___ persons shall be used to perform any work on live or energized equipment.

The term "qualified persons" refers to individuals who have received specific training, possess the necessary skills, and have demonstrated the ability to perform work on live or energized equipment safely. This designation usually involves a thorough understanding of the hazards associated with electrical work and compliance with safety standards and regulations.

Qualified persons are equipped to recognize and avoid the dangers of electrocuting or arc flash incidents that can occur when working with energized systems. This typically includes having knowledge of electrical theory, safety procedures, and the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

In contrast, while "authorized," "licensed," and "certified" may refer to aspects of an individual's credentials, they do not encompass the full scope of training and demonstration of safety competencies required to work on energized equipment safely. "Authorized" may imply permission to enter a work area, "licensed" typically refers to holding a governmental or regulatory license for practice, and "certified" usually pertains to specific programs or exams that affirm one's skills in certain areas, rather than broad qualifications for addressing live electrical systems.