Government authorization to practice a certain skill is called what?

• A. Licensure
• B. Certification
• C. Registration
• D. Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Answer: (A)

Licensure is the government authorization to practice a profession. It comes from a regulatory body and means you meet specific requirements—such as approved education and passing a standardized exam—plus sometimes background checks. Once you’re licensed, you’re legally permitted to perform the professional tasks within that field; practicing without licensure is typically illegal and subject to penalties. Licensure exists to protect the public by ensuring a baseline level of competence.

Certification, on the other hand, is a credential offered by a professional organization to prove competence in a specialty. It’s often voluntary (though some employers require it) and does not by itself grant legal permission to practice.

Registration is merely being listed on an official roster. It indicates you’re recognized by a regulatory body but doesn’t necessarily prove competency or authorize practice on its own.

Continued education units (CEUs) are credits earned to maintain licensure or certification, helping professionals stay up to date, but they are not the permission to practice.