diff --git a/sql/039a-switch-certifications-column.sql b/sql/039a-switch-certifications-column.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aac8585
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sql/039a-switch-certifications-column.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+-- Migration 039a — Add certifications column to switches table
+-- The core table creation (002) omitted this column; added here before the seed (040).
+
+ALTER TABLE switches
+  ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS certifications TEXT[] DEFAULT '{}';