Difference between Certification & Licensure

[bjcheung77]

Sometimes I get questions in regards to the difference between being Certified and/or Licensed in a profession or vocation...
So, instead of typing a short answer each and every time, I'm just sharing this for those who still are a bit confused...

Below is the first two or three sentences from the website here: https://internationalcredentialing.org/lic-cert
It pretty much gives a basic picture of the differences... I would just read the web page if you need more details.

Certification

"A certification is typically a voluntary process, although certification can be mandatory or required to practice in certain states. Certification is often provided by a private organization for the purpose of providing the public protection on those individuals who have successfully met all requirements for the credential and demonstrated their ability to perform their profession competently."

Licensure

"A license is a state’s grant of legal authority to practice a profession within a designated scope of practice.  It is required in order to practice or to call oneself a licensed professional..." "Licensing can also be thought of as mandatory certification."

[nomaduser]

Certificate proves that you have taken courses or training.

License proves that you have taken courses or training AND you have legal right to work in that job field.

Some job fields require licenses. Some job fields are okay with just certificates.

[BBryant165]

Certificate proves that you have taken courses or training.

License proves that you have taken courses or training AND you have legal right to work in that job field.

Some job fields require licenses. Some job fields are okay with just certificates.

Nomad and Bj, Thanks for posting. I think the defined answer and the association are helpful. To add to the topic certified vs. licensed generally apply to vocational "service" trades. I say service trades because these differ from the apprentice, journeyman, senior, master trades such as welding, masonry, etc. you wont find a certified welder, however a master welder is generally licensed.  The requirements for entry level employment vary by state in the U.S. and they vary further between trades. For instance a certified cosmetologist has attended a beauty school and learned the trade of cutting, dying, etc of hair. However if you go into an eye care center the sales rep in states that require it are generally certified opticians, in North Carolina and Virginia for instance in a private practice you are allowed as many certified opticians as you staff can handle but you must have AT LEAST one licensed optician on site. Many times this comes down to the legalities for businesses to conduct their business with a consumer rather than the legality for the individual. Licensures pay more in states that require them because there are many more certified individuals.