Healthcare Credential Abbreviations

122 abbreviations · part of Medical Abbreviations

Healthcare credential abbreviations follow clinicians' names on badges, signatures and directories and show their degree, license and specialty certification, such as RN, BSN, FNP-BC, PA-C or CCC-SLP. Licenses (RN, LPN, LCSW) are granted by state boards and are required to practice, while certifications (CCRN, CEN, OCN) come from national boards and show specialty expertise. A common convention lists the highest earned degree first, then licensure, state designations, national certifications and honors, though order varies by profession.

AbbreviationStands forDescription
ADNAssociate Degree in NursingUmbrella term for any associate-level nursing program, usually two to three years including prerequisites, that ends with eligibility for the NCLEX-RN exam.
AEMTAdvanced emergency medical technicianEMS level between EMT and paramedic, adding skills such as IV and intraosseous access, supraglottic airways and a limited set of medications, including dextrose and…
AGACNPAdult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse PractitionerNurse practitioner prepared to care for acutely and critically ill adults from late adolescence through older age, typically in hospitals, ICUs and specialty services.
AGPCNPAdult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse PractitionerNurse practitioner focused on primary care for adolescents, adults and older adults, including prevention, chronic disease management and care in clinics and long-term…
APNAdvanced practice nurseOlder umbrella term for nurses with graduate-level advanced clinical preparation, such as nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives, nurse anesthetists and clinical nurse…
APRNAdvanced practice registered nurseRegistered nurse with graduate education and national certification in one of four roles: nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife or…
ARNPAdvanced registered nurse practitionerState-specific title for advanced practice nurses, including nurse practitioners, used in Washington and formerly in Florida and some other states.
ATCCertified athletic trainerCredential from the Board of Certification (BOC) for athletic trainers, who prevent, assess and treat injuries in athletes and active people.
AuDDoctor of AudiologyFour-year clinical doctorate that is the entry-level degree for audiologists, who diagnose hearing loss and balance disorders and fit hearing aids and cochlear implants.
BSNBachelor of Science in NursingFour-year nursing degree that combines science prerequisites with clinical rotations and courses in leadership, research and community health; graduates take the…
CCC-SLPCertificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language PathologyNational certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) for speech-language pathologists.
CCMACertified Clinical Medical AssistantMedical assistant certification from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) focusing on clinical skills such as vital signs, injections, phlebotomy and ECGs.
CCP-CCertified Critical Care ParamedicSpecialty certification from the International Board of Specialty Certification (IBSC) for paramedics who perform critical care transport between hospitals.
CCRNCritical care registered nurse certificationSpecialty certification for nurses caring for acutely or critically ill adults, children or newborns, awarded by the AACN Certification Corporation.
CDCESCertified Diabetes Care and Education SpecialistCredential for health professionals who teach and support people with diabetes, awarded by the Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education (CBDCE).
CENCertified Emergency NurseSpecialty certification for emergency nurses awarded by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN).
CFRNCertified Flight Registered NurseBCEN certification for registered nurses working in air medical transport on helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
CHHACertified home health aideHome health aide certified by a state after completing approved training and testing, used in states such as New Jersey.
CHPNCertified Hospice and Palliative NurseCertification for registered nurses caring for patients with serious or life-limiting illness, awarded by the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC).
CICCertified in Infection Prevention and ControlCredential awarded by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) to infection preventionists who pass its exam.
CMCertified MidwifeMidwife credential for people with a non-nursing background who complete the same graduate midwifery education and AMCB certification exam as nurse-midwives.
CMACertified Medical AssistantCredential from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), written CMA (AAMA).
CMSRNCertified Medical-Surgical Registered NurseCertification for experienced medical-surgical nurses awarded by the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB), affiliated with the Academy of…
CNACertified nursing assistantEntry-level caregiver who helps patients with bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, mobility and vital signs under the supervision of nurses.
CNLClinical Nurse LeaderMaster's-prepared nurse generalist who coordinates care at the point of care, monitors outcomes and leads quality improvement on a unit.
CNMCertified nurse-midwifeAdvanced practice registered nurse who provides prenatal care, attends births, and offers gynecologic and family planning care.
CNORCertified perioperative nurseCertification for registered nurses working in the operating room and perioperative settings, awarded by the Competency and Credentialing Institute (CCI).
CNPCertified nurse practitionerFormal title used in the APRN Consensus Model and by some states for nurse practitioners who hold national certification and state licensure.
CNSClinical nurse specialistAdvanced practice registered nurse with graduate preparation in a specialty, such as adult-gerontology, pediatrics or neonatal care, who improves outcomes through…
COTACertified Occupational Therapy AssistantCredential from NBCOT for occupational therapy assistants who complete an accredited associate degree program and pass the certification exam.
CPENCertified Pediatric Emergency NurseCertification for nurses who care for children in emergency settings, developed jointly by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing and the Pediatric Nursing…
CPhTCertified Pharmacy TechnicianCredential for pharmacy technicians who pass a national certification exam, most commonly from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
CPMCertified Professional MidwifeMidwife credential from the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) for practitioners trained to attend births outside hospitals, at home or in birth centers.
CPNCertified Pediatric NurseCertification for registered nurses caring for children, awarded by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).
CPTCertified phlebotomy technicianCredential for phlebotomists who draw blood specimens, offered by organizations such as the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
CRNACertified registered nurse anesthetistAdvanced practice registered nurse who administers anesthesia and related care for surgery, obstetrics, pain management and procedures.
CRNPCertified registered nurse practitionerNurse practitioner title used by states such as Pennsylvania and Maryland.
CRRNCertified Rehabilitation Registered NurseCertification for registered nurses in rehabilitation settings, awarded by the Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Board, affiliated with the Association of…
CRTCertified Respiratory TherapistEntry-level credential from the NBRC awarded to respiratory therapy graduates who pass the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) exam at the lower cut score.
CSTCertified Surgical TechnologistCredential from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) for surgical technologists who complete an accredited program and pass its exam.
CWOCNCertified Wound Ostomy Continence NurseCertification awarded by the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB) to nurses expert in all three areas: complex wounds, ostomy care and…
DCDoctor of ChiropracticProfessional degree for chiropractors, who focus on musculoskeletal problems, especially of the spine, using manual adjustment and other conservative treatments.
DDSDoctor of Dental SurgeryFirst professional degree for dentists in the US and Canada, earned after four years at a dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
DMDDoctor of Dental MedicineDental degree equivalent to the DDS, awarded by Harvard, Penn, Tufts, Boston University and dozens of other schools after four years of CODA-accredited dental education.
DNPDoctor of Nursing PracticeClinical doctorate for nurses that focuses on translating evidence into practice, quality improvement and leadership rather than original research.
DODoctor of Osteopathic MedicineDegree held by osteopathic physicians, who are fully licensed to practice medicine and surgery in all 50 states.
DPMDoctor of Podiatric MedicineFour-year degree for podiatrists, physicians and surgeons who specialize in the foot, ankle and lower leg.
DPTDoctor of Physical TherapyEntry-level professional degree for physical therapists in the US, usually three years after a bachelor's degree, combining coursework in anatomy, kinesiology and…
DTRDietetic technician, registeredCredential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration for nutrition and dietetics technicians who complete an accredited program and pass the national exam.
EMREmergency medical responderFirst level of the US National EMS Scope of Practice Model, trained to provide immediate lifesaving care, such as CPR, bleeding control and AED use, before an ambulance…
EMTEmergency medical technicianLicensed or certified EMS clinician trained in basic life support: CPR, airway adjuncts, oxygen, bleeding control, splinting, patient assessment and certain medications…
EMT-PEmergency medical technician-paramedicOlder title for a paramedic, the highest standard level of prehospital provider in the US, still seen on badges and in some state regulations.
ENPEmergency nurse practitionerNurse practitioner with specialized preparation for emergency care, certified as ENP-C by the AANP Certification Board.
FAAPFellow of the American Academy of PediatricsDesignation used by board-certified pediatricians who are fellows of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
FACEPFellow of the American College of Emergency PhysiciansDesignation for emergency physicians recognized by ACEP after meeting criteria for board certification, years of membership and professional contributions.
FACPFellow of the American College of PhysiciansHonorary designation for internal medicine physicians recognized by the American College of Physicians for excellence and contributions to medicine.
FACSFellow of the American College of SurgeonsDesignation for surgeons admitted to fellowship in the American College of Surgeons after meeting standards for training, board certification, ethics and surgical…
FNPFamily nurse practitionerNurse practitioner certified to care for patients of all ages, from infants to older adults, in primary care.
FNP-BCFamily Nurse Practitioner-Board CertifiedFamily nurse practitioner credential awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to graduates of accredited FNP programs who pass its certification exam.
FNP-CFamily Nurse Practitioner-CertifiedFamily nurse practitioner credential awarded by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) after passing its exam.
FP-CCertified Flight ParamedicIBSC certification for paramedics working in helicopter and fixed-wing air medical transport.
GNGraduate nurseTitle for someone who has completed a nursing program but has not yet passed the NCLEX licensing exam.
GNAGeriatric nursing assistantMaryland credential for certified nursing assistants who have passed the state competency exam and may work in licensed nursing homes.
HHAHome health aideAide who provides personal care, such as bathing, dressing, light housekeeping and basic health monitoring, in patients' homes under the supervision of a nurse or…
IBCLCInternational Board Certified Lactation ConsultantCertification for breastfeeding and lactation specialists awarded by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE).
LCSWLicensed Clinical Social WorkerState license for social workers who provide clinical services such as psychotherapy, diagnosis of mental health conditions and crisis intervention.
LMFTLicensed Marriage and Family TherapistState license for therapists who treat individuals, couples and families with a relational and systems approach.
LMHCLicensed Mental Health CounselorState license for professional counselors used in states such as New York, Massachusetts, Florida and Washington, equivalent to LPC elsewhere.
LMSWLicensed Master Social WorkerState license for social workers with a master's degree who have passed the ASWB Master's exam.
LNALicensed nursing assistantTitle for nursing assistants in states such as New Hampshire and Vermont, where they are licensed rather than certified by the state board of nursing.
LNHALicensed Nursing Home AdministratorState license required to run a nursing home in the United States.
LPCLicensed Professional CounselorState license for mental health counselors with a master's degree in counseling who provide psychotherapy and assessment.
LPNLicensed practical nurseNurse who provides basic bedside care, such as vital signs, wound care, medication administration and monitoring, under the direction of a registered nurse or physician.
LVNLicensed vocational nurseTitle used in California and Texas for the nursing role called licensed practical nurse elsewhere in the United States.
MAMedical assistantClinic worker who rooms patients, takes vital signs, gives injections in many states, collects specimens and handles scheduling and records under the supervision of…
MBBSBachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of SurgeryPrimary medical degree in the UK, India, Pakistan, Australia, Nigeria and many Commonwealth countries, typically a five- or six-year undergraduate program followed by…
MDDoctor of MedicineMedical degree earned in the United States and Canada after four years at a school accredited by the LCME, following a bachelor's degree and the MCAT.
MHAMaster of Health AdministrationGraduate degree that prepares students to manage hospitals, health systems, clinics and insurers, covering health economics, finance, operations and policy.
MPHMaster of Public HealthGraduate degree, typically 42 or more credits over one to two years, in epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, health policy and social and behavioral…
MSNMaster of Science in NursingGraduate nursing degree for registered nurses that prepares them for advanced practice as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists or nurse-midwives, or for…
MSWMaster of Social WorkGraduate social work degree accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), usually 60 credits over two years with at least 900 hours of supervised field…
NCLEXNational Council Licensure ExaminationStandardized licensing exam that nursing graduates must pass to become licensed: NCLEX-RN for registered nurses and NCLEX-PN for practical or vocational nurses.
NE-BCNurse Executive-Board CertifiedANCC certification for nurse leaders in management roles such as nurse managers and directors.
NNPNeonatal nurse practitionerNurse practitioner caring for newborns, especially premature and critically ill infants in NICUs, including resuscitation at delivery, procedures and daily management.
NPNurse practitionerAdvanced practice registered nurse with graduate education who diagnoses and treats illness, orders tests and prescribes medications.
NREMTNational Registry of Emergency Medical TechniciansNonprofit organization that provides national certification exams for EMS clinicians at the EMR, EMT, AEMT and paramedic levels.
NRPNationally Registered ParamedicCredential from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians for paramedics who complete an accredited program and pass its cognitive and psychomotor exams.
OCNOncology Certified NurseCertification for registered nurses caring for adults with cancer, awarded by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC).
ODDoctor of OptometryFour-year professional degree for optometrists, who perform eye exams, prescribe glasses and contact lenses and, depending on state law, diagnose and treat many eye…
OTOccupational therapistLicensed clinician who helps people perform everyday activities, such as self-care, work and play, after injury, illness or disability, through adaptive techniques…
OTDDoctor of Occupational TherapyDoctoral degree in occupational therapy, offered either as an entry-level program of about three years leading to NBCOT certification or as a post-professional degree…
OTROccupational Therapist, RegisteredCredential from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) for occupational therapists who passed its certification exam.
OTR/LOccupational Therapist, Registered, LicensedCredential combination showing an occupational therapist is both registered with NBCOT and licensed by a state.
PAPhysician assistantLicensed clinician who examines, diagnoses and treats patients, orders tests and prescribes medications, working in collaboration with physicians.
PA-CPhysician Assistant-CertifiedCredential showing that a physician assistant has passed the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) and maintains certification with the National…
PCAPatient care assistantHospital job title for unlicensed staff who help nurses with bathing, toileting, ambulation, vital signs and room turnover.
PCCNProgressive Care Certified NurseAACN certification for nurses caring for acutely ill adults in progressive, step-down, intermediate care and telemetry units.
PCTPatient care technicianHospital or dialysis role combining nursing assistant duties with technical skills such as phlebotomy, ECGs, glucose testing and catheter care.
PharmDDoctor of PharmacyProfessional doctorate that has been the only entry-level degree for pharmacists in the United States since the early 2000s, typically four years after two or more…
PMHNPPsychiatric-Mental Health Nurse PractitionerNurse practitioner who assesses, diagnoses and treats mental health and substance use conditions across the lifespan, including prescribing psychiatric medications and…
PNPPediatric nurse practitionerNurse practitioner specializing in care of children from birth through young adulthood, in either primary care (CPNP-PC) or acute care (CPNP-AC).
PsyDDoctor of PsychologyClinical doctorate for psychologists that emphasizes assessment and therapy over research, following the practitioner-scholar model endorsed at the 1973 Vail Conference.
PTPhysical therapistLicensed clinician who examines and treats movement problems caused by injury, surgery, illness or disability using exercise, manual therapy and education.
PTAPhysical therapist assistantLicensed or certified clinician who provides physical therapy treatments under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist, following the PT's plan of care.
RDRegistered dietitianCredential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) for nutrition experts who complete accredited education, supervised practice and the national exam.
RDNRegistered dietitian nutritionistOptional form of the registered dietitian credential, introduced in 2013 to emphasize nutrition in the title.
RHIARegistered Health Information AdministratorAHIMA credential for health information management professionals with a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited program who pass the RHIA exam.
RHITRegistered Health Information TechnicianAHIMA credential for health information professionals who complete an accredited associate degree program and pass the exam.
RMARegistered Medical AssistantMedical assistant credential awarded by American Medical Technologists (AMT) after passing its exam.
RNRegistered nurseLicensed nurse who assesses patients, plans and delivers care, gives medications, educates patients and coordinates with other professionals.
RNC-NICRegistered Nurse Certified in Neonatal Intensive Care NursingNCC certification for NICU nurses who care for critically ill and premature newborns.
RNC-OBRegistered Nurse Certified in Inpatient Obstetric NursingCertification for labor and delivery and antepartum nurses awarded by the National Certification Corporation (NCC).
RPhRegistered pharmacistLicensed pharmacist authorized by a state board of pharmacy to dispense medications, counsel patients and oversee pharmacy operations.
RRTRegistered Respiratory TherapistAdvanced respiratory therapy credential from the NBRC, earned by passing the Therapist Multiple-Choice exam at the high cut score and the Clinical Simulation Exam.
RTRespiratory therapistLicensed clinician who manages ventilators, oxygen therapy, breathing treatments, airway care and pulmonary diagnostics, often in emergency and intensive care settings.
RT(R)Registered Technologist in RadiographyCredential from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) for radiographers who perform X-ray imaging.
SLPSpeech-language pathologistProfessional who evaluates and treats communication and swallowing disorders, including articulation, language, fluency (stuttering) and voice problems.
SRNAStudent registered nurse anesthetistRegistered nurse enrolled in a nurse anesthesia program, gaining clinical experience under supervision of CRNAs and anesthesiologists.
STNAState tested nurse aideOhio title for nurse aides who completed approved training and passed the state competency exam, allowing them to work in long-term care facilities.
TCRNTrauma Certified Registered NurseBCEN certification covering trauma nursing across the continuum of care, from prevention and prehospital care through emergency, critical care and rehabilitation.
UAPUnlicensed assistive personnelUmbrella term for healthcare workers without a professional license, such as nursing assistants, patient care technicians and medication aides, who perform tasks…
WHNPWomen's Health Nurse PractitionerNurse practitioner focused on gynecologic, reproductive, prenatal and postpartum, and menopausal care.

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