A language certificate on a CV is only as useful as your ability to confirm it is genuine. This guide covers how to verify the most common certificates, what to do when a certificate cannot be confirmed, and what to look for from less familiar providers.
How to verify specific certificates
IELTS verification is done through IELTS Verify at ieltsverify.britishcouncil.org. You need the candidate's Test Report Form (TRF) number and date of birth. The system shows the test date, scores for each skill, and the overall band. Results are available for two years from the test date.
Examinizer certificates are verified at examinizer.net/verify/. Enter the 12-character code from the certificate PDF. The system shows the candidate's name, the test taken, their CEFR level, score, and date of issue. Verification takes about 10 seconds and results never expire.
Cambridge certificates are verified through Cambridge Assessment's online portal or by contacting them directly. The candidate's statement of results includes a reference number used for verification.
TOEFL results are verified through ETS at ets.org. Scores are available for two years from the test date.
Goethe Institut certificates are verified by contacting the issuing centre directly. Goethe does not have a central online verification system, so verification requires the exam date, location, and candidate number.
What makes a certificate verifiable
A verifiable certificate has three things: a unique identifier tied to a specific result, a system that an employer can query with that identifier, and a named issuing organisation that stands behind the result.
Certificates without a unique code, or from organisations with no verification system, cannot be confirmed. A PDF with a name and level but no reference number is essentially self-reported.
What to do when a certificate cannot be verified
Ask the candidate for the original PDF and the testing centre contact details. If the certificate was issued by a recognised body, the candidate should have the reference number needed for online verification.
If still unconfirmed, conduct a language assessment in the interview. Ask them to write a short email in the target language, or participate in part of the interview in that language. This gives direct evidence of their current level regardless of the certificate.
Certificates to treat with caution
Red flags: no named institution, no unique verification code, certificates issued within minutes of payment, no record findable in any searchable database. If a certificate from an unfamiliar provider cannot be verified and the issuing organisation is not identifiable, treat it as unverified.
Verify an Examinizer certificate
Enter the 12-character code. Takes 10 seconds.
Verify a CertificateFAQ
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