Credential Types
Licensure and Certification are the two primary types of credentials. Credentials can also be earned via apprenticeships. The table below will give you an at-a-glance view of the differences between these three groups. Click the headings to learn more about the ones that interest you.
 Licensure |
 Certification |
 Apprenticeship |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Who Issues? | Licenses awarded by government licensing boards – federal, state, local | Certifications awarded by non-governmental organizations – professional associations, private sector companies | Certificate of Completion issued by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship |
| Optional/Required? | Required by law in civilian workforce | Optional, but may be required by licensing boards or employers | Optional, but in certain construction projects strongly incentivized by federal law |
| Unique Features | Requirements may vary by state | Multiple certifications may exist from different organizations | Industry funded and operated – may be sponsored by single or multiple employers, with or without a union as a sponsoring partner |
| Key Requirements | May Include:
|
May Include:
|
On-the-Job Training supplemented by Classroom Instruction |