Professional License vs. Certification: Key
Differences
1. What is the primary distinction between a professional license and a professional certification?
A) A license is voluntary; a certification is mandatory
B) A license is granted by the government and legally required; a certification is typically voluntary and
granted by a non-governmental entity
C) A license demonstrates knowledge; a certification demonstrates skill
D) There is no meaningful difference between the two
Answer: B
Rationale: The key distinction is that licenses are legally required by the government to work in an
occupation, while certifications are not. Licensure is the mandatory process by which a governmental
agency grants permission to practice.
2. Which entity typically grants a professional license?
A) A professional association
B) A commercial testing company
C) A governmental agency
D) An employer
Answer: C
Rationale: Licenses are granted by authoritative governmental bodies. The competent authority for
recognizing professional qualifications is generally the appropriate state or territorial licensing authority.
3. Which entity typically grants a professional certification?
A) A governmental agency
B) A non-governmental entity such as a professional organization or commercial entity
C) The federal government only
D) A court of law
Answer: B
,Rationale: Certification is conferred by an independent agency or organization, which is often a
professional organization or commercial entity.
4. Is a professional license typically mandatory or voluntary to practice an occupation?
A) Voluntary
B) Mandatory
C) Optional depending on the employer
D) Neither
Answer: B
Rationale: Licenses are mandatory to legally practice an occupation. Licensure prohibits anyone from
practicing the profession who is not licensed.
5. Is a professional certification typically mandatory or voluntary to practice an occupation?
A) Mandatory
B) Voluntary
C) Required by all employers
D) Legally enforceable in all states
Answer: B
Rationale: Certification is typically a voluntary credential that is not required by an authoritative body. It
is a voluntary process by which a non-governmental entity grants recognition.
6. Under the licensure system, who defines the tasks, functions, and scope of practice for a profession?
A) The professional association
B) The individual practitioner
C) The state, by statute
D) The employer
Answer: C
Rationale: Under the licensure system, states define, by statute, the tasks and function or scope of
practice.
,7. What is the primary purpose of professional licensure?
A) To generate revenue for the government
B) To protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public
C) To promote the profession's image
D) To increase competition
Answer: B
Rationale: Licensure is the most restrictive form of credentialing with the primary purpose of protecting
the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
8. What is the legal basis for a state to grant a professional license?
A) The commerce clause
B) The state's police powers
C) Federal law
D) International treaty
Answer: B
Rationale: Licensure is the state's grant of legal authority, pursuant to the state's police powers, to
practice a profession within a designated scope of practice.
9. Which of the following is true about the relationship between certification and licensure?
A) Certification is always required before licensure
B) Certification can be a prerequisite for licensure or, in some cases, an alternative
C) Certification and licensure are mutually exclusive
D) Licensure is always required before certification
Answer: B
Rationale: Certification can be a prerequisite for licensure or, in some cases, an alternative.
10. A person who is certified by a private organization but not licensed by the state:
A) May legally practice the profession in all states
B) Is prohibited from practicing the profession if the state requires a license
, C) Has the same legal authority as a licensed practitioner
D) May practice only under supervision
Answer: B
Rationale: Licensure prohibits anyone from practicing the profession who is not licensed, regardless of
whether or not the individual has been certified by a private organization.
11. Which credential is typically time-limited and must be renewed periodically?
A) Only licenses
B) Only certifications
C) Both licenses and certifications
D) Neither
Answer: C
Rationale: Licensure is the mandatory process by which a governmental agency grants time-limited
permission. Professional certification grants a time-limited recognition. Licenses and certifications are
usually valid for a limited term and must be renewed periodically.
12. What is the scope of practice for a licensed professional?
A) Determined by the individual professional
B) Unlimited and unrestricted
C) Designated by the state statute
D) Determined by the employer
Answer: C
Rationale: Licensure is the state's grant of legal authority to practice a profession within a designated
scope of practice.
13. Which of the following is an example of a licensed profession?
A) Certified Project Manager (PMP)
B) Registered Nurse (RN)
C) Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
D) Certified Public Accountant (CPA) without a state license
Differences
1. What is the primary distinction between a professional license and a professional certification?
A) A license is voluntary; a certification is mandatory
B) A license is granted by the government and legally required; a certification is typically voluntary and
granted by a non-governmental entity
C) A license demonstrates knowledge; a certification demonstrates skill
D) There is no meaningful difference between the two
Answer: B
Rationale: The key distinction is that licenses are legally required by the government to work in an
occupation, while certifications are not. Licensure is the mandatory process by which a governmental
agency grants permission to practice.
2. Which entity typically grants a professional license?
A) A professional association
B) A commercial testing company
C) A governmental agency
D) An employer
Answer: C
Rationale: Licenses are granted by authoritative governmental bodies. The competent authority for
recognizing professional qualifications is generally the appropriate state or territorial licensing authority.
3. Which entity typically grants a professional certification?
A) A governmental agency
B) A non-governmental entity such as a professional organization or commercial entity
C) The federal government only
D) A court of law
Answer: B
,Rationale: Certification is conferred by an independent agency or organization, which is often a
professional organization or commercial entity.
4. Is a professional license typically mandatory or voluntary to practice an occupation?
A) Voluntary
B) Mandatory
C) Optional depending on the employer
D) Neither
Answer: B
Rationale: Licenses are mandatory to legally practice an occupation. Licensure prohibits anyone from
practicing the profession who is not licensed.
5. Is a professional certification typically mandatory or voluntary to practice an occupation?
A) Mandatory
B) Voluntary
C) Required by all employers
D) Legally enforceable in all states
Answer: B
Rationale: Certification is typically a voluntary credential that is not required by an authoritative body. It
is a voluntary process by which a non-governmental entity grants recognition.
6. Under the licensure system, who defines the tasks, functions, and scope of practice for a profession?
A) The professional association
B) The individual practitioner
C) The state, by statute
D) The employer
Answer: C
Rationale: Under the licensure system, states define, by statute, the tasks and function or scope of
practice.
,7. What is the primary purpose of professional licensure?
A) To generate revenue for the government
B) To protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public
C) To promote the profession's image
D) To increase competition
Answer: B
Rationale: Licensure is the most restrictive form of credentialing with the primary purpose of protecting
the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
8. What is the legal basis for a state to grant a professional license?
A) The commerce clause
B) The state's police powers
C) Federal law
D) International treaty
Answer: B
Rationale: Licensure is the state's grant of legal authority, pursuant to the state's police powers, to
practice a profession within a designated scope of practice.
9. Which of the following is true about the relationship between certification and licensure?
A) Certification is always required before licensure
B) Certification can be a prerequisite for licensure or, in some cases, an alternative
C) Certification and licensure are mutually exclusive
D) Licensure is always required before certification
Answer: B
Rationale: Certification can be a prerequisite for licensure or, in some cases, an alternative.
10. A person who is certified by a private organization but not licensed by the state:
A) May legally practice the profession in all states
B) Is prohibited from practicing the profession if the state requires a license
, C) Has the same legal authority as a licensed practitioner
D) May practice only under supervision
Answer: B
Rationale: Licensure prohibits anyone from practicing the profession who is not licensed, regardless of
whether or not the individual has been certified by a private organization.
11. Which credential is typically time-limited and must be renewed periodically?
A) Only licenses
B) Only certifications
C) Both licenses and certifications
D) Neither
Answer: C
Rationale: Licensure is the mandatory process by which a governmental agency grants time-limited
permission. Professional certification grants a time-limited recognition. Licenses and certifications are
usually valid for a limited term and must be renewed periodically.
12. What is the scope of practice for a licensed professional?
A) Determined by the individual professional
B) Unlimited and unrestricted
C) Designated by the state statute
D) Determined by the employer
Answer: C
Rationale: Licensure is the state's grant of legal authority to practice a profession within a designated
scope of practice.
13. Which of the following is an example of a licensed profession?
A) Certified Project Manager (PMP)
B) Registered Nurse (RN)
C) Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
D) Certified Public Accountant (CPA) without a state license
