Final answer:
The process of legally authorizing someone to practice a profession is known as licensing. It is crucial for many fields to safeguard public safety and ensure professional standards, differentiating it from certification.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of giving someone the legal right to practice a profession is called licensing:
Licensing is typically handled by governmental agencies and is necessary for many jobs to ensure that individuals have obtained the necessary education and qualifications to perform their roles safely and effectively. It is the means by which a state grants permission to individuals to engage in certain regulated professions, such as medicine, teaching, engineering, and others.
Licensing involves assessments of skillsets and competencies, and may include completing specific educational programs and passing relevant exams. For instance, doctors, lawyers, and engineers must be licensed to provide services to the public and to ensure adherence to professional standards. The licensing differs from certification, which is usually granted by professional societies or educational institutions, and may or may not be legally required to practice a profession.