What is the difference between certification and registration?

Answer 1

Licensure, generally issued at the state level, is a mandatory credentialing process that allows an individual to legally perform certain skills. As dictated by law, there is usually a requirement to pass certain tests and exhibit the ability to perform certain skills.

Certification is a voluntary credentialing process usually offered by a private professional organization, such as a school, college, or other accreditation body. Certification indicates that the allied [health] professional has met the standards set by the certification entity.

Registration indicates that a person whose name is listed on an official record or register has met certain requirements in their particular profession. The registry list of names can then be accessed by [healthcare providers] to determine if a potential employee has met certain requirements.

Answer 2

Certification envolves a certificate or something that you recieve. Registration is when you register or when you sign in.