institutional licensure

institutional licensure

[in′stityo̅o̅′shənəl]

Etymology: L, instituere, to put in place, licere, to be permitted

a procedure in which individual licensure for health professions would be abandoned and the responsibility for assessing professional competence would fall to the health care facility where the health professional is used. Proponents of the procedure maintain that health needs would be better and more flexibly served. Opponents maintain that knowledge, judgment, and competency are the products of a good basic education in the profession and that educators cannot teach the profession without a set of standardized expectations, as are now provided by government-controlled licensing procedures and certifying examinations. In addition, health care facilities may not have the expertise or resources necessary to evaluate the various kinds of health care providers.

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licensure

the granting of a permit to perform acts which, without it, would be illegal. The licensure of veterinarians has traditionally been the responsibility of the state licensing boards, governed by licensing statutes enacted by the state.

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individual licensure

the granting of a legal permit that is personal and cannot be transferred to another. The individual seeking the licensure must meet standards for practice as established by the state licensing statutes. In most instances the initial license is granted upon successful completion of an examination administered by the state examining board of the specific profession or vocation, and annual re-registration is required to maintain the license.

institutional licensure

licensure of an agency providing a particular service to the public. In veterinary services this is usually limited to organizations that provide animal welfare services or which are teaching institutions.