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.
What are FHRS, FSCAI, CCDS, FSM, specialty designations?
FHRS, FSCAI, CCDS, and FSM are specialty designations or professional credentials that recognize advanced expertise in specific medical fields, mainly cardiology and related areas:
FHRS (Fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society): A designation for healthcare professionals with demonstrated expertise and contribution in cardiac electrophysiology, focusing on diagnosing and treating heart rhythm disorders.
FSCAI (Fellow of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions): Awarded to specialists proficient in interventional cardiology procedures such as angiography and catheter-based treatments for heart and vascular diseases.
CCDS (Certified Cardiographic Device Specialist): A certification for professionals skilled in operating and interpreting cardiac diagnostic devices like EKGs and Holter monitors.
FSM (Fellow of the Society of Mammographers): A fellowship recognizing advanced expertise in mammography and breast imaging, relevant to breast cancer screening and diagnosis.
These designations represent recognized qualifications, often including rigorous training, certification exams, and peer acknowledgment, signifying a high level of specialist knowledge and professionalism in their respective fields. They help distinguish clinicians with advanced skills and commitment to quality patient care.
