Name |
Post-nominal |
Explanation or Issuing Agency
|
Professional Practice Degrees (required for state licensure)
|
Doctor of Chiropractic
|
DC
|
A professional doctoral degree for Chiropractors
|
Doctor of Dental Medicine
|
DMD
|
A professional doctoral degree for Dentists
|
Doctor of Dental Surgery
|
DDS
|
A professional doctoral degree for Dentists
|
Doctor of Medical Science
|
DMSc, DMS
|
A professional degree for physician assistants
|
Doctor of Medicine
|
MD
|
A professional doctoral degree for allopathic Physicians
|
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
|
ND, NMD
|
A professional doctoral degree for naturopathic Physicians
|
Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice
|
DNAP
|
A professional doctoral degree for Nurse Anesthetists
|
Doctor of Nursing Practice
|
DNP
|
A professional doctoral degree for Nurse Practitioners
|
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
|
OTD
|
A professional doctoral degree for Occupational Therapists
|
Doctor of Optometry
|
OD
|
A professional doctoral degree for Optometrists
|
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
|
DO
|
A professional doctoral degree for osteopathic Physicians
|
Doctor of Pharmacy
|
PharmD
|
A professional doctoral degree for Pharmacists
|
Doctor of Physical Therapy
|
DPT
|
A professional doctoral degree for Physical Therapists
|
Doctor of Physician Assistant Studies
|
DPAS
|
A professional doctoral degree for Physician Assistants
|
Doctor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
|
DScPAS
|
A professional doctoral degree for Physician Assistants
|
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
|
DPM
|
A professional doctoral degree for Podiatrists
|
Doctor of Public Health
|
DrPH
|
A professional doctoral degree for Public Health professionals
|
Doctor of Psychology
|
PsyD
|
A professional doctoral degree for clinical Psychologists
|
Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology
|
SLPD
|
A professional doctoral degree for Speech-Language Pathologists
|
Master of Physician Assistant Studies
|
MPAS, MsC
|
The minimum degree required for licensure as a Physician Assistant
|
Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
|
MS-SLP
|
The minimum degree required for licensure as a Speech-Language Pathologist
|
Master of Science in Nursing
|
MSN
|
A professional master's degree for Registered Nurses
|
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
|
BSN
|
A professional bachelor's degree for Registered Nurses
|
Associate Degree in Nursing
|
N/A
|
The minimum degree required for licensure as a Registered Nurse
|
Associate Degree in Paramedicine
|
N/A
|
The minimum degree required for licensure as a Paramedic
|
State Licensure (post-nominals different then degree)
|
Certified Nursing Assistant
|
CNA
|
Assistive personnel that is state licensed and works under the direction of a Registered Nurse
|
Emergency Medical Technician
|
EMT
|
An EMT must be certified by the NREMT to be eligible for initial state licensure
|
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician
|
AEMT
|
An AEMT must be certified by the NREMT to be eligible for initial state licensure
|
Paramedic
|
NRP
|
An NRP must be certified by the NREMT to be eligible for initial state licensure
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
|
LCSW
|
State licensed Social Worker
|
Licensed Master Social Worker
|
LMSW
|
State licensed Social Worker
|
Licensed Practical Nurse
|
LPN
|
Licensed by a state board of nursing and works under the direction of a Registered Nurse
|
Licensed Vocational Nurse
|
LVN
|
Licensed by a state board of nursing and works under the direction of a Registered Nurse
|
Nurse Practitioner
|
NP
|
State licensed Advance Practice Registered Nurse
|
Advanced Practice Nurse
|
APN
|
State licensed Advance Practice Registered Nurse
|
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
|
APRN
|
State licensed Advance Practice Registered Nurse
|
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
|
CRNA
|
State licensed Advance Practice Registered Nurse
|
Certified Nurse Midwife
|
CNM
|
State licensed Advance Practice Registered Nurse
|
Occupational Therapist
|
OT
|
State licensed Occupational Therapist
|
Physician Assistant
|
PA-C
|
A Physician Assistant must be certified by the NCCPA to be eligible for initial state licensure
|
Physical Therapist
|
PT
|
State licensed Physical Therapist
|
Registered Dental Hygienist
|
RDH
|
State licensed Dental Hygienist
|
Registered Dietitian
|
RD or RDN
|
A Registered Dietitian must be certified by the Commission on Dietetic Registration to be eligible for initial state licensure
|
Registered Nurse
|
RN
|
State licensed Registered Nurse
|
Registered Pharmacist
|
RPh
|
State licensed Pharmacist
|
Registered Respiratory Therapist
|
RRT or CRT
|
A Respiratory Therapist must be certified by the NBRC to be eligible for initial state licensure
|
Speech-Language Pathologist
|
CCC-SLP
|
State licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
|
Fellowships
|
Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians |
FAAFP |
American Academy of Family Physicians
|
Fellow of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition |
FASPEN |
American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
|
Fellow of the American Geriatrics Society |
AGSF |
American Geriatrics Society
|
Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology |
FAAN |
American Academy of Neurology
|
Fellow of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists |
FASHP |
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
|
Fellow of the American Academy of Emergency Physicians |
FAAEP |
American Academy of Emergency Physicians
Board of Certification in Emergency Medicine
American Association of Physician Specialists
|
Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians |
FACEP |
American College of Emergency Physicians
|
Fellow of the Aerospace Medical Association
|
FAsMA
|
Aerospace Medical Association
|
Fellow of the Academy of Emergency Medical Services |
FAEMS |
National Association of EMS Physicians
|
Fellow of the Academy of Operational Medicine
|
FAOM
|
Academy of Operational Medicine
|
Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine
|
FAWM
|
Wilderness Medical Society
|
Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics |
FAAP |
American Academy of Pediatrics
|
Fellow of the American College of Cardiology |
FACC |
American College of Cardiology
|
Fellow of the American College of Dentists |
FACD |
American College of Dentists
|
Fellow of the American College of Endocrinology |
FACE |
American College of Endocrinology
|
Fellow of the American College of Epidemiology |
FACE |
American College of Epidemiology
|
Fellow of the American College of Physicians |
FACP |
American College of Physicians
|
Fellow of the American Heart Association
|
FAHA
|
American Heart Association
|
Fellow of the American Vein & Lymphatic Society
|
FACPh
|
American Vein & Lymphatic Society
|
Fellow of the American College of Surgeons |
FACS |
American College of Surgeons
|
Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons |
FAAOS |
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
|
Fellow of the American Academy of Neurological Surgeons |
FAANS |
American Academy of Neurological Surgeons
|
Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons |
FACFAS |
American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
|
Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians |
FACOFP |
American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians
|
Fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists |
FACOG |
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
|
Fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America |
FIDSA |
Infectious Diseases Society of America
|
Certifications (not required for licensure)
|
American Board of Professional Psychology |
ABPP |
Qualification beyond state licensure currently in 13 specialties, including clinical, school, and forensic psychology
|
Basic Life Support Instructor
|
BLS-I
|
Any credentialing organization that conforms to the recent International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation guidelines for Basic Life Support.
|
Certified Genetic Counselor |
CGC |
The American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) is the credentialing organization for the genetic counseling profession in the United States and Canada. The ABGC certifies and recertifies qualified genetic counseling professionals. In this way, the work of the ABGC protects the public and promotes the ongoing growth and development of the genetic counseling profession.[53]
|
Certified Dietitian or Certified Dietitian Nutritionist
|
CD or CDN
|
(State) Department of Health. Minimum degree and practice requirements for certification as a Certified Dietitian or Certified Dietitian Nutritionist. Must be certified or eligible for certification by the Commission on Dietetic Registration to be eligible for initial state certification (must be eligible to hold RD/RDN credentials [Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credentials]). [54]
|
Certified Eating Disorder Specialist
|
CEDS
|
International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals[55]
|
Certified Health Education Specialist |
CHES |
National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.
|
Certified Nutritionist
|
CN
|
(State) Department of Health. Minimum degree required for certification as a Certified Nutritionist. [54]
|
Credentialed Professional Gerontologist
|
CPG
|
National Association for Professional Gerontologists
|
Master Certified Health Education Specialist |
MCHES |
National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.
|
Certified Director of Assisted Living
|
CDAL
|
Senior Living Certification Commission (SLCC) is a nonprofit corporation, autonomous from Argentum, with its own governing Board of Commissioners. SLCC offers a voluntary certification program for assisted living executive directors.
|
Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator
|
CHSE
|
Society for Simulation in Healthcare
|
Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (Advanced)
|
CHSE-A
|
Society for Simulation in Healthcare
|
Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist
|
CHSOS
|
Society for Simulation in Healthcare
|
Certified HIPAA Privacy Associate |
CHPA |
Basic level certification for covered entities and business associates employees, interns, volunteers and others.
|
Certified HIPAA Privacy Expert |
CHPE |
Intermediate level certification for covered entities and business associates employees who need to validate their HIPAA Privacy knowledge. This certification is mainly for HR staff, privacy consultants and Privacy compliance team members.
|
Certified HIPAA Privacy Security Expert |
CHPSE |
Highest level of certification for covered entities and business associates HIPAA compliance officer who need to validate their HIPAA Privacy & Security knowledge. This certification is mainly for compliance staff, HIPAA consultants, HIPAA auditors and HIPAA Compliance officer.
|
Certified Health Physicist
|
CHP
|
Certification as a professional health physicist awarded by the American Board of Health Physics and the American Academy of Health Physics.[56]
|
Diplomate of the American Board of Health Physics
|
DABHP
|
Certification as a professional health physicist awarded by the American Board of Health Physics and the American Academy of Health Physics.[56]
|
Registered Radiation Protection Technologist |
RRPT |
Registration as a Radiation Protection Technologist by meeting the required standards set forward by the National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists.[57]
|
Certified HIPAA Professional |
CHP |
|
Certified Professional in Infection Control
|
CIC
|
|
Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse |
CHPLN |
must hold a current, unrestricted practical/vocational nurse license in the United States or its territories and must have hospice and palliative licensed practical/vocational nursing practice of 500 hours in the most recent 12 months or 1000 hours in the most recent 24 months prior to applying for the examination.[58]
|
Certified HIPAA Security Expert |
CHSE |
Intermediate level certification for covered entities and business associates employees who need to validate their HIPAA Security knowledge. This certification is mainly for IT staff, security consultants and Security compliance team members.
|
Certified HIPAA Security Specialist |
CHSS
|
|
Certified in Medical Quality |
CMQ |
American College of Medical Quality (ACMQ)
|
Certified Orthotist |
CO |
Certified by the American Board for Orthotist/Prosthetics Certification (ABC)
|
Certified Sex Therapist |
CST
|
|
Certified Tissue Banking Specialist |
CTBS
|
|
Certified Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse |
CWOCN, CWCN, COCN, CCCN or CWON |
Must hold a bachelor's degree in Nursing and complete WOC Education Program accredited by the WOCN Society. Certification must be re-established every five years.
|
Diplomate of the American Board of Medical Physics |
DABMP |
|
Diplomate of the American Board of Radiology |
DABR |
|
Diplomate of the American Board of Science in Nuclear Medicine |
DABSNM |
|
National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences
|
NBC-HIS
|
The achievement of this designation represents the initiative to excel beyond the normal requirements for operating a hearing instrument dispensing practice. The designation, BC-HIS (Board Certified in Hearing Instrument Sciences), distinguishes the Board Certificant's outstanding skills and professional expertise needed for completion of the National Competency Exam.
|
Board Certified Critical Care Paramedic |
CCP-C |
International Board of Specialty Certification (IBSC)
|
Board Certified Flight Paramedic |
FP-C |
International Board of Specialty Certification (IBSC)
|
Board Certified Community Paramedic |
CP-C |
International Board of Specialty Certification (IBSC)
|
Board Certified Tactical Paramedic |
TP-C |
International Board of Specialty Certification (IBSC)
|
Board Certified Tactical Responder |
TR-C |
International Board of Specialty Certification (IBSC)
|
Board Certified Designated Infection Control Officer |
DICO-C |
International Board of Specialty Certification (IBSC)
|
Board Certified Wilderness Paramedic |
WP-C |
International Board of Specialty Certification (IBSC) [In preparatory phase as of August, 2022]
|
Mobile Intensive Care Paramedic (Alaska) |
MICP |
MICPs are currently licensed by the Alaska State Medical Board
|
Certified Massage Therapist |
CMT |
Certification by individual state boards
|
Licensed Massage Therapist |
LMT |
Licensure by individual state boards Requires passing of NCETMB or MBLEx
|
Licensed Clinical Massage Therapist |
LCMT |
Licensure by individual state boards Requires passing of NCETMB or MBLEx Clinical education specialized for health care practice
|
Licensed Midwife |
LM |
state or provincial licensing
|
Certified Professional Midwife |
CPM |
North American Registry of Midwives
|
Nationally Certified EMS Educator |
NCEE |
Education credential awarded by the National Association of EMS Educators upon demonstrated experience teaching EMS programs and earning a successful passing score on the National EMS Educator Certification (NEMSEC) Exam
|
Music Therapist- Board Certified |
MT-BC |
Certification Board for Music Therapists[59]
|
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant |
COTA |
State licensure; National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapists[60]
|
Physical Therapy Assistant |
PTA |
State licensure
|
Certified in Public Health |
CPH |
National Board of Public Health Examiners
|
Medical Laboratory Scientist |
MLS |
American Society for Clinical Pathology
|
Medical Technologist |
MT |
State Licensure, American Medical Technologists
|
Medical Laboratory Technician |
MLT |
State Licensure, American Society for Clinical Pathology, American Medical Technologists
|
Licensed Professional Counselor |
LPC or LCPC |
State licensure
|
Licensed Associate Counselor |
LAC |
State licensure
|
Certified Tissue Bank Specialist |
CTBS |
American Association of Tissue Banks
|
National Board Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist |
NBCCH |
National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists
|
National Board Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist in Public Service |
NBCCH-PS |
National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists
|
National Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Hypnotherapy |
NBCDCH |
National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists
|
National Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Hypnotherapy in Public Service |
NBCDCH-PS |
National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists
|
National Board Certified Fellow in Clinical Hypnotherapy |
NBCFCH |
National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists
|
National Board Certified Fellow in Clinical Hypnotherapy in Public Service |
NBCFCH-PS |
National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists
|
Licensed Acupuncturist |
L.Ac. |
State licensure
|
Diplomate in Acupuncture |
Dipl.Ac. |
National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
|
Diplomate in Oriental Medicine |
Dipl.O.M. |
National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
|
Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine |
DABFM |
American Board of Family Medicine
|
Diplomate of the American Board of Medical Microbiology |
D(ABMM) |
American Board of Medical Microbiology[61]
|
Diplomate of the American Board of Venous & Lymphatic Medicine
|
DABVLM
|
American Board of Venous & Lymphatic Medicine
|
Certified Aerospace Physiologist |
CAsP |
Aerospace Medical Association
|
Certified Pharmacy Technician |
CPhT |
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board
|
Certified Phlebotomy Technician |
CPT |
National Healthcareer Association
|
Certified Personal Trainer |
CPT |
Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, National Academy of Sports Medicine, American Council on Exercise, National Strength & Conditioning Association
|
Certified Athletic trainer |
ATC |
Board of Certification, Inc.
May be restricted by state licensure.
|
Certified Medical Assistant |
CMA |
American Association of Medical Assistants
|
Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer |
RDMS |
American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography
|
Registered Vascular Technologist |
RVT |
American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography
|
Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer |
RDCS |
American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography
|
Registered Musculoskeletal Sonographer |
RMSKS |
American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography
|