A Glossary of Health Professional Titles
It can be daunting to try to figure out those
initials after a health professional’s name. The list below explains some of the
titles you may see; it does not include every medical title. We’ve given a bit of an
explanation for the less-common ones.
AAMA: The practitioner is a member of
the American Academy of Medical Acupuncturists, which is open only to medical doctors (MD)
and doctors of osteopathy (DO).
ATI, MATI: Designates teaching members
of Alexander Technique International (the "M" is optional).
BAMS: Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine.
The practitioner has completed an approved program at an ayurvedic university in India or
Sri Lanka.
BCIAC: Refers to Biofeedback
Certification Institute of America certification.
BSW, MSW: Bachelor of science in social
work, master’s of science in social work. Social workers offer a broad range of
services from emotional support to referrals for community resources. Most states require
social workers to pass a licensing exam.
CA: Certified Acupuncturist. Certified
by state-approved program.
CAR: Certified Advanced Rolfer.
Designates a Certified Rolfer (CR) with at least three years' certification and continuing
education credits who has completed additional course work from the Rolf Institute.
CCH: Certified to practice classical
homeopathy; available to all professionals through the Council for Homeopathic
Certification.
CR: Certified Rolfer. This designation
requires training at the Rolf Institute and a college-level understanding of anatomy,
physiology, kinesiology and psychology.
DAc: May indicate advanced training in
acupuncture. Also used as a licensure title in some states instead of Licensed
Acupuncturist.
DAMS: Doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine and
Surgery. The practitioner has completed an approved program at an ayurvedic university in
India or Sri Lanka.
DC: Doctor of Chiropractic.
Chiropractors are trained in four-year chiropractic colleges and are licensed in all 50
states. However, chiropractors are not medical doctors and are not licensed to perform
surgery or prescribe drugs.
DHANP: Homeopathy certification
available only to naturopathic practitioners through the Homeopathic Academy of
Naturopathic Physicians.
DHt: Homeopathy certification available
only to MDs and DOs through the American Board of Homeotherapeutics.
Dipl Ac: Diplomate in Acupuncture by the
National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
DO: Doctor of Osteopathy. DOs complete a
training, certification and licensing program that is almost exactly the same as that of
an allopathic medical doctor (MD). They are licensed to perform surgery and write
prescriptions.
DOM: Doctor of Oriental Medicine.
GCFP: Designates a guild-certified
Feldenkrais practitioner, which requires completion of a professional training program
accredited by the Feldenkrais Guild, including 800–1000 hours of training over a
three- to four-year period.
LAc, LicAc: Licensed Acupuncturist.
LNC: Licensed nutritionist counselor.
MAc: Master of Acupuncture. Graduate of
a masters level program in acupuncture accredited by the Accreditation Commission for
Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of
Education.
MD: Doctor of Medicine.
MOM: Graduate of a masters program in
Oriental medicine accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental
Medicine.
NASTAT: Designates membership in the
North American Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique, which requires members to
complete 1,600 hours of training over at least a three-year period at a NASTAT-certified
school.
ND: Doctor of naturopathy. Naturopathic
physicians undergo a four-year training program that includes training in homeopathy,
clinical nutrition, manipulation, herbal medicine and hydrotherapy. It’s best to
consult one who is a graduate of one of the accredited naturopathic medical schools, and
licensed.
NMD: Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine in
the state of Arizona.
OMD or DOM: Designates an Oriental
Medical Doctor or Doctor of Oriental Medicine, and refers to training beyond that required
for a state acupuncture license. Chinese MDs who are licensed in China and U.S.
practitioners who complete OMD or DOM degree programs at foreign schools also use these
titles.
OT: Occupational Therapist.
PA: Physician Assistant.
PharmD: Doctor of Pharmacy.
PT: Physical Therapist.
RAc: Registered Acupuncturist. Licensure
title used in some states for professional acupuncturists instead of Lac.
RN: Registered Nurse.
This information was excerpted from The Arthritis Foundation's Guide to
Alternative Therapies.
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