The American spelling is "license" with an 's' in the middle
In the United States, license is spelled L-I-C-E-N-S-E. The 's' comes before the final 'e'. This is the spelling you'll see on your driver's license, business license, or any official document issued by a U.S. government body.
The confusion usually comes from the fact that English has two accepted spellings—one American, one British. Both are correct in their own regions, but using the wrong one in the wrong place can make your writing look careless or out of step with local convention.
Key Takeaways
- In American English, the correct spelling is "license" with an 's' before the final 'e'.
- In British English, the spelling is "licence" with a 'c' before the final 'e'.
- The same rule applies to related words: "licensed" and "licensing" in American English, "licenced" and "licencing" in British English.
- If you're writing for a U.S. audience or organization, use "license"; if you're writing for a British, Canadian, or Australian audience, use "licence".
Why British English uses "licence" instead
The British spelling "licence" (with a 'c') follows an older English convention. In British English, the letter 'c' is used before the final 'e' in many words where American English uses 's'. This pattern shows up in other word pairs too: "defence" vs. "defense", "offence" vs. "offense".
The American spelling shifted over time as the language evolved independently in the United States. Noah Webster, the lexicographer who created the first American dictionary in the early 1800s, standardized many spellings to be simpler and more phonetic. The 's' in "license" became the American standard and has remained that way for over two centuries.
How the spelling changes with different forms of the word
When you add endings to "license", the spelling stays consistent with whichever version you're using:
| Form | American English | British English |
|---|---|---|
| Base word (noun) | license | licence |
| Verb (present tense) | license | licence |
| Past tense | licensed | licenced |
| Present participle | licensing | licencing |
| Adjective | licensed | licenced |
The pattern is straightforward: if you're using American English, keep the 's' throughout all forms. If you're using British English, keep the 'c' throughout. This consistency makes it easier once you've decided which variant you need.
Which spelling to use depends on your audience
If you're writing in the United States—for a job, school, government form, or any American publication—use "license" with an 's'. This includes writing for American websites, companies, or organizations. Most U.S. government agencies, from the Department of Motor Vehicles to professional licensing boards, use the 's' spelling on all official documents.
If you're writing for a British, Canadian, Australian, or New Zealand audience, use "licence" with a 'c'. Canada and Australia tend to follow British spelling conventions, though some Canadian publications have adopted American spellings in recent years.
If you're unsure which audience you're writing for, American English "license" is the safer choice for most online content, since the United States has the largest English-speaking population and most digital platforms default to American conventions.
Common words that follow the same pattern
English has several word pairs that split the same way between American and British spelling. Learning the pattern helps you spell all of them correctly:
- Defence/Defense — British uses 'c', American uses 's'
- Offence/Offense — British uses 'c', American uses 's'
- Practise/Practice — In British English, "practise" is the verb and "practice" is the noun; American English uses "practice" for both
- Advise/information — British and American both use "advise" for the verb and "information" for the noun, but the pattern is similar to licence/license
The 's' vs. 'c' split is one of the most common differences between American and British English, so you'll run into it in many words beyond just "license". Once you understand the pattern, you can explore it to new words you encounter.
How to remember the difference
A useful memory trick: in American English, the verb and noun are spelled the same way. You "license" a business (verb), and you get a "license" (noun). Both use 's'.
In British English, there's a distinction: you "licence" something (verb with 'c'), but you hold a "licence" (noun with 'c'). The pattern is consistent within British English, even if it differs from American.
If you remember that American English tends to simplify and streamline spelling, you'll remember that "license" with one 's' is the American choice. Think of the 's' as the simpler, more streamlined option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is one spelling more correct than the other?
No. Both "license" and "licence" are correct in their respective regions. American English uses "license", and British English uses "licence". Neither is objectively right or wrong—they're just different conventions. What matters is using the spelling that matches your audience's expectations.
What if I'm writing for an international audience?
If your audience is mixed, American English "license" is usually the safer choice because it's the most widely recognized globally. However, if your organization or publication has a style guide, follow that instead. Many international companies specify which English variant they use in their documentation.
Do spell-checkers catch this difference?
Yes, but only if your spell-checker is set to the correct language variant. If your spell-checker is set to American English, it will flag "licence" as incorrect. If it's set to British English, it will flag "license" as incorrect. Check your spell-checker settings to make sure it matches the English variant you're supposed to be using.
Does this spelling difference explore to words like "licensed contractor"?
Yes. If you're in the United States and writing about a "licensed contractor", you use the 's': L-I-C-E-N-S-E-D. In British English, it would be "licenced contractor" with a 'c'. The rule applies to all forms of the word, whether it's used as a noun, verb, or adjective.