licensure

noun

li·​cen·​sure ˈlī-sᵊn-shər 

-ˌshu̇r

: the granting of licenses especially to practice a profession

also : the state of being licensed

Examples of licensure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The department is now pushing for licensure and regulation, saying there are more than 400 ABA facilities in Colorado. —Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026

Without licensure, families face an uneven marketplace. —Jake Krilovich, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026

In January, the American College of Nurse-Midwives sued the medical licensure board of Mississippi, where midwives are also required to have collaborative agreements with physicians to practice. —Aria Bendix, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026

Is there a more direct way to close down puppy mills using anti-abuse or breeder licensure laws? —Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1846, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

licensure

noun

li·​cen·​sure ˈlīs-ᵊn-shər, -ˌshu̇r 

1

: the state or condition of having a license granted by official or legal authority to perform medical acts and procedures not permitted by persons without such a license

applicant must have RN licensure

also : the granting of such licenses

a state board of medical licensure

2

: approval of a drug or medical procedure by official or legal authority for use in the practice of medicine

the licensure was based on the results of randomized clinical trials of the vaccine's protective efficacy

—E. D. Shapiro et al.

Legal Definition

licensure

noun

li·​cen·​sure ˈlīs-ᵊn-shər, -ˌshu̇r 

: the granting of licenses especially to practice a profession

also : the state of being licensed