# Medical credentials

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
** Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
** Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
** Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
* Dentist
** Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
** Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)
** Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
* Optometrist
** Doctor of Optometry (OD)
* Podiatrist
** Doctor of Podiatry (DPM)
* Chiropractor
** Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)
* Physician Assistant (PA)
** Doctor of Medical Science (D.Med.Sc.), (D.M.Sc.)
** Master of Medical Science (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 (R.Ph.)
** Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
** Master of Pharmacy (MPharm)
** Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm)

## Medical Researchers

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

## Allied Health Professionals

* Respiratory practitioner (aka "respiratory therapist" or "respiratory care practitioner") (RRT, CRT)
** Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy (ASRT)
** Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT)
** Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy (MSRT)
* Paramedic (NRP)
* Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B, EMT-I, EMT-IV, EMT-I/99, EMT-I/89, NREMT, NRAEMT)
* Athletic Trainer (ATC)
** Bachelor of Science in Athletic Trainer (BS)
** Masters of Athletic Training (MSAT, MAT)
** CAATE
** Board of Certification, Inc. (ATC)
* Dietician
** Registered Dietitian (RD)
** Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
* Radiographer and specialties
** Varies by country, see main article.
* Occupational therapist
** Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
** Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
* Physical therapist
** Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)
** Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
* Speech therapist/Speech-Language Pathologist
** Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP)
* Music therapist
** Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC)
** Master of Music Therapy (MMT)
* Surgical technologist
** 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

* Registered nurse (RN)
** Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
** Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
** Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
** Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)
** Diploma in Nursing
* Practical nurse (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
* Occupational therapy assistant
** Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant(AAS OTA) (COTA)

## Alternative Medicine

* Naturopaths
** Naturopathy (ND)