Licensing officer
Also known as: fire protection specialist, fire protection licensing officer, license inspector, licensing standards officer, licensing compliance officer, restaurant licensing officer
About this occupation
Licensing officers process licence applications and provide advice on licensing legislation. They also perform investigative duties to ensure the applicant is eligible for the requested licence, ensure licence fees are paid in a timely manner, and ensure compliance with legislation.
Essential skills and knowledge
- assess licence applications
- correspond with licence applicants
- issue licences
- manage licensing fees
- monitor compliance with licensing agreements
- advise on licencing procedures
- public service concession
- licences regulation
- prepare licence agreements
- assess breaches of licence agreements
- manage import export licenses
- grant concessions
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Compliance Officers (O*NET 13-1041.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Warn violators of infractions or penalties.
- Evaluate applications, records, or documents to gather information about eligibility or liability issues.
- Advise licensees or other individuals or groups concerning licensing, permit, or passport regulations.
- Prepare reports of activities, evaluations, recommendations, or decisions.
- Report law or regulation violations to appropriate boards or agencies.
- Confer with or interview officials, technical or professional specialists, or applicants to obtain information or to clarify facts relevant to licensing decisions.
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Conventional, Enterprising, Investigative
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Active Listening, Writing, Judgment and Decision Making, Critical Thinking
US median pay: US$80,730 a year (2025), 417,070 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentVery important (4.1)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.0)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.2)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Compliance Managers
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs
- Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
- Environmental Compliance Inspectors
- Regulatory Affairs Specialists
- Paralegals and Legal Assistants
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
- Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
- Coroners
- Customs Brokers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.