Check Credentials
These are minimum standards only. Many health care professionals may exceed these standards and some states may require more training than these minimum standards. There may be health care professions not included in this list.
| Health Care Professions | Acronym / Titles | Minimum Classroom Education | Minimum Clinical Education | Source |
| Apprentice Medical Scribe Professional | A.M.S.P | Certification Exam | < 200 hours | AHDPG |
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse1 | A.P.R.N. | RN + 1 year2 | 400 - 1000 hours | Nurse Journal |
| Certified Medical Assistant | C.M.A. | None3 or 10 months | NA | MedAssistantEdu |
| Certified Medical Scribe Professional |
C.M.S.P. |
Certification Exam | > 200 hours | AHDPG |
| Certified Nursing Assistant | C.N.A. | 75 hours | Incorporated in curriculum | All Nursing Schools |
| Certified Nurse Midwife | C.N.M. | Varies: RN + 3 years | None | Midwife |
| Doctor of Chiropractic | D.C. | 3 years graduate4 | 1 year | ACA |
| Doctor of Osteopathy | D.O. | 4 years graduate4 | 3 years | AAO |
| Doctor of Dental Surgery | D.D.S. | Dental School5 + 2 years | Incorporated in curriculum | AAOM |
| Doctor of Dental Medicine | D.M.D. | Dental School + 2 years | Incorporated in curriculum | AAOM |
| Doctor of Podiatric Medicine | D.P.M. | 4 years graduate4 | 2 years | AACPM |
| Certified Lab Technician | C.L.T. | 2 years | Incorporated in curriculum | AcademicInfo |
| Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse | L.P.N. / L.V.N. | 7 months | Incorporated in curriculum | All Nursing Schools |
| Physician / Doctor of Medicine | M.D. | 4 years graduate4 | 3 years | AAMC |
| Nurse Practitioner1 | N.P. | RN + 1 year2 | 400 - 1000 hours | Nurse Journal |
| Physician Assistant | P.A. | 27 months | 2,000 hours | AAPA |
| Physical Therapist | P.T. | 3 years graduate6 | Incorporated in curriculum | APTA |
| Ocupational Therapist | O.T. | 2 years graduate | ~24 weeks | Study |
| Registered Dietician | R.D. | Bachelors degree | Incorporated in curriculum | NutritionEd |
| Registered Nurse | R.N. | 2 years | Incorporated in curriculum | All Nursing Schools |
| Respiratory Therapist | R.T. | Associates degree | Incorporated in curriculum | AARC |
1. An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) is the same as a Nurse Practitioner (NP).
2. Applies for individuals who have already obtained a Registered Nurse (RN) degree.
3. Most states do not license or certify medical assistants.
4. Undergraduate degree (4 years) required prior to enrolling in graduate studies.
5. Undergraduate degree (4 years) recommended, but not required prior to enrolling in dental school. Standards for admissions can be found on the ADA website.
6. Entry level Physical Therapists are now required to obtain a doctorate instead of a bachelors or masters.
THIS INFORMATION REFLECTS GENERAL INFORMATION. LICENSING REQUIREMENTS OR STANDARDS MAY VARY BY STATE.
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