Certification vs. Licensure
Certification is generally voluntary and is not required to practice a profession. Rather, it is a self-governing standard that serves to inform consumers, peers, and other health care professionals of the scope of practice and training of the certificate holder. Loss of certification in audiology does not prohibit the practice of the profession, so long as licensure is maintained.
Licensure, on the other hand, represents a government process by which a state or federal agency grants an individual permission to practice a profession and constitutes the legal right to practice that profession within the state. It is generally mandatory and must be renewed periodically. Licensure is an important form of consumer protection in that loss of an audiology license prohibits an individual from practicing audiology within the state or federal agency.
