Certificate: Programs listed as certificates will provide a student a certificate of completion at the end of their course. This can be used as proof that the student passed the program with a grade of 70 or higher in each module of study. Certification: Programs listed as certifications prepare a student to take a national certification exam after the program is completed. Usually, the cost of a certification exam is not included in the price of a course unless specified. Certification exams are proctored by third party companies located across the United States.