Final answer:
Licensure is the process where an organization grants permission to practice a profession via a license that indicates the fulfillment of certain education and testing criteria. It is a means to ensure quality and safety in professions that have significant impacts on public welfare.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an organization, such as a board or a government agency, grants a title or license to grant permission to practice in a chosen profession, this process is known as licensure. Licensure is an important function for establishing standards of quality in various professions, such as healthcare, engineering, and education. Professionals, including doctors, teachers, nurses, engineers, accountants, and lawyers, often require licenses to legally operate in their respective fields.
In the context of the labor market, occupational licenses signify that an individual has met certain educational requirements or has passed necessary examinations to demonstrate their competency in their profession. This form of licensure is designed to protect the public by ensuring that only qualified individuals provide certain services, enhancing the credibility and legitimacy of the profession. It is a mechanism to control the quality and safety of services offered to consumers.
About 29% of U.S. workers are in jobs that require occupational licenses. The process of obtaining licensure usually involves completing specific educational or training programs, passing examinations, fulfilling experience requirements, and maintaining standards through continuing education. Licensure is distinct from certification, which is typically a voluntary process run by a professional body, and credentialing, which is the process of establishing the qualifications of licensed professionals and assessing their background and legitimacy.