diff --git a/lang/en/certificate.php b/lang/en/certificate.php
index 88e9d34..d90abf9 100644
--- a/lang/en/certificate.php
+++ b/lang/en/certificate.php
@@ -201,4 +201,6 @@ $string['verifycertificate'] = 'Verify Certificate';
 $string['viewcertificateviews'] = 'View {$a} issued certificates';
 $string['viewed'] = 'You received this certificate on:';
 $string['viewtranscript'] = 'View Certificates';
-$string['watermark'] = 'Watermark';
\ No newline at end of file
+$string['watermark'] = 'Watermark';
+$string['completionrequired'] = "<p><strong>You have not completed the course.</strong></p><br/>
+<p>While the criteria for course completion are not met, the certificate can not be issued.</p>";
diff --git a/view.php b/view.php
index e251af1..283d71c 100644
--- a/view.php
+++ b/view.php
@@ -84,6 +84,12 @@ if ($certificate->requiredtime && !has_capability('mod/certificate:manage', $con
     }
 }
 
+// Check if the user has completed the course
+if (!$completion->is_course_complete($USER->id) && !has_capability('mod/certificate:manage', $context)) {
+    notice(get_string('completionrequired','certificate'), "$CFG->wwwroot/course/view.php?id=$course->id");
+    die;
+}
+
 // Create new certificate record, or return existing record
 $certrecord = certificate_get_issue($course, $USER, $certificate, $cm);