A certificate in Skillsive is built from a few reusable parts: a PDF template, an instructor signature, a registry type and an assignment that links them to a course. Set them up once, and every trainee who completes the course can get a numbered, digitally signed certificate.
Available to organization Admins.
Where to find certificates
In the sidebar, open Certificates. It has six entries:
- Overview — counts of everything you have set up, the setup progress and the list of assignments.
- Certificate registry — every certificate you have issued.
- Certificate templates — PDF files with fields for the trainee's name, dates, number and the QR code.
- Instructor signatures — the signature, stamp and details of the person who signs the certificates.
- Certificate registry types — numbering, for example
NWL-BHP/2026/112. - Certificate assignments — which template, signature and registry type are used for which course.
Each entry opens a tab of the same Certificates page, so you can also switch between them with the tabs at the top. The page address changes with the tab (for example ?tab=issued for the registry), so you can bookmark the section you use most.
The fastest way: the setup wizard
On Overview, the setup card shows what is still missing. Click Set it up step by step to go through the whole setup in four steps: Signature, Registry, Template and Assignment. Once everything is in place, the card says Certificates are configured, and Configure another assignment starts the wizard again for the next course.
The wizard is described step by step in Certificate setup wizard.
Setting it up yourself: recommended order
If you prefer to create each part in its own section, follow this order:
- 1Prepare a clean PDF file that will be the certificate background.
- 2Create an instructor signature, if the certificate should show a signature, stamp or instructor details.
- 3Create a registry type that sets the certificate numbering.
- 4Create a certificate template and place the fields and the QR code on it.
- 5Create a certificate assignment that links the template, signature, registry type and, optionally, a course.
- 6Issue certificates — one by one, from a course completion, or in bulk for a group or a training.
- 7Check them in the certificate registry.
Without an assignment, Skillsive does not know which template, signature and registry type to use, so no certificate can be issued.
Course or manual certificate
An assignment works in one of two ways:
- With course — you issue the certificate once the trainee completes the course. Skillsive fills in the trainee and completion data.
- Without course — you issue the certificate manually from the Certificate registry. Use this for training delivered outside Skillsive.
Trainee signature and digital signature
If the template contains a trainee signature field, the certificate waits for the trainee to sign. You can collect the signature when issuing or later from the registry. See How trainee signature works.
Every finished certificate is digitally signed — by default with the Skillsive platform key, or with your own key if you upload one. See Digitally signed certificates and your own key.
Prepare before you start
- a clean, unsigned PDF file,
- which data should appear on the certificate,
- the certificate number format,
- the instructor's details, signature and, optionally, a stamp,
- whether the trainee should sign the certificate,
- which courses the certificate is for.
FAQ
Do I have to use the wizard?
No. The wizard creates the same records as the separate sections. Use whichever is easier for you.
Is an instructor signature required?
No. You can skip it in the wizard and leave the Signature field empty in an assignment. Only the template is required.
Can one course have more than one certificate?
Yes. You can link several templates to one course, for example a participation certificate and a competency certificate. Create a separate assignment for each.
Who can open the certificates section?
Only organization Admins. Other roles cannot open these pages.