Discipline MT

Master a Trade

Skilled trades pay to learn and reward mastery. The way in is usually an apprenticeship or a focused program, and the thing that lets you work is often a credential—though 'certificate', 'certification', and 'license' mean three different things.

Learn which credential a role actually requires before you pay for one, and how apprenticeships turn time on the job into a recognized qualification.

Photo: ThMilherou / Pixabay

Start here Certificate, Certification, or License? Three words, constantly confused, that decide whether you can legally do a job. Here is what each one really means—and how to tell which your field demands. Comparison · 6 min read →

Every guide in this discipline

Comparison · 6 min Certificate, Certification, or License? Three words, constantly confused, that decide whether you can legally do a job. Here is what each one really means—and how to tell which your field demands.
Explainer · 6 min How Registered Apprenticeships Actually Work It is the rare route that pays you from the first day and ends with a nationally recognized credential and no debt. Here is what is really going on inside one.

Official resources

Apprenticeship.govThe Dept. of Labor's home for registered apprenticeships: how they work and where to find them.
CareerOneStop: License FinderCheck whether an occupation needs a state license, and which one.
BLS Occupational Outlook HandbookPay and outlook for trades, with typical entry requirements.
CareerOneStop: Certification FinderSearch industry certifications by occupation.

Terms in this discipline

Questions people ask

What's the difference between a certificate and a certification?

A certificate says you finished a course of study; a certification says you passed an independent industry exam or standard, and it usually has to be renewed. A license is separate again: legal permission from a government to practice.

Do apprenticeships really pay you?

Yes. In a registered apprenticeship you're a paid employee from day one, with wages that step up as your skills grow, and your classroom instruction runs alongside the job.

How do I know if a trade needs a license?

Licensing is set by each state, so check CareerOneStop's license finder for your state and occupation. Many trades need one to work legally; some need only a certification or none at all.

Public programs in this discipline: Registered Apprenticeship, License Finder.

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