diff --git a/lms/envs/aws.py b/lms/envs/aws.py
index d16dcd6b4a..5e9327376d 100644
--- a/lms/envs/aws.py
+++ b/lms/envs/aws.py
@@ -762,3 +762,7 @@ MAX_BOOKMARKS_PER_COURSE = ENV_TOKENS.get('MAX_BOOKMARKS_PER_COURSE', MAX_BOOKMA
 # Cutoff date for granting audit certificates
 if ENV_TOKENS.get('AUDIT_CERT_CUTOFF_DATE', None):
     AUDIT_CERT_CUTOFF_DATE = dateutil.parser.parse(ENV_TOKENS.get('AUDIT_CERT_CUTOFF_DATE'))
+
+################################ Settings for Credentials Service ################################
+
+CREDENTIALS_GENERATION_ROUTING_KEY = HIGH_PRIORITY_QUEUE
diff --git a/lms/envs/common.py b/lms/envs/common.py
index 77cc19ea38..72c63f3cf0 100644
--- a/lms/envs/common.py
+++ b/lms/envs/common.py
@@ -2768,3 +2768,4 @@ AUDIT_CERT_CUTOFF_DATE = None
 ################################ Settings for Credentials Service ################################
 
 CREDENTIALS_SERVICE_USERNAME = 'credentials_service_user'
+CREDENTIALS_GENERATION_ROUTING_KEY = HIGH_PRIORITY_QUEUE
diff --git a/lms/envs/yaml_config.py b/lms/envs/yaml_config.py
index 5b8fbdfdcd..c798c3d744 100644
--- a/lms/envs/yaml_config.py
+++ b/lms/envs/yaml_config.py
@@ -313,3 +313,7 @@ if FEATURES.get('INDIVIDUAL_DUE_DATES'):
 if FEATURES.get('ENABLE_LTI_PROVIDER'):
     INSTALLED_APPS += ('lti_provider',)
     AUTHENTICATION_BACKENDS += ('lti_provider.users.LtiBackend', )
+
+################################ Settings for Credentials Service ################################
+
+CREDENTIALS_GENERATION_ROUTING_KEY = HIGH_PRIORITY_QUEUE
diff --git a/openedx/core/djangoapps/programs/tasks/v1/tasks.py b/openedx/core/djangoapps/programs/tasks/v1/tasks.py
index a7781bf79b..288b6cfb1d 100644
--- a/openedx/core/djangoapps/programs/tasks/v1/tasks.py
+++ b/openedx/core/djangoapps/programs/tasks/v1/tasks.py
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ from openedx.core.lib.token_utils import get_id_token
 
 
 LOGGER = get_task_logger(__name__)
+# Under cms the following setting is not defined, leading to errors during tests.
+ROUTING_KEY = getattr(settings, 'CREDENTIALS_GENERATION_ROUTING_KEY', None)
 
 
 def get_api_client(api_config, student):
@@ -115,7 +117,7 @@ def award_program_certificate(client, username, program_id):
     })
 
 
-@task(bind=True, ignore_result=True)
+@task(bind=True, ignore_result=True, routing_key=ROUTING_KEY)
 def award_program_certificates(self, username):
     """
     This task is designed to be called whenever a student's completion status