Is approver_user role counted as license ?

[Pradeep Juyal]

Hi,
Looking for clarity around license usage, we have several non fulfiller users in the system, but they need to approve RITM's which would require approver_user role. Does this role consumes license ? there are mixed post around it on internet.

[Community Alums]

Thank you, this is my understanding, too. If only the documentation was as clear.

[Francis L_]

I'm a bit confuse about your answer as I found those two articles.

https://support.servicenow.com/kb?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0719074

https://support.servicenow.com/kb?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0960709

@snbrown Do you have any document source?

[Josh Pirozzi]

Hi @Francis L_,

In looking at these articles, there are 2 approaches with how you can handle Approvals / Approvers. In both cases you can provide the capability to review and approve/reject records without providing 'Approver' (business_stakeholder) Subscriptions:

1. Option 1: While the Approver would not be able to navigate to records within the platform, they would be able to access Approval Records that have been assigned to them.
   1. This is either via the Portal or going to Self Service > My Approvals. 
2. Option 2: You can configure an Approval Notification for things like Requests or Changes. 
   1. In this option you can provide the Variables / Fields completed on the Request or Change for their reviewal and the Approver will be given an approval or rejection button/action on the notification.

I'd recommend reaching out to your Account / Support Reps for more detail or documentation as each company / organization may be handled differently. 

We recently implemented Business Stakeholder licenses for specific Groups, and this has helped them with being able to review records, and greatly reduced our cost for licenses as they didn't need to use up a full ITIL (Fulfiller) License.

Hope this helps!

Josh Pirozzi