LICENSE. – An academic degree granted by ecclesiastical universities and faculties to ecclesiastical or lay students who, having completed the required studies in their respective discipline, have demonstrated their suitability to teach in schools that do not confer academic degrees.
Emerging more or less simultaneously around the first half of the 13th century in the major medieval universities, particularly in the fields of law and theology, with purposes analogous to one another, it only gradually developed into an institution distinct from the doctorate, of which it later constituted—and still constitutes—a step. Currently, it is regulated by the Apostolic Constitution *Deus scientiarum Dominus* of 24 May 1931, by the *Ordinaciones* of the Sacred Congregation of Seminaries and Universities of Studies of 12 June 1931, and by the Declaration of the same Congregation of 23 May 1948; it is indispensable for ascending, generally after only one year, to the doctorate. It can be conferred exclusively by canonically erected faculties in all disciplines in which the degree (*laurea*) is conferred (v.), according to their respective statutes made conformable to the aforementioned apostolic documents. The license is conferred solely in the name of the Supreme Pontiff or, during a sede vacante, of the Holy See. Unlike what occurs with the degree (*laurea*), the license is not conferred *ad honorem*.
To obtain the license, the following are required: 1) successful completion of examinations in all individual disciplines proper to the degree, for which attendance is absolutely required; without examinations and without the aforementioned attendance (lasting at least two-thirds of the academic year or semester, if the year is divided into distinct scholastic semesters), the conferral of the degree is invalid by law; this also applies to those who lawfully transfer to another faculty; 2) a special examination at the end of the course immediately preceding the license itself, covering multiple scholastic disciplines (for theology, canon law, and philosophy, this examination must include all subjects specifically proper to the respective three faculties); 3) the submission of a brief written work demonstrating the candidate’s capacity for scholarly work; 4) a written examination on a topic chosen from any of the subjects of the entire academic curriculum; 5) participation in the so-called practical exercises, i.e., research work under the guidance of a professor. To receive the license certificate, the candidate must make the profession of faith in accordance with can. 1406 §1 n. 8 of the *Codex Iuris Canonici*. The Declaration of 23 May 1948 must be taken into account, which—starting from the observation that for the license, as regulated by the constitution of Pius XI and the *Ordinaciones* of 1931, practically everything required before 1931 was characteristic of the degree (*laurea*)—grants to the license, obtained after that date, all the juridical effects that the degree (*laurea*) previously produced. The degree (*laurea*) is, however, still indispensable for those designated as professors in a faculty that confers academic degrees, as well as for auditors of the Sacred Roman Rota in accordance with can. 1598 §2 of the *CIC*. Therefore, in all cases where the *CIC* requires the degree (*laurea*) (generally for certain ecclesiastical offices and benefices), the license alone now suffices (v. LAUREA).