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Certification sits between registration and licensure in terms of rigor and significance. Registration typically involves being listed or approved by a body and meeting basic requirements, with less emphasis on proving tested competency. Certification, on the other hand, requires meeting defined professional standards and often passing a formal examination or competency assessment, sometimes with ongoing renewal or continuing education to maintain the credential. Licensure is the most stringent of the three in many fields because it is a legally granted authorization from a government or regulatory authority that defines the scope of practice and enforces penalties for practicing without a license. So, certification is more rigorous than simply registering but less rigorous than being licensed, reflecting a validated level of professional competence without the legal mandate to practice.