What is the difference between licensure and certification?

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

The difference between licensure and certification is that while both document education, training process, or overall ability to complete a job, licensure is often legally required to work in certain industries, and certification is not a legal requirement.

Certification and licensure represent that someone can do a job per standards met through programs or tests. Often, these words are used interchangeably, but there are differences.

Licensure is issued by a state or national board and represents the fulfillment of legal requirements at a local, state, and federal level. Education institutions often issue certifications, which may not be legally required to begin working.