Quick answer: In New Zealand, use licence (with a “c”) for the noun and license (with an “s”) for the verb. If you are holding the document, it is a licence. If you are granting permission, you license someone.
New Zealanders often stumble over this pair because American media dominates our screens, constantly showing us the single-word spelling “license.” However, New Zealand English follows British conventions, not American ones. This distinction is not merely stylistic; it is grammatical. Using the wrong form in a formal document, such as a contract or a government application, can signal carelessness to editors and officials who expect strict adherence to local standards. I have corrected this specific error in countless professional bios and legal drafts, and the rule remains consistent: the noun takes the soft “c” sound spelling, while the verb takes the sharp “s” sound spelling.
| Term | Meaning / When to use | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | Noun: The physical document or official permission itself. | Please attach a copy of your driver licence to the application. |
| License | Verb: The act of granting authority or permitting an activity. | The council will license the new restaurant next month. |
When to use Licence
Use licence when you are referring to the certificate, card, or formal permission as a thing. It is a noun. In New Zealand, if you can hold it in your hand, point to it on a wall, or lose it in your wallet, it is spelled with a “c.” This applies to driver licences, business licences, fishing licences, and software licences.
The confusion often arises because the word ends in a “s” sound (/s/), leading writers to assume it should be spelled with an “s.” However, in British and New Zealand English, many nouns ending in this sound retain the “c” from their Latin roots, while their verb counterparts switch to “s.”
Consider these real-world examples where “licence” is the only correct choice:
- Resume/CV Error: “I hold a current first aid license.”
- Correction: “I hold a current first aid licence.” (Here, the licence is a credential you possess, making it a noun.)
- Email to HR: “Has my practising license been approved yet?”
- Correction: “Has my practising licence been approved yet?” (You are asking about the status of the document/permission, not the action of granting it.)
- Text Message: “Can you send me a photo of your license? I need to check the expiry date.”
- Correction: “Can you send me a photo of your licence? I need to check the expiry date.”
In every instance above, the word functions as the object of the sentence or the subject. It is a tangible or abstract item that exists independently of the action. According to Wikipedia, this spelling distinction is standard in all major varieties of English outside of North America, including New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
When to use License
Use license when you are describing the action of giving permission, authorizing, or regulating. It is a verb. If you are doing something to someone else—granting them rights, allowing them to operate, or issuing a permit—you are licensing them.
This form is also used in American English for both the noun and the verb, which is why it feels so familiar to Kiwis exposed to US content. However, in New Zealand, restricting “license” to its verbal role is crucial for maintaining professional credibility.
Here are common scenarios where “license” is the required form:
- Business Contract: “We agree to licence the technology to third parties.”
- Correction: “We agree to license the technology to third parties.” (Here, “license” is the action being performed by the company.)
- Government Notice: “The agency will licence all new operators under the new act.”
- Correction: “The agency will license all new operators under the new act.” (The agency is performing the act of granting permission.)
- Software Development: “You must license this code before distributing it.”
- Correction: “You must license this code before distributing it.” (You are taking the action of applying a license agreement.)
Note that the past tense and participles follow the same pattern: licensed, licensing. You would never write “licenced” or “licencing” in New Zealand English when using the verb form. For example, “The bar was licensed to sell alcohol,” not “licenced.”
How to remember the difference
The most reliable mnemonic for New Zealand writers relies on the relationship between spelling and sound, specifically linking the letters to their grammatical function.
The “C” is for Certificate. Both Licence and Certificate end with a “c” and are nouns. You hold a certificate; you hold a licence. If you can file it, it has a “c.”
The “S” is for Sanction. Both License and Sanction involve giving authority or permission and are verbs (or can function as such). You sanction an event; you license a driver. The “s” looks like the action of signing or sealing the deal.
Another editor-level trick I use involves the word Advice vs. Advise. This pair follows the exact same pattern in New Zealand English.
- Advice (noun) = Licence (noun)
- Advise (verb) = License (verb)
If you know how to spell advice/advise correctly, you automatically know how to spell licence/license. Just swap the first letter. If you are giving advice (verb), you advise. If you are giving permission (verb), you license. If you receive advice (noun), you get advice. If you receive permission (noun), you get a licence.
Common mistakes and exceptions
The most frequent mistake I encounter is the wholesale adoption of American spelling due to software defaults. Most word processors and coding environments are set to US English by default. This means that when you type “license,” your spellchecker will not flag it, even if you are writing for a New Zealand audience. This false negative reinforces the error. Always ensure your document language setting is set to “English (New Zealand)” or “English (UK)” to catch these inconsistencies.
Another common error occurs in compound nouns. Writers often hesitate on terms like “driving licence” vs. “driver’s licence.” In New Zealand, the official term is driver licence (no apostrophe, no “s” on driver), but colloquially, people say “driver’s licence.” Regardless of the phrasing, the word licence remains a noun and keeps the “c.” Do not let the plural possesive structure confuse the spelling of the core word.
There are no significant exceptions to this rule in standard New Zealand English. Unlike some words that have variant acceptances (such as “program” vs. “programme,” where “program” is now accepted for computer contexts), licence and license remain strictly divided by part of speech.
It is also worth noting that in legal contexts, precision is paramount. A “licensing agreement” uses the verb-derived adjective form, so it keeps the “s.” A “licence fee” uses the noun adjunct, so it keeps the “c.” Mixing these up in a contract can lead to ambiguity about whether the fee is for the document itself or the act of licensing. According to Wikipedia, the etymological root is the Latin licentia, meaning freedom or liberty, which evolved into the distinct noun and verb forms in French and then English. Understanding this history helps reinforce why the two forms exist: one represents the state of freedom (the noun), and the other represents the act of granting it (the verb).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “license” ever correct as a noun in New Zealand? No. In standard New Zealand English, “license” is exclusively a verb. Using it as a noun is considered an Americanism and will be marked as an error in formal editing, academic writing, and government communications.
What about the word “practise”? Does it follow the same rule? Yes. “Practise” (with an “s”) is the verb, and “practice” (with a “c”) is the noun in New Zealand English. This is the reverse of the c/s pattern in licence/license, which confuses many people. Remember: You practice medicine (verb: practise? No, wait. Let’s clarify). Actually, for practice/practise: Noun = Practice (c), Verb = Practise (s). So, “I need more practice” (noun) and “I practise law” (verb). It follows the same C=Noun, S=Verb logic as licence/license.
Why does my computer spellcheck accept “license” as a noun? Your software is likely set to US English. In the United States, “license” is used for both the noun and the verb. To ensure accurate proofreading for a New Zealand audience, change your language settings to English (NZ) or English (UK).
Do I need to use “licence” in email addresses or URLs? No. Technical constraints often dictate spelling in digital addresses. If your driver licence number is part of a URL or username, use the spelling required by the system, which is often the American “license” for compatibility. However, in the body text of any communication, always adhere to the NZ standard: noun = licence, verb = license.
Nathan Williams is a seasoned editor and writer with a passion for the subtleties of the English language. With a degree in English from NYU and more than 12 years of editorial experience, he has honed his expertise in spelling accuracy and the comparison of often-misused words. Nathan’s foray into language analysis was sparked by his desire to help others communicate more effectively and avoid common pitfalls in writing. At WordCompareHub, he crafts comprehensive guides and articles that discuss word usage distinctions and provide effective spelling strategies. Nathan is driven by the belief that clarity in language is key to effective communication. In his leisure time, he enjoys crosswords and participates in local word games, continually expanding his lexicon and sharpening his linguistic skills.