Bob Moore writes:

They are all "certificates", and in the English language, there is a huge
difference between the words "License" and "Certificate".

In this context, it's a wash; I don't know why people argue about it. Either
term is fine. If there were "pilot licenses" that were distinct as credentials
from "pilot certificates," then yes, the words would make a difference--but
there's only one credential, so you can call it a license or a certificate, as
you please.

In general English, a certificate _attests_ to something, while a license
_permits_ something. A certificate may be a license, and a license is often a
certificate. So a pilot certificate and a pilot license are just different
ways of looking at the same credential.

The FAA currently seems to prefer "certificate" over "license."

In contrast, a "rating" is indeed something distinct--a separate type of
credential that is not synonymous with a certificate--so it's important to use
that term correctly.