Difference between Certification & Licensure

[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.