Alison has launched Certify Now, a new option that lets Learners who already have the relevant skills go directly to a course’s final assessment and, if they pass, obtain a Certificate without first completing the full course.
Released on the Alison website to everyone on 26 May 2026, Certify Now is designed for people who are confident in what they know and need a faster way to prove it. The feature gives experienced Learners a more direct route to recognised proof of skill, while keeping the final assessment as the standard for earning a Certificate.
A Faster Route For Existing Skills
Many Alison Learners arrive with knowledge they have already built through work, previous study, self-directed learning or practical experience. Certify Now gives those Learners a practical choice: review a course as usual, or move straight to the final assessment when they feel ready.
For skilled Learners, that can mean less time spent revisiting familiar material and more time focused on securing the proof they need for a job application, career move, workplace requirement or personal record.
Built For Learners Who Are Ready To Prove It
Certify Now is aimed primarily at Learners who believe they already understand the subject and simply need a Certificate to show that knowledge. By keeping the final assessment at the centre of the process, Alison is making the route faster without removing the need to demonstrate competence.
The feature also reflects a wider shift in online learning, where many adults want flexible skills recognition. For these Learners, the value is not only in access to learning, but also in having more control over how quickly they can prove what they know.
More Choice In How Skills Are Recognised
Certify Now adds another route through Alison’s learning experience. Learners who want to build knowledge step by step can continue to work through courses in full. Those who already feel prepared can use Certify Now to test their readiness and move more quickly towards certification.
This gives Learners more flexibility while supporting Alison’s broader focus on practical, accessible skills development. It also helps make certification more responsive to the different ways adults gain knowledge.
Ends
Resources
Alison provides a range of online learning and career development tools focused on developing skills and improving employability. For Learners using Certify Now, relevant resources include free, fully online Certificate and Diploma courses, along with Certificates that can help demonstrate completed learning.
About Alison
Alison is a global leader in free online learning and skills development. With over 50 million registered Learners across 193 countries (as of October 2025), Alison empowers individuals, communities, and organisations to upskill quickly and effectively – at zero cost.
The Alison platform provides immediate access to over 6,000 free, CPD-accredited courses, covering essential areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, Project Management, Business Operations, Healthcare and Sustainability. Courses are created by a mix of independent experts and global leaders, including IBM, Stanford and Microsoft.
For organisations, Alison offers a Free Learning Management System (LMS) that enables unlimited Learners to access thousands of courses with no upfront cost. A premium version with advanced analytics and customisation is also available. Alison's offering includes a full suite of assessments and psychometric tools, including a Workplace Personality Assessment, Mental Health & Wellbeing Assessment, English Language Proficiency Test, as well as Numerical, Verbal, and Abstract Reasoning tests.
To further support career development, Learners also gain access to a Career Guide, a Resumé Builder, and the ability to study offline through the Alison App.
In 2026, Alison will launch a Global Recruitment Service to directly connect skilled, motivated Learners with hiring employers. The platform is also expanding its reach with multilingual versions, starting with complete Spanish, French, and Hindi offerings — reaffirming its mission to make education accessible to anyone, anywhere.
Founded in 2007, Alison pioneered the concept of free, large-scale online learning and is recognised as the world’s first MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) platform. Today, its mission continues: to break down barriers to learning, helping people gain skills, build confidence, and improve their lives — no matter where they live or what they earn.
