Journeyman papers, or a journeyman's licence, is a certification granted to tradesmen upon completion of an apprenticeship. The certificate verifies that the worker is skilled in their trade. A tradesmen who has received this certification is referred to as a journeyman.
Until the modern era, journeymen papers were essential for finding work as a tradesman. The qualifications of journeymen have varied over the centuries. In present day U.S., a journeyman has to pass a board certified test, and is then licensed.