The establishment of legal restrictions defining which individuals or institutions have the right to provide services or goods, usually based on meeting minimum requirements.

Licensing of health care facilities is usually mandatory and government-imposed.

Licensing that uses standards set minimal levels — that is, requirements that have to be met — to designate an individual or an organization fit to provide a service to the public.

World Health Organization. European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. Glossary. 2009.