Healthcare professional credentials are credentials awarded to many healthcare practitioners as a way to standardize the level of education and ability to provide care.

Clinicians

Physician A physician (American English), medical practitioner (Commonwealth English), medical doctor, or simply doctor, is a health professional who practices medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring health through th ...

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery ( la, Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae; abbreviated most commonly MBBS), is the primary medical degree awarded by medical schools in countries that follow the tradition of the United K ...

(MBBS) **

Doctor of Medicine Doctor of Medicine (abbreviated M.D., from the Latin ''Medicinae Doctor'') is a medical degree, the meaning of which varies between different jurisdictions. In the United States, and some other countries, the M.D. denotes a professional degree. ...

(M.D.) **

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO or D.O., or in Australia DO USA) is a medical degree conferred by the 38 osteopathic medical schools in the United States. DO and Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees are equivalent: a DO graduate may become lice ...

(D.O.) *

Dentist A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a health care professional who specializes in dentistry (the diagnosis, prevention, management, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity and other aspects of the craniofacial c ...

** Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) **

Doctor of Dental Medicine Doctor or The Doctor may refer to: Personal titles * Doctor (title), the holder of an accredited academic degree * A medical practitioner, including: ** Physician ** Surgeon ** Dentist ** Veterinary physician ** Optometrist *Other roles ** ...

(DMD) ** Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) *

Optometrist Optometry is a specialized health care profession that involves examining the eyes and related structures for defects or abnormalities. Optometrists are health care professionals who typically provide comprehensive primary eye care. In the Un ...

Doctor of Optometry Optometry is a specialized health care profession that involves examining the eyes and related structures for defects or abnormalities. Optometrists are health care professionals who typically provide comprehensive primary eye care. In the Uni ...

(OD) *

Podiatrist A podiatrist ( ) is a medical professional devoted to the treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. The term originated in North America but has now become the accepted term in the English-speaking world for ...

** Doctor of Podiatry (DPM) *

Chiropractor Chiropractic is a form of alternative medicine concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially of the spine. It has esoteric origins and is based on several pseudosci ...

Doctor of Chiropractic Chiropractic education trains students in chiropractic. The entry criteria, structure, teaching methodology and nature of chiropractic programs offered at chiropractic schools vary considerably around the world. Students are trained in academic ar ...

(DC) *

Physician Assistant A physician assistant or physician associate (PA) is a type of mid-level health care provider. In North America PAs may diagnose illnesses, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and may serve as a principal healthcare prov ...

(PA) ** Doctor of Medical Science (D.Med.Sc.), (D.M.Sc.) **

Master of Medical Science This list refers to specific master's degrees in North America. Please see master's degree for a more general overview. Accountancy Master of Accountancy (MAcc, MAc, MAcy or MPAcc), alternatively Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAcy or MP ...

(M.Med.Sc), (M.M.Sc.) ** Master of Physician Assistant Studies (M.P.A.S.) ** Professional (Second-entry) Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant (B.Sc.PA.), (B.H.Sc.PA) *

Pharmacist A pharmacist, also known as a chemist (Commonwealth English) or a druggist (North American and, archaically, Commonwealth English), is a healthcare professional who prepares, controls and distributes medicines and provides advice and instructi ...

(R.Ph.) **

Doctor of Pharmacy A Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD; New Latin: ''Pharmaciae Doctor'') is a professional doctorate in pharmacy. In some countries, it is a doctoral degree to practice the profession of pharmacy or to become a clinical pharmacist. In many countries t ...

(PharmD) ** Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) **

Bachelor of Pharmacy A Bachelor of Pharmacy (abbreviated B Pharm or PharmB or BS Pharm) is a graduate academic degree in the field of pharmacy. In many countries, this degree is a prerequisite for registration to practice as a pharmacist. Since both PharmB and Phar ...

(B.Pharm)

Medical Researchers

* Philosophiae Doctor (Ph.D.) * Dr. mr. (Doctor of Medical Research)

Allied Health Professionals

Respiratory practitioner A respiratory therapist is a specialized healthcare practitioner trained in critical care and cardio-pulmonary medicine in order to work therapeutically with people who have acute critical conditions, cardiac and pulmonary disease. Respirator ...

(aka "respiratory therapist" or "respiratory care practitioner") (RRT, CRT) **

Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy An Associate of Science in Respiratory Care (ASRC) is an entry-level tertiary education respiratory therapy Academic degree, degree. In the United States, this type of degree is usually awarded by community colleges or similar respiratory schools. ...

(ASRT) **

Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care (BSRC or BScRC) is a four-year academic degree in the science and principles of respiratory care, granted by a tertiary education university or similarly accredited school. In the United States one is e ...

(BSRT) ** Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy (MSRT) *

Paramedic A paramedic is a registered healthcare professional who works autonomously across a range of health and care settings and may specialise in clinical practice, as well as in education, leadership, and research. Not all ambulance personnel are p ...

(NRP) *

Emergency Medical Technician An emergency medical technician (EMT), also known as an ambulance technician, is a health professional that provides emergency medical services. EMTs are most commonly found working in ambulances. In English-speaking countries, paramedics are ...

(EMT-B, EMT-I, EMT-IV, EMT-I/99, EMT-I/89, NREMT, NRAEMT) *

Athletic Trainer Athletic training is an allied health care profession recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA)"What is an Athletic Trainer?". The Board of Certification Website. 2003. Athletic training is also recognized by the Health Resources Serv ...

(ATC) ** Bachelor of Science in Athletic Trainer (BS) ** Masters of Athletic Training (MSAT, MAT) ** CAATE ** Board of Certification, Inc. (ATC) *

Dietician A dietitian, medical dietitian, or dietician is an expert in identifying and treating disease-related malnutrition and in conducting medical nutrition therapy, for example designing an enteral tube feeding regimen or mitigating the effects of ca ...

** Registered Dietitian (RD) ** Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) *

Radiographer Radiographers, also known as radiologic technologists, diagnostic radiographers and medical radiation technologists are healthcare professionals who specialize in the imaging of human anatomy for the diagnosis and treatment of pathology. Rad ...

and specialties **Varies by country, ''see main article''. *

Occupational therapist Occupational therapists (OTs) are health care professionals specializing in occupational therapy and occupational science. OTs and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) use scientific bases and a holistic perspective to promote a person's abi ...

Master of Occupational Therapy Occupational therapy (OT) is a global healthcare profession. It involves the use of assessment and intervention to develop, recover, or maintain the meaningful activities, or ''occupations'', of individuals, groups, or communities. The field of ...

(MOT) ** Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) *

Physical therapist Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is one of the allied health professions. It is provided by physical therapists who promote, maintain, or restore health through physical examination, diagnosis, management, prognosis, patien ...

** Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) **

Doctor of Physical Therapy A Doctor of Physical Therapy or Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT) degree is a qualifying degree in physical therapy. In the United States, it is considered a graduate-level first professional degree or doctorate degree for professional practice. In the ...

(DPT) * Speech therapist/Speech-Language Pathologist **

Speech and Language Pathologist Speech is a human vocal communication using language. Each language uses phonetic combinations of vowel and consonant sounds that form the sound of its words (that is, all English words sound different from all French words, even if they are th ...

(SLP) *

Music therapist Music therapy, an allied health profession, "is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music th ...

** Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) ** Master of Music Therapy (MMT) *

Surgical technologist A surgical technologist, also called a scrub, scrub tech, surgical technician, or operating room technician, is an allied health professional working as a part of the team delivering surgical care. Surgical technologists are members of the surg ...

** Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology * Medical Laboratory Technician/Medical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist (MLT, MLS, MT) ** Associate of Science in Medical (Clinical) Laboratory Sciences (ASMLS, ASCLS, degrees, MLT Certification Eligible if from a NAACLS accredited program) ** Bachelor of Science in Medical (Clinical) Laboratory Sciences (BSMT, BSMLS, BSCLS degrees, MLS Certification Eligible if from a NAACLS accredited program) ** Masters of Science in Medical (Clinical) Laboratory Sciences (MSMLS, MSCLS degrees) ** Doctor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences (DSCLS degree)

Nursing

{{See also, Nursing credentials and certifications *

Registered nurse A registered nurse (RN) is a nurse who has graduated or successfully passed a nursing program from a recognized nursing school and met the requirements outlined by a country, state, province or similar government-authorized licensing body to o ...

(RN) **

Doctor of Nursing Practice The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a professional degree in nursing. In the United States, the DNP is one of three doctorate degrees in nursing, the others being the research degrees PhD and the Doctor of Nursing Science. Internationally, ...

(DNP) **

Master of Science in Nursing A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is an advanced-level postgraduate degree for registered nurses and is considered an entry-level degree for nurse educators and managers. The degree also may prepare a nurse to seek a career as a nurse admin ...

(MSN) **

Bachelor of Science in Nursing The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN, BScN) also known in some countries as a Bachelor of Nursing (BN) or Bachelor of Science (BS) with a Major in Nursing is an academic degree in the science and principles of nursing, granted by an accredited ...

(BSN) **

Associate of Science in Nursing An Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) is a tertiary education nursing degree which typically takes 2–3 years to complete. In the United States, this type of degree is usually awarded by community colleges or similar nursing schools. Some ...

(ASN) **

Diploma in Nursing A Diploma in Nursing or Nursing Diploma is an entry-level tertiary education nursing credential. Background In the United States, this diploma is usually awarded by hospital-based nursing schools. Diploma programs in the United States require 2 ...

Practical nurse A licensed practical nurse (LPN), in much of the United States and Canada, is a nurse who cares for people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled. In the United States, LPNs work under the direction of physicians, mid-level practi ...

(PN, LPN, VN) * Certified anesthesiologist assistant (CAA)

Assistants

* Nurse aide (CNA) * Nurse technician (CNT) * Care partner (CP) * Medical Assistants ** Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) ** Certified Medical Assistant - Admin (CMA-A) ** Certified Medical Assistant - Clinical (CMA-C) ** Certified Medical Assistant - Admin and Clinical (CMA-AC) ** Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) ** Medical Assistant (MA) ** Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) ** Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) * Pharmacy Technician ** Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)

Therapy assistants

* Physical therapy assistant (PTA) **Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical therapy Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is one of the allied health professions. It is provided by physical therapists who promote, maintain, or restore health through physical examination, diagnosis, management, prognosis, pat ...

Occupational therapy assistant {{More citations needed, date=April 2021 Rehabilitation Assistants (RAs), also referred to as occupational therapist assistants (OTAs) and physiotherapist assistants (PTAs) are members of the health care team who work under the supervision of an occ ...

**Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant(AAS OTA) (COTA)

Alternative Medicine

* Naturopaths **

Naturopathy Naturopathy, or naturopathic medicine, is a form of alternative medicine. A wide array of pseudoscientific practices branded as "natural", "non-invasive", or promoting "self-healing" are employed by its practitioners, who are known as naturo ...

(ND)