Accreditation is an independent quality review of an institution, program or course. Certification is a statement that a person, a product or an organization meets stated criteria. Licensing is legal permission from an authority to operate or to practice. They are often confused, but they answer different questions: is it good, does it meet a defined standard and is it allowed. One does not replace the others, and a provider may need all three.
In education, the three words appear together in marketing and are used loosely. A school may say that it is “licensed and accredited” when it means something narrow, and a person may say “certified” when they have a course certificate. Readers who understand the difference can read claims accurately and ask the right follow-up question. This guide defines each term, compares them in a table, gives examples from education, shows how they combine and offers wording that stays accurate. The EAHEA examples refer to its published services.
Definitions
- Accreditation: a review of an institution, program or course by an independent body against published standards, which ends in a decision and, if positive, a public record. In many systems it is voluntary.
- Certification: a confirmation that a person, product, process or organization meets stated requirements, usually after assessment or review of evidence. It is a status, not a legal permission.
- Licensing: a legal authorization from a government or regulator to operate an institution, award degrees or practice a profession. Operating without it may be unlawful.
Side by Side
| Question | Accreditation | Certification | Licensing |
|---|---|---|---|
| What does it answer? | Does it meet quality standards? | Does it meet this defined requirement? | Is it legally permitted? |
| Who grants it? | An accrediting body | A certifying body or association | A government authority or regulator |
| What is covered? | Institutions, programs or courses | People, products or organizations | Institutions or individuals |
| Is it voluntary? | Often yes | Usually yes | No, where the law requires it |
| Based on | Self-study, documents and review | Criteria, tests or evidence | Legal requirements |
| Duration | Limited period, then renewal | Limited period or ongoing | Set by law, with renewal or conditions |
Examples in Education
| Situation | Which One |
|---|---|
| A university is reviewed against quality standards by an independent body | Accreditation |
| A government authorizes a private college to award degrees | Licensing or authorization |
| A teacher receives a certificate after a review of education and experience | Certification |
| A teacher is given a state teaching license | Licensing |
| A course receives a quality seal from a review body | Accreditation of a course, or a certification of the product, depending on the body’s own definition |
| A lawyer receives permission to practice before courts | Licensing |
How They Combine
- An institution needs the legal authorization of its country to operate or to award degrees. That is licensing.
- It may then seek accreditation for independent confirmation of quality and, often, for credibility abroad.
- Its graduates may seek professional licensing to practice, and certification to document skills.
None of the steps replaces another. Accreditation does not give a legal permission, and a license does not show quality in the sense of an accreditation. See national vs. international accreditation: how institutions combine them.
EAHEA Examples
- Accreditation: Full and Online Accreditation for institutions, with Program and Course Accreditation. Accredited institutions appear in a public directory.
- Certification: Quality Certification for organizations, and the Professional, Educator and Doctor of Excellence certifications for individuals, which are awarded after a review of documents and not at the end of a course.
- Not licensing: EAHEA is an association. Its accreditation and certificates are not a license to operate, to teach or to practice, and they are not government recognition.
Questions to Ask
- Who granted it, and is that body real and public?
- What exactly is covered: the institution, a program, a person or a product?
- For what period is it valid?
- Is it voluntary, or required by law?
- Where is the public record?
- What does it not cover?
Accurate Wording
| Avoid | Use |
|---|---|
| “Licensed by EAHEA” | “Accredited by EAHEA,” with the type, scope and dates |
| “Certified institution” for an accreditation | “Institutionally accredited,” unless it is a certification |
| “Accredited teacher” | “Holds an EAHEA Educator Certificate, valid until the date” |
| “Government approved” for a private accreditation | “Accredited by an independent, non-governmental body” |
Limits
- Terms differ by country and by body. Always read how a specific body defines its own service.
- Licensing rules are set by law. Ask the relevant authority about the permissions you need.
- EAHEA accreditation is voluntary and non-governmental. It does not guarantee recognition, acceptance of credits, visas or jobs.
For related comparisons, read institutional vs. programmatic accreditation and recognition vs. accreditation: why the words matter. Contact the Secretariat with questions.
Services This Guide Covers
Frequently Asked Questions
Accreditation reviews the quality of an institution, program or course against standards. Certification confirms that a person, product or organization meets stated criteria.
Legal permission from a government or regulator to operate an institution, award degrees or practice a profession.
Yes. It may be licensed by its government, accredited by an independent body and hold certifications for some services.
No. It is voluntary and non-governmental, and it is not a legal permission.
No. It documents competence after a review. It is not a license to practice or to teach.
Ask who granted it, what it covers, the dates and where the public record is.