What is the difference between licensure and certification?
With licensure, a health care professional within a given field is required, by law, to hold a state-issued license authorizing that person to practice. Certification is a voluntary professional standing that is usually obtained by paying a fee, passing an examination, or both, and is generally issued by a professional organization. It is usually not legally required or binding, unless sanctioned by your state.
Licensure is aimed at entry-level practitioners and focuses on the minimum requirements and competency level necessary to practise safely and effectively. Thus, licensure is more than a statement of qualification; it acknowledges who has the minimal competencies to practise. Certification is typically a voluntary process by which a non-governmental entity grants a time-limited recognition and use of a credential to an individual after verifying that he/she has met predetermined and standardized criteria. It is the vehicle that a profession or occupation uses to differentiate among its members, using standards based on existing legal and psychometric requirements.
Related Questions
- Is the NCCA licensure and board certification the same as (or equivalent to) a state’s Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) certification?
- How can I find clinical supervision to fulfill that requirement for state licensure and board certification?
- Can DCJS grant a temporary exemption from the requirements for licensure, certification, or registration?
