High school · College & Career Readiness
Follow a Credential to Its Intended Use
Distinguish training completion, certification, and licensure, then match a fictional claim to the authority that can verify it.
One selected lesson · Temporary, ungraded practice
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Ask what the credential actually establishes
A credential documents a qualification, but its title alone does not explain what it permits. A course-completion certificate can document completed instruction. A certification can indicate that a certifying body’s requirements were met. An occupational license is government permission required for certain work. CareerOneStop notes that license requirements vary by state and that certification can sometimes be part of a licensing requirement. These are broad distinctions, not legal advice about any particular occupation.