10 Easy Licenses and Certifications to Get in 2026

Why Easy Credentials Are a Smart Career Move in 2026

You don’t need to spend years in school or thousands of dollars to earn a credential that actually moves the needle on your career. Some of the most valuable licenses and certifications in 2026 can be completed in a single afternoon. Others take just a few months of part-time study.

The difference between a license and a certification matters for job seekers. A license is a legal authorization from a government agency that allows you to perform a specific activity (think real estate, notarizing documents, or selling insurance). A certification is a credential from an organization or company that proves you’ve mastered specific skills. Both carry weight with employers, and the best strategy often involves combining them.

According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, employers expect 39% of core skills to change by 2030. That means professionals who invest in new credentials now will have a significant edge over those who wait.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the fastest-growing occupations through 2034 are concentrated in technology, data, cybersecurity, and healthcare. The good news? You can break into many of these fields with the right certification and no degree.

If you’ve been wondering what certification you should get, this guide covers 10 genuinely easy options, split evenly between five licenses and five certifications. We’ve organized them from quickest to longest so you can find the right fit.

By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly which credentials match your goals, how long each one takes, and where to get started.

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5 Easy Licenses You Can Get in 2026

Licenses are issued by government agencies and give you legal authorization to work in specific roles. These five are among the most accessible and don’t require a college degree.

1. ServSafe Food Handler Permit

Best for: Anyone working in or entering the food service industry

The ServSafe Food Handler program is one of the easiest and most affordable credentials you can earn, period. Most states require or strongly prefer this permit for anyone handling food in restaurants, catering operations, food trucks, and cafeterias.

• Timeline: About 2 hours (online course plus assessment)
• Cost: Around $15 to $20
• Format: Self-paced online course with a 40-question assessment (75% passing score)
• What you’ll learn: Basic food safety, personal hygiene, cross-contamination prevention, time and temperature control
• Career paths: Line cook, server, food prep worker, caterer, food truck operator

This is the single fastest credential on our list. You can literally start and finish it today. Many employers will reimburse you for the cost, and in states like California, Texas, and Illinois, food handler training is legally required.

2. Notary Public Commission

Best for: Administrative professionals, freelancers, or anyone wanting flexible side income

Becoming a Notary Public is one of the easiest professional licenses you can get. Requirements vary by state, but most only require a short training course (as little as 3 to 6 hours), a simple exam, and a small application fee.

• Timeline: A few days to a few weeks depending on your state
• Cost: $50 to $300 total (training, exam, application, bond, and supplies)
• Format: Online or in-person training course, state application process
• What you’ll learn: Notarial law, proper identification verification, oath administration, document authentication
• Career paths: Notary Public, mobile notary, loan signing agent, administrative support

Here’s what makes this license especially valuable: you can combine it with a loan signing agent specialty and earn $75 to $200 per signing appointment. Mobile notaries who travel to clients often command even higher fees. It’s also a fantastic add-on credential for anyone in administrative, legal, or real estate roles.

Interview Guys Tip: Some states like Washington don’t even require an exam to become a notary. Do a quick search for your state’s specific requirements before assuming the process will be difficult. You might be surprised how straightforward it is.

3. Security Guard License

Best for: Anyone looking for steady, in-demand work with minimal barriers to entry

A security guard license (sometimes called a guard card or registration) is issued by your state and qualifies you for unarmed security positions. The training is short, the demand is strong, and many employers provide additional on-the-job training after you’re licensed.

• Timeline: 1 to 4 weeks depending on your state
• Cost: $100 to $400 total (training course, application, fingerprinting, and background check)
• Format: In-person or online state-approved training, then a state application
• What you’ll learn: Legal authority and limitations, emergency procedures, report writing, conflict de-escalation, patrol techniques
• Career paths: Unarmed security guard, corporate security officer, event security, retail loss prevention

Requirements vary by state. For example, Florida requires 40 hours of training for an unarmed (Class D) license, while California requires just 8 hours of initial training with additional hours completed on the job. Some states like Texas can have you licensed after a single day of training. The BLS projects steady growth in security roles, and the median pay for security guards was over $36,000 per year as of the most recent data.

4. Life and Health Insurance License

Best for: Sales-oriented professionals who want commission-based earning potential

A life and health insurance license allows you to sell life insurance policies, annuities, health plans, disability coverage, and long-term care insurance. It’s one of the most accessible professional licenses available, and the earning potential is significant for people who are good at building relationships.

• Timeline: 2 to 6 weeks of part-time study
• Cost: $200 to $700 total (pre-licensing course, exam fee, application, and background check)
• Format: Online or in-person pre-licensing education (20 to 40 hours depending on your state), then a state-administered exam
• What you’ll learn: Life insurance products, health insurance regulations, ethics, state insurance law
• Career paths: Insurance agent, benefits advisor, financial services representative, independent broker

Most states require you to complete pre-licensing education and pass a state exam with a score of 60% to 70%. The exam consists of 100 to 150 multiple-choice questions. First-time pass rates hover around 55% to 67%, so studying with a dedicated prep course from providers like Kaplan Financial makes a real difference.

What makes this license stand out is the earning model. Many insurance positions are commission-based with no income ceiling. Top producers regularly earn six figures, and you can often work remotely or set your own schedule.

5. Real Estate Salesperson License

Best for: Self-starters who want uncapped earning potential and schedule flexibility

Getting your real estate license is one of the most well-known professional licenses in the country. Requirements vary by state, but most require a pre-licensing course (40 to 180 hours depending on your state), passing a state exam, and a background check. No college degree needed.

• Timeline: 3 to 6 months depending on your state and pace
• Cost: $300 to $1,500 total (including course, exam, application, and initial fees)
• Format: Online or in-person pre-licensing courses, then a state-administered exam
• What you’ll learn: Real estate law, property valuation, contracts, ethics, financing
• Career paths: Real estate agent, property manager, leasing consultant, real estate investor

The earning potential here is what sets this license apart. You can check your specific state’s requirements through the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) directory to find your state licensing board. Florida, for example, requires 63 hours of pre-licensing education and can be completed in about 10 weeks total.

Interview Guys Tip: Many people earn their real estate license while still working their day job. The pre-licensing courses are available online and self-paced in most states, so you can study evenings and weekends without disrupting your current income.

Here’s what most people don’t realize: employers now expect multiple technical competencies, not just one specialization. The days of being “just a marketer” or “just an analyst” are over. You need AI skills, project management, data literacy, and more. Building that skill stack one $49 course at a time is expensive and slow. That’s why unlimited access makes sense:

5 Easy Certifications to Get in 2026

Unlike licenses, certifications are earned through organizations or companies rather than government agencies. These five are all designed for complete beginners and can be completed at your own pace. They’re perfect for career starters, career changers, or anyone building toward certifications that actually pay well.

6. CPR/First Aid/AED Certification

Best for: Healthcare workers, teachers, coaches, childcare workers, and anyone who wants a versatile credential

The American Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED certification is one of the most widely recognized credentials in the country. It’s required for dozens of professions and looks great on virtually any resume.

• Timeline: A few hours (online, in-person, or blended learning options)
• Cost: Around $35 online, or $80 to $100 for in-person with workplace certification
• Format: Online self-paced, instructor-led, or blended learning
• What you’ll learn: Adult, child, and infant CPR, first aid for common emergencies, AED operation
• Career paths: Healthcare aide, teacher, childcare provider, fitness instructor, lifeguard, security officer

Your certification is valid for two years. If you work in healthcare, education, fitness, childcare, or any public-facing role, this credential is practically a requirement. Even if it’s not, it signals responsibility and preparedness to employers. If you’re looking for easy certifications to get online, this is one of the fastest options available.

7. Google IT Support Professional Certificate

Best for: Breaking into the tech industry with zero background

This is one of the most popular entry points into tech. Google designed it for people with no prior experience, and it covers the fundamentals of troubleshooting, customer service, networking, operating systems, and security.

• Timeline: About 6 months at 10 hours per week
• Format: Self-paced online courses with hands-on labs
• What you’ll learn: Computer networking, operating systems, system administration, cybersecurity basics, cloud computing
• Career paths: IT support specialist, help desk technician, systems administrator

Completers get access to Google’s Employer Consortium, which includes companies like Target, Verizon, and Wells Fargo actively hiring certificate graduates. And if you want to go further into tech, this certificate builds a solid foundation for pursuing the best AI certifications for 2026.

👉 Start the Google IT Support Professional Certificate on Coursera

8. Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate

Best for: Anyone curious about working with data

Data analytics is consistently ranked among the best certifications for jobs that pay well. This program teaches you the fundamentals from scratch, including spreadsheets, SQL, R programming, and Tableau through hands-on projects.

• Timeline: About 6 months at 10 hours per week
• Format: Self-paced with real-world case studies
• What you’ll learn: Data cleaning, analysis, visualization, and presentation
• Career paths: Junior data analyst, business analyst, operations analyst

According to LinkedIn’s Workplace Learning Report, analytical thinking is the number one skill employers are prioritizing heading into 2026. This certificate directly builds that capability.

👉 Start the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate on Coursera

Interview Guys Tip: If you’re not sure whether data analytics is right for you, Google lets you audit the first course for free. Try it for a week before committing. It’s a zero-risk way to test whether you enjoy working with data.

9. Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Professional Certificate

Best for: Creative thinkers who want marketable digital skills

Digital marketing remains one of the easiest fields to break into without a degree. This program covers SEO, SEM, email marketing, social media strategy, and e-commerce fundamentals through portfolio-building projects.

• Timeline: About 6 months at 10 hours per week
• Format: Self-paced with portfolio projects
• What you’ll learn: Search engine optimization, analytics, social media advertising, customer engagement
• Career paths: Digital marketing coordinator, SEO specialist, e-commerce analyst

You’ll walk away with a portfolio of real marketing campaigns and the skills to show employers you can drive measurable results. If you’re looking for quick certifications that pay well, this is a strong pick.

👉 Start the Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Professional Certificate on Coursera

10. Google Project Management Professional Certificate

Best for: Organized professionals who want a structured career path

Project management skills translate to virtually every industry. This certificate teaches you Agile methodology, stakeholder management, and how to lead projects from planning through completion.

• Timeline: About 6 months at 10 hours per week
• Format: Self-paced with practical exercises
• What you’ll learn: Project planning, risk management, Agile, Scrum
• Career paths: Project coordinator, project manager, operations manager

This certificate also prepares you for the PMI Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) exam. That means you can potentially earn two credentials from one study path, which is a huge efficiency win for your resume.

👉 Start the Google Project Management Professional Certificate on Coursera

How to Choose the Right Credential for You

With 10 options on the table, the key is matching a credential to where you are right now. Here’s a quick framework:

• Need something today? A ServSafe Food Handler permit or CPR/First Aid certification can be done in hours and immediately expand your job options.
• Want flexible side income? A Notary Public commission (especially combined with loan signing) lets you earn on your own schedule.
• Looking for steady, reliable work? A security guard license gets you into one of the most in-demand fields with minimal startup time.
• Want uncapped commissions? An insurance license or real estate license both offer high earning potential for people who are good with relationships and self-motivated.
• Breaking into tech, data, or marketing? The Google certificates are designed for complete beginners and open doors to high-paying careers.

The World Economic Forum projects 78 million net new jobs globally by 2030, and many of them will reward exactly these kinds of credentials.

Once you’ve earned your credential, make sure you know how to list certifications on a resume so hiring managers actually notice them. And if you’re building a multi-credential strategy, check out our guide to certifications for your resume in 2026 for tips on stacking credentials strategically.

Start Building Your Credential Stack Today

The barriers to earning a career-changing credential have never been lower. You can get your ServSafe permit during a lunch break, earn your CPR certification on a Saturday morning, or start a Google certificate tonight from your couch.

The professionals who thrive in 2026 won’t be the ones who waited for the perfect moment. They’ll be the ones who picked a credential, blocked out the time, and got it done.

Whether you’re chasing your first job, pivoting careers, or stacking credentials for a promotion, at least one option on this list fits your situation right now. Choose it, commit to it, and get started.

Your future resume will thank you.

Here’s what most people don’t realize: employers now expect multiple technical competencies, not just one specialization. The days of being “just a marketer” or “just an analyst” are over. You need AI skills, project management, data literacy, and more. Building that skill stack one $49 course at a time is expensive and slow. That’s why unlimited access makes sense:

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