A license management system comprises at least one processor capable of executing processor-executable code coupled with a non-transitory processor-readable medium storing a master license database and processor-executable code for causing the processor to: (a) store a master state of a network device indicative of at least one license key associated with the network device in the master license database; (b) access information indicative of a license key request for the network device subsequent to the storing of the master state, the license key request including a current state of the network device; (c) compare the master state of the network device with the current state of the network device; and (d) in response to the master state differing from the current state of the network device, generate an error message and store the error message in non-transitory processor-readable medium.