If you’ve ever wondered what the meanings are behind the letters and abbreviations at the end of your healthcare practitioner’s name, you’re not alone. Beyond the commonly known credentials, MD (medical doctor), RN (registered nurse) and PA (physician assistant), there is a litany of titles that signify a medical professional’s specialization, training and professional affiliations. Chances are, as a patient, you know which ailments your doctor or medical professional is capable of treating.
These abbreviations can sometimes be found on a clinician’s business card but to ensure that you have the right title before ordering, check the list provided below.
A Summary of Common Medical Professional Titles
CDE – Certified Diabetes Educator
CNM – Certified Nurse Midwife
CPT – Certified Phlebotomy Technician
DHM or DHm – Doctor of Homeopathic Medical
DMD – Dentist
CPU's - Marriage and Family Therapy Doctoral
DDS - doctor of dental surgery
Do – osteopathy Dr.
The DOM – Oriental Medicine Doctor
DPM – Podiatric Medicine Doctor
DVM – Veterinary Medicine Doctor
EMT – Ambulance
SunsetOr Ent – eyes, ears, nose and throat doctor (MD)
EPC – Qualified psychologist
FAAD – American Academy of Dermatology
FAAFP – Fellow of the American Academy of family physicians in
FAAO – Institute of the American Academy of Optometry
FAAP – Institute of the American Academy of Pediatrics
West – American University's Institute ofEndocrinology
FACP – Fellow American College of Physicians
FACS – Fellow American College of Surgeons
FADA – Fellow American Dietetic Association
FAGD – Fellow Academy of General Dentistry
FAPhA – Fellow American Pharmaceutical Association
FASHP – Fellow American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
FNP-C – Family Nurse Practitioner, Certified
GP – General Physician
HMD – Homeopathic Medical Doctor
IBCLC- International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
ICCE - Certified Childbirth Educator
ICPE – Certified Postnatal Educator
LAc - Licensed Acupuncturist
LCCE- Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator
LCSW – Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LM – Licensed Midwife
LMA – Licensed Masters of Social Work, Adv Clinical Practitioner
LN – Licensed Nutritionist
LNC – Licensed Nutritionist Counselor
LNHA- Licensed Nursing Home Administrator
LPN – Licensed Practical Nurse
LVN – Licensed Vocational Nurse
MA – Medical Assistant
Mac – acupuncture license
Maryland – Dr.
And - physical examination
MHSC – Master of Science Health
MNNP – nurse, senior nursing
MPH – Public Health Master
MC – Master's degree
MSN – Master of Nursing
MSW -Master of Social Work
ND – Naturopathic Doctor
NMD - Naturopathic Medical Doctor
NP - Nurse Practitioner
NP-C – Nurse Practitioner, Certified
OB/GYN – Obstetrician who is also a Gynecologist
OCN – Oncology Certified Nurse
OD – Doctor of Optometry; Optometrist
ONC – Orthopaedic (Orthopedic) Nurse, Certified
OPA-C – Orthopaedic (Orthopedic) Physician Assistant, Certified
OT – Occupational Therapist
PA – Physician Assistant
PA-C – Physician Assistant, Certified
PharmD – Pharmacy Doctorate
PhD – Doctorate Degree
PsyD – Doctor of Psychology
PT - Physical Therapist
PTA – Physical Therapist Assistant
RAc – Registered Acupuncturist
RD – Registered Dietitian
RDH – Registered Dental Hygienist
RDN – Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist
RKT – Registered Kinesiotherapist
RN – Registered Nurse
RN-C – Registered Nurse, Certified
RNCS - Registered Nurse Clinical Specialist
RN/NP – Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner
RPA-C – Registered Physician Assistant, Certified
RPh – Registered Pharmacist
RRT – Registered Respiratory Therapist
The medical apparel industry is tasked with understanding medical and technical titles to best serve their clients, who wear lab coats and clinician scrubs in clinical settings, at the hospital, in laboratories and at the office. Lab coats typically bear the names and titles of their owners, who are educated and trained in their chosen profession. When ordering lab coats and scrubs as gifts for graduation, white coat ceremonies or for the holidays and birthdays, it’s important to obtain the recipient’s correct title before it is embroidered on the coat.
