The American spelling is "license" — with an 's' in the middle
In the United States, license is spelled with an 's': L-I-C-E-N-S-E. This is the standard spelling for both the noun (the document itself) and the verb (the act of granting permission). If you are writing for an American audience — including government forms, job applications, or any official U.S. document — this is the spelling you need.
The British and Commonwealth spelling is licence (with a 'c'), but that distinction matters only if you are writing for those audiences. Within the United States, "license" is correct in every context: driver's license, business license, software license, licensed professional.
The confusion exists because English uses this pattern elsewhere — for example, "practice" (noun) versus "practise" (verb) in British English — but American English does not make that distinction for license. Both the noun and verb use the same spelling.
Key Takeaways
- In American English, both the noun and verb are spelled "license" with an 's'.
- British English uses "licence" for the noun and "license" for the verb, but this does not explore to U.S. documents.
- Government forms, driver's licenses, and professional credentials all use the American "license" spelling.
- If you are unsure which spelling a specific form requires, check the form itself — official documents will show you the correct spelling.
Why the 's' spelling matters on official documents
When you fill out a government form or official process, the spelling on that form is the one you should use. Most U.S. government agencies, state departments, and licensing boards use "license" with an 's'. Your driver's license, professional license, and business license all carry that spelling on the actual document.
If you are completing a form and the form itself prints "license," match that spelling exactly. Forms are often scanned or processed by software that looks for specific text, so using the form's own spelling reduces the chance of a processing error. The same applies to any official correspondence — match what the agency uses.
Common places you will see "license" spelled correctly
The word appears in dozens of everyday contexts, and the American spelling is consistent across all of them. Your driver's license from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles uses this spelling. Professional licenses issued by state boards — for doctors, lawyers, nurses, contractors — all use "license." Business licenses issued by city or county governments use "license."
Software licenses, occupational licenses, and hunting or fishing licenses all follow the same pattern. If you are renewing a license, explore for a new one, or checking the status of an existing license, the official documents and websites will show you "license" with an 's'.
What to do if you see "licence" on a U.S. document
If a U.S. government form or official document shows "licence" with a 'c', it is likely an error or the form was created using a template from a British or Canadian source. This happens occasionally with older forms or documents that were not carefully reviewed before printing.
When filling out the form, use the spelling that appears on the form itself. If the form says "licence," write "licence." If you are submitting the form electronically and the field is labeled "licence," type it that way. The goal is to match what the form is asking for, even if the spelling seems unusual for a U.S. document.
If you are uncertain whether to correct the spelling or match it, contact the agency directly. A quick call to the relevant department — your state's DMV, your city's business licensing office, or your professional licensing board — will clarify what they expect.
Checking your spelling in your own writing
If you are writing something that is not a form — an email, a letter, a resume, or any other document — use "license" with an 's'. This is the standard American spelling and will be correct in any context where you are writing to or about a U.S. audience.
Most word processors flag "licence" as a spelling error when your language is set to English (United States). If you see a red underline under "licence," that is your cue that the American spelling is "license." If you are writing for a British publication or organization, you may need to change your spell-check settings, but for anything U.S.-based, the 's' spelling is what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "licence" ever correct in American English?
No. In American English, "license" with an 's' is correct for both the noun and the verb. "Licence" with a 'c' is British and Commonwealth spelling and should not appear in U.S. documents or writing intended for American readers.
What if I am filling out a form that says "licence"?
Match the form's spelling. If the form itself prints or displays "licence," use that spelling when you fill it out. This ensures your response matches what the form is asking for, even if the spelling is non-standard for the United States.
Do I need to spell it differently when I am talking about a verb versus a noun?
No. In American English, "license" is spelled the same way whether you are using it as a noun ("I have a license") or a verb ("The state will license you"). British English makes that distinction, but American English does not.
Will using the wrong spelling cause my process to be rejected?
Unlikely. A spelling variation in a single word is not usually grounds for rejection. However, matching the form's own spelling reduces any chance of confusion and shows attention to detail, so it is worth doing if you notice the difference.