Copyright held by The John Cooke Fraud Report. Reprint rights are granted with attribution to The John Cooke Fraud Report with a link to this website.
There are hundreds of medical certifications, degrees, licenses, academies, and (unfortunately) all too many initial combos that combine to spell “I-G-O-T M-Y I-N-I-T-1-A-L-S-F-R-O-M-A-C-R-A-C-K-E-R-J-A-C-K-S-B-O-X.” Most medical practitioners, no matter what the specific discipline, will “publicize” (on letterhead, business cards, whatever) only the most advanced of their own personal collection of initials. Investigators who rely on opinions or information provided by those so credentialed, should routinely run a cursory check to confirm that Dr. Soandso is indeed a member in good standing. One of the primary reasons that this is a very good idea is because (just in case) Dr. Soandso is either dead or too old to remember his name, let alone practice medicine, his license may have been paid by whomever is borrowing it, but his various organizational affiliations will have lapsed. Finding one of these cases is not proof positive that Dr. Soandso is a fraud, but it should be considered a Red Flag and thus a subject of closer scrutiny.
Please check the johncooke.com website for this list of designations accompanied by the websites or contact information for the various governing groups that grant them. Print space does not allow us to publish it here. Additionally, such information is constantly subject to changes and or updates.
General Rule of Thumb:
1. True Diplomate titles are granted based on a valid diploma and meeting the additional requirements of a governing body (e.g. The American Medical Association.)
2. Certifications are earned after a program is completed — but the word “Certification” is not copyrighted and it is possible that an individual need only to complete a 10-minute online true/false course and pay the requisite $1,575 fee to the granting organization to be “certified.”
3. A title may be given from a state-approved school after successful completion of a program offered through that school. If there is any doubt as to validity, confirmation can usually be achieved via a web-site, an email or a telephone call.
4. Degree are a form of award given by a college, university, or some other educational institution as official recognition for the successful completion of a program.
5. A License or Permit is generally granted by a government agency and permits the holder to do business in a particular location. Licenses are not certifications.
The point is that a very impressive sounding initials might amount to little more than paper. Do the homework.
KNOW THE DIFFERENCE. Credentials can (and should) be checked.
AAP: American Academy of Pediatrics |
ABA: American Board of Anesthesiology |
ABAI: American Board of Allergy & Immunology |
ABEM: American Board of Emergency Medicine |
ABFP: American Board of Family Practice |
ABIM: American Board of Internal Medicine |
ABNM: American Board of Nuclear Medicine |
ABNS: American Board of Neurological Surgery |
ABO: American Board of Otolaryngology |
ABOG: American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology |
ABOP: American Board of Ophthalmology |
ABOS: American Board of Orthopedic Surgery |
ABP: American Board of Pediatrics |
ABPM: American Board of Preventive Medicine |
ABPMR: American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation |
ABPN: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology |
ABPS: American Board of Plastic Surgery |
ABR: American Board of Radiology |
ABS: American Board of Surgery |
ABTS: American Board of Thoracic Surgery |
ABU: American Board of Urology |
ACRN: AIDS Certified Registered Nurse |
AK: Acupuncturist (Pennsylvania) |
ANP: Adult Nurse Practitioner |
AOBFP: American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians |
AOBSPOMM: American Osteopathic Board of Special Proficiency in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine |
AP: Acupuncture Physician |
APRN,BC-PCM or APRN, BC-PCM: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Board Certified-Palliative Care Management |
ASG: Affiliated Study Group |
BDentSci, BDSc: Bachelor of Dental Science |
BDS: Bachelor of Dental Surgery |
BHMS: Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery |
BM BCH: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery |
BM or BMed: Bachelor of Medicine |
BMedBiol: Bachelor of Medical Biology |
BMedSci or BMS: Bachelor of Medical Science |
BN: Bachelor of Nursing |
BO: Bachelor of Osteopathy |
BP or BPharm: Bachelor of Pharmacy |
BSN: Bachelor of Science, Nursing |
BVScAH: Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry |
CA: Certified Acupuncturist |
CAAPM: Clinical Associate of the American Academy of Pain Management |
CAC: Certified Animal Chiropractor |
CCH: Certified in Classical Homeopathy |
CCNS: Critical Care Nurse Specialist |
CCRN: Critical Care Registered Nurse |
CCSP: Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician |
CDA: Certified Dental Assistant |
CEN: Certified Emergency Nurse |
CFRN: Certified Emergency Flight Nurse |
CGRN: Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse |
ChD: Doctor of Surgery (post-medical degree specialty program) |
ChM or CM: Master of Surgery (post-medical degree specialty program) |
CLT: Certified Laboratory Technician |
CMA: Certified Medical Assistant (Non-licensed) |
CMSRN: Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse |
CNMT: Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist |
CNN: Certified Nephrology Nurse |
CNS: Clinical Nurse Specialist |
COTA: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant |
CPAN: Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse |
CPFT: Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist |
CPN: Certified Pediatric Nurse |
CPNP: Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner |
CRN: Credential for nurses who have taken the Certification Examination for Radiologic Nursing |
CRNA: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist |
CRNFA: Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant |
CRNP: Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner |
CRRN: Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse |
CRRN-A: Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse – Advanced |
CRT: Certified Respiratory Therapist |
CRTT: Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician |
CSPOMM: Certified Specialty of Proficiency in Osteopathic Manipulation Medicine |
CUCNS: Certified Urologic Clinical Nurse Specialist |
CUNP: Certified Urologic Nurse Practitioner |
CURN: Certified Urologic Registered Nurse |
CVA: Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist |
CWCN: Certified Wound Care Nurse |
CWOCN: Certified Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse |
DA: Dental Assistant |
DAAPM: Diplomate of American Academy of Pain Management |
DABFP: Diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice |
DABIM: Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine |
DAc (RI): Doctor of Acupuncture, Rhode Island |
DAc (WV: Doctor of Acupuncture, West Virginia |
DAc: Diplomate in Acupuncture |
DACBN: Diplomate of American Chiropractic Board of Nutrition |
DACBR: Diplomate, American Chiropractic Board of Radiology |
DACVD: Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology |
DC: Doctor of Chiropractic |
DC: Doctor of Chiropractic |
DCH: Diploma in Child Health |
DCh: Doctor of Surgery |
DChO: Doctor of Ophthalmic Surgery |
DCP: Diploma in Clinical Pathology |
DDR: Diploma in Diagnostic Radiology |
DDS: Doctor of Dental Surgery |
DDSc: Doctor of Dental Science |
DFHom: Diploma from a Faculty of Homeopathy |
DHANP: Diplomate of the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians |
DHg, DHy, DHyg, DrHyg: Doctor of Hygiene |
DHt: Diplomate in Homeotherapeutics |
Dip: Diplomate or Diploma |
DipBact: Diploma in Bacteriology |
DipChem: Diploma in Chemistry |
DipClinPath: Diploma in Clinical Pathology |
DipMicrobiol: Diploma in Microbiology |
DipPhys or DPhys: Diploma in Physiotherapy |
DipSocMed: Diploma in Social Medicine |
DLFAPA: Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. |
DLM(ASCP): Diplomate in Laboratory Management |
DMD: Doctor of Dental Medicine |
DMT: Doctor of Medical Technology |
DN: Doctor of Nursing |
DNBHE: Diplomate of the National Board of Homeopathic Examiners |
DNC: Dermatology Nurse Certified |
DNE: Doctor of Nursing Education |
DNS or DNSc: Doctor of Nursing Science |
DO: Doctor of Optometry |
DO: Doctor of Osteopathy |
DOM: Doctor of Oriental Medicine |
DON: Director of Nursing |
DOS or DOSc: Doctor of Ocular Science |
DOS or DOSc: Doctor of Optical Science |
DP: Doctor of Pharmacy |
DP: Doctor of Podiatry |
DPH: Doctor of Public Health |
DPH: Doctor of Public Hygiene |
DPhC: Doctor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry |
DPHN: Doctor of Public Health Nursing |
DPM: Doctor of Physical Medicine |
DPM: Doctor of Podiatric Medicine |
DPM: Doctor of Preventive Medicine |
DPM: Doctor of Psychiatric Medicine |
DrMed: Doctor of Medicine |
DrPH: Doctor of Public Health |
DrPH: Doctor of Public Hygiene |
DSc: Doctor of Science |
DVM: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine |
EdD: Doctor of Education |
ENPC: Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (16-hour post-RN course) |
FAAEM: Fellow of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine |
FAAFP: Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians |
FAAN: Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing |
FAAP: Fellow of the Association of American Pediatrics |
FACAAI: Fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology |
FACC: Fellow of the American College of Cardiology |
FACD: Fellow of the American College of Dentists |
FACFO: Fellow of the American College of Foot Orthopedics |
FACG: Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology |
FACOG: Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists |
FACP: Fellow of the American College of Physicians |
FACPM: Fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine |
FACS: Fellow of the American College of Surgeons |
FACSM: Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine |
FAGD: Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry |
FAMA: Fellow of the American Medical Association |
FAOTA: Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association |
FAPA: Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association |
FAPHA: Fellow of the American Public Health Association |
FCAP: Fellow of the College of American Pathologists |
FCCP: Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians |
FCPS: Fellow of the College of Physicians and Surgeons |
FDS: Fellow in Dental Surgery |
FIACA: Fellow of the International Academy of Clinical Acupuncture |
FIAOMT: Fellow of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology |
FICCMO: Fellow of the International College of Cranio Mandibular Orthopedics |
FNP: Family Nurse Practitioner HASG Homeopathic Affiliated Study Group |
HLL: Homoeopathic Laymen’s League |
HMD: Homeopathic Medical Doctor (Nevada) |
HSG: Homoeopathic Study Group |
JD: Doctor of Jurisprudence (Doctor of Laws) |
LAc: Licensed Acupuncturist LicAc Licensed Acupuncturist |
LN: Licensed Nutritionist |
LNC: Licensed Nutritionist Counselor |
LNCC: Legal Nurse Consultant Certified |
LPN, CLTC: Licensed Practical Nurse – Certified in Long-Term Care |
LPN, NCP: Licensed Practical Nurse – Certified in Pharmacology |
LPN: Licensed Practical Nurse (also known as an LVN) |
LVN, CLTC: Licensed Vocational Nurse – Certified in Long-Term Care |
LVN, NCP: Licensed Vocational Nurse – Certified in Pharmacology |
LVN: Licensed Vocational Nurse (also known as an LPN) |
MB: Bachelor of Medicine |
MBBS: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery |
MBChB: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery |
MC: Master of Surgery |
MCPS: Member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons |
MD(H): Homeopathic Medical Doctor (Arizona) |
MD: Doctor of Medicine |
MDentSc: Master of Dental Science |
MDS: Master of Dental Surgery |
MFCC: Marriage, Family and Child Counselor |
MLT(ASCP): Medical Laboratory Technician |
MLT: Medical Laboratory Technician |
MN: Master of Nursing |
MNNP: Master of Nursing, Nurse Practitioner |
MP(ASCP): Medical Technologist in Molecular Pathology |
MPH: Master of Public Health |
MPh: Master of Pharmacy |
MPharm: Master of Pharmacy |
MRad: Master of Radiology |
MRL: Medical Records Librarian |
MS or MSc: Master of Science |
MS: Master of Surgery |
MScD: Master of Dental Science |
MScN or MSN: Master of Science in Nursing |
MSD: Master of Science in Dentistry |
MSN: Master of Nursing |
MSPh, MScPh, MSPharm, or MScPharm: Master of Science in Pharmacy |
MSW: Master of Social Work |
MSW: Master of Science in Social Work |
MT(ASCP): Medical Technologist |
MT: Medical Technologist |
MVD: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine |
NCCA: National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists |
NCED: Nationally Certified Educational Diagnostician |
NCT: Nuclear Cardiology Technologist |
ND: Doctor of Naturopathy |
ND: Doctor of Nursing |
NMD: Doctor of Naturopathy (Arizona) |
NMT: Nuclear Medicine Technologist |
NP: Nurse Practitioner – a job title or an acronym for a program name (NP Program) |
NP-C: A credential for nurse practitioners in all specialties |
OD: Doctor of Optometry |
OMD: Doctor of Oriental Medicine |
ONC: Orthopedic Nurse Certified |
OT: Occupational Therapist – job title for the position of Occupational Therapist, not a credential |
OTR / OTReg: Registered Occupational Therapist |
PA: Physician Assistant (licensed) – title for the position of Physician Assistant |
PA-C: Physician Assistant-Certified |
PCP: Primary Care Physician |
PD: Doctor of Pharmacy |
PharmD: Doctor of Pharmacy |
PhD: Doctor of Philosophy |
PNP: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – job title for the position of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner |
PsyD: Doctor of Psychology |
PT: Physical Therapist or Physiotherapist – job title for the position of Physical Therapist or Physiotherapist |
RDA Level I: Registered Dental Assistant Level I |
RDA Level II: Registered Dental Assistant Level II |
RDA: Registered Dental Assistant |
RDCS: Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer |
RDMS: Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer |
RMA: Registered Medical Assistant |
RN,BC or RN, BC: A basic certification for baccalaureate (or higher) nurses |
RN,C or RN, C: A certification for Associate degree or diploma nurses |
RN/NP: Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner |
RNA: Registered Nurse Anesthetist |
RNA: Registered Nursing Assistant |
RN-C: Registered Nurse Certified |
RNCS: Registered Nurse Clinical Specialist |
ROUB: Registered Ophthalmic Ultrasound Biometrist |
RPFT: Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist |
RPh: Registered Pharmacist |
RPT: Registered Physical Therapist or Registered Physiotherapist |
RRA: Registered Record Librarian or Registered Records Librarian |
RRT: Registered Respiratory Therapist |
RS: Hom Registered with the Society of Homeopaths |
RT: Respiratory Therapist or Radiological Technologist – usually a job title for the positions Not a credential |
RTN(ARRT): Registered Nuclear Medicine Technologist |
RTR(ARRT): Registered Radiography Technologist |
RTT(ARRT): Registered Radiation Therapist |
RVT: Registered Vascular Technologist |
SG: Study Group |
TNCC: Trauma Nursing Core Course |
VMD: Veterinary Medical Doctor |