CMID Practice Test

Licensure is the act of a government entity granting legal permission to practice a specific occupation after confirming that the person meets required criteria, such as education, a qualifying exam, and sometimes ongoing competency standards. This formal permission is typically mandatory to legally offer services to the public, and practicing without it can be illegal.

This is different from accreditation, which looks at whether an institution or program meets established standards rather than whether an individual is authorized to work. Certification, usually awarded by professional bodies, verifies that a person has demonstrated a certain level of competence but does not by itself provide legal permission to practice. A credential is a broad term that can refer to licenses, certificates, degrees, or other proofs of qualification.