2025 List of Medical Credential Abbreviations
Medical credentials include a range of degrees, licenses, and certifications that specify a healthcare professional’s education, scope of practice, and areas of expertise.
Table of Contents
Common medical degrees
These abbreviations typically follow a professional’s name, with the highest degree listed first.
MD: Doctor of Medicine
DO: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
DNP: Doctor of Nursing Practice
PhD: Doctor of Philosophy (can be in a medical-related field)
MBBS: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (equivalent to MD outside the U.S.)
PharmD: Doctor of Pharmacy
DDS: Doctor of Dental Surgery
DMD: Doctor of Dental Medicine
DPM: Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
DPT: Doctor of Physical Therapy
OTD: Doctor of Occupational Therapy
OD: Doctor of Optometry
DC: Doctor of Chiropractic
Nursing and advanced practice credentials
RN: Registered Nurse
LPN: Licensed Practical Nurse (or LVN in some states)
APRN: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
NP: Nurse Practitioner
FNP: Family Nurse Practitioner
PMHNP: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
CNM: Certified Nurse-Midwife
CRNA: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
CNS: Clinical Nurse Specialist
BSN: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
MSN: Master of Science in Nursing
CNA: Certified Nursing Assistant
Other healthcare professional credentials
PA-C: Physician Assistant–Certified (clinicians who practice medicine on healthcare teams)
RD/RDN: Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
RRT: Registered Respiratory Therapist
SLP: Speech-Language Pathologist
OTR/L: Occupational Therapist, Registered/Licensed
PT: Physical Therapist
EMT: Emergency Medical Technician
NREMT: National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
CPhT: Certified Pharmacy Technician
MA: Medical Assistant
Medical specialty board certifications
Board certification demonstrates advanced training and expertise in a specific medical specialty. It is often designated by adding “-BC” (Board Certified) or using specific fellowship credentials.
DABOM: Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine
FAAFP: Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians
FACP: Fellow of the American College of Physicians
FACS: Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
FAAN: Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing
FACC: Fellow of the American College of Cardiology
What are the Common Nursing Credentials and Their Scopes of Practice?
Here is a list of common nursing credentials along with their general scopes of practice:
CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)
Scope: Provides basic patient care under supervision, including hygiene, vitals, and assisting with daily activities.LPN / LVN (Licensed Practical Nurse / Licensed Vocational Nurse)
Scope: Provides basic nursing care, administers medications, monitors patient health, and reports to RNs and doctors. Works under RN supervision.RN (Registered Nurse)
Scope: Performs assessments, administers medications and treatments, coordinates care plans, educates patients, and supervises LPNs and CNAs.BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
Scope: Entry-level degree for RNs with additional training in leadership, critical thinking, and public health.MSN (Master of Science in Nursing)
Scope: Advanced practice nurses who may specialize (e.g., nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists) providing direct patient care, diagnosis, and treatment.DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice)
Scope: Highest clinical nursing degree focusing on advanced clinical practice, leadership, and healthcare systems improvement.APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse)
Scope: A category including nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives with expanded scope including prescribing medications.NP (Nurse Practitioner)
Scope: Provides primary and specialty care, diagnoses and treats illnesses, prescribes medications, and manages patient care independently in many states.CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist)
Scope: Provides anesthesia care and pain management, often working alongside anesthesiologists.CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife)
Scope: Provides prenatal, childbirth, postpartum, and gynecological care.Specialty Certifications (e.g., CCRN, CEN, OCN)
Scope: Validates expertise in specific clinical areas like critical care, emergency nursing, oncology, etc.
These credentials represent a progression in education and scope from basic patient care roles up to advanced clinical practice and leadership in nursing. Certifications further demonstrate specialized knowledge beyond licensure degrees.
