Legal Definitions - licentiate

A licentiate refers to an individual who has been granted official permission or a license by a recognized authority to perform a specific function or practice a particular profession. This permission signifies that the individual has met the necessary qualifications, standards, and often passed required examinations to competently and legally carry out their duties within that field.

• A medical doctor: After completing medical school, residency, and passing rigorous board examinations, a doctor receives a medical license from the state medical board. This makes them a licentiate, authorized to diagnose illnesses, prescribe medication, and perform medical procedures. Without this license, they would not be legally permitted to practice medicine.

• A licensed professional counselor: An individual who has earned a master's degree in counseling, completed supervised clinical hours, and passed a state licensure exam becomes a licentiate. This official permission allows them to provide therapeutic services, such as individual or group counseling, to clients seeking mental health support.

• A certified public accountant (CPA): To become a CPA, an individual must typically meet specific educational requirements, pass a challenging uniform CPA examination, and fulfill experience criteria. Once licensed by a state board of accountancy, they become a licentiate, legally authorized to perform services like auditing financial statements, preparing complex tax returns, and providing financial advice to the public.