is a certificate of participation an award?

Question

is a certificate of participation considered an award?Like if u r asked to list all your awards in life, can u say this as one of them?
if it is written on a piece of paper very fancy with your name on it and it is for participation,can u call it an award?

Answer 1

Sometimes yes, mostly no.

Many times a certificate is given out to everyone so they don't go home feeling bad. If there were people who ranked one, two, three and such and the rest got certificates, then this is no award and you will look bad using it on a resume or such.

If it was like a training class and you got a certificate for attending, then yes you can think of it as an award or use it on your resume.

If it's something so tough that just participating is a great achievement (lets say making the national spelling bee) then yes you could use it with pride.

If you have any doubts then no, it isn't an award.