Per the Medical Free Online Dictionary, licensing is “the granting of permission by a competent authority (usually a government agency) to an organization or individual to engage in a practice or activity that would otherwise be illegal. Kinds of licensure include the issuing of licenses for general hospitals or nursing homes, for health professionals such as physicians, and for the production or distribution of biologic products. Licensure is usually granted on the basis of education and examination rather than performance. It is usually permanent, but a periodic fee, demonstration of competence, or continuing education may be required. Licensure may be revoked by the granting agency for incompetence, criminal acts, or other reasons stipulated in the rules governing the specific area of licensure”. Licensing is often restricted to the specific state that issues such licensure. In a disaster, some states have emergency legislative stipulations that, when enacted, enable professionals licensed by other states/agencies to be licensed (and protected from legal repercussions) within the affected state