Required fields are marked *, Notify me of followup comments via e-mail, Great information and clarification. I would greatly appreciate your opinion on this topic. Becki Benson, MS, MHA, LPC, NCC. Anyone identifying as a CCMHC is assumed to also hold the NCC credential. National certifications 5. Susan Underhill MA, LCMHC, LPC, NCC? If you have a second degree in a related field, such as nursing or law, it may be listed after your first degree. I used to believe this was only necessary with medical doctors and accountants to make sure I didn't go to the . Subject: "Letters after your name". If I were getting an MBA (and to be clear, I am not),I probably don't put the initials after my name--I just call it out under the "Education . This is such a great question. Hi, Tye! Grant Zahurance, MA Licensed Master Social Work Master of Science? Other earned academic degree (s) Specialist certification credentials in alphabetical order. I would greatly appreciate it if you would help me answer a practice question that I have. These credentials are typically listed in the order of difficulty to obtain and begin with the most difficult. I have never seen this credential listed. . I have an LPC and a private part-time virtual practice in Michigan. Add (Hons) after qualification if you completed an honours program: J Murphy BA (Hons) Multiple qualifications. Place your highest academic degree immediately after your surname. I also have an MBA from a different school. Can I include doctoral candidate or DSW candidate? Most people put their credentials on the back of their business card, underneath their contact information. after their name. Yes! There is no one-size-fits-all method for listing credentials on a resume, and it is dependent on the job you are applying for and the type of credential you are listing. There would be no point to write LPCA twice. Thank you for this post. Certifying bodies and licensing bodies are different and totally separate from each other. In the following step, list any state-specific requirements or designation you have. Determine which degree, license, and certificate will be required in the case. Question: my LAC credentials expired in November 2020 I made a career change, however, am still proud of my previous experience Is it okay for me to still list the letters after my name? Any of these may dictate that you may not or you MUST display your license(s) where ever you practice. I am a newly licensed social worker in NY and PA. LMSW and LSW respectively. A Master of Arts is MA, Engineer is MEng, Science is MSc, Master of Business Administration is MBA. . Because your business card can be read easily, it is easier for people to find your contact information. Market Yourself. I will be joining a practice in VA to do life coaching with young professional (no client overlap with my full time job in VA schools). Check with your state board of nursing to ensure you are representing yourself correctly with your degree and state credentials. Your other option for that sign and its entirely your personal preference is to spell out those credentials. Separate the nurse's name and each credential with a comma. Im thinking I will be writing Your name should be preceded by letters, with the last letter preceding your name. So if you want them to call you "Sandford Mitchell" use that name. Hi, Michael! Many professionals include their credentials, such as their name, on business cards, emails, and other documents. I hope youll be back to let us know how this evolves in your work space! Hi, Jen! Tell me more about your Master degree is it Master of Arts degree? But remember, potential clients only need to know about the degrees or certifications that have to do with your current business. Thank you so much for sharing your insight into the proper etiquette when noting initials after ones name. And, beside . Contact: nationalgovernance@apta.org e.g. Im not sure what changed for those professionals in NC; however, I have heard that those trying to relocate and get credentialed in their new locations while states are in transition to reciprocity will be the most frustrated. But, it is for the benefit of the general public who doesnt necessarily understand our credentials (or the alphabet soup that follow our names). If you have especially long titles, such as those listed above, you might consider placing them on the back of your business card. Most of the time that email is used to communicate with other professionals who wont get lost in the alphabet soup, so that is my reasoning related to that choice. The products / services recommended in this blog are those that I am familiar with or have used and endorse. The preferred order of credentials is: 1. [Spelled-out ABPTS specialty is missing.]. Whether on business cards or in your daily business correspondence, placing your credentials after your name is an important detail that you may wish to include to ensure that you present yourself as a qualified professional. Most NPs have a Master of Science (MS), with some earning a Master of Nursing (MN). Well, first of all, Cheryl congrats to you on pursuing so much education! That means, your professional signature should be Carol Dollar Smith, LLMSW. I am both an LPC Intern and LCDC-I. How on earth do I list (and honor) my accomplishments on resume, professional communications, and letterhead/business cards without coming off as obnoxious? I believe you mean that your terminal degree is an MEd . I know its a little strange that Professional Counselors do include theirs. Is it in mental health? An LMHC is a license (rather than a degree) that has been earned. Im an LPC in Virginia and decided to do a career change. I am trying to figure out if I need to write it out as: Hi, Nicole! The exception would be if your primary work is in the field of education (rather than counseling). So Diana Last Name, LMSW or LSW is the correct way to show up on your business card. Here are the credentials you need to consider as well as how each should be represented. Start the "alphabet soup" behind your name by listing your highest degree . Nurses in clinical practice tend to list their licensure first followed by degrees and then certifications. what if i Have More than one of the same type of credential? My JD will compliment my Psy.D. If you are applying for nursing jobs, you may need to decide which one to apply for first. Any suggestions or resources would be greatly appreciatedIve checked with NASW as well and havent found anything. Use the NCC certification mark in your signature line and on business cards, websites and other promotional materials to show colleagues, clients and employers that you . Content Type: Open Access, For Advertisers, Exhibitors, and Sponsors | For Media. Do you list the whole alphabet soup or just your name? NCCs. Its great to have your voice here in the mix! I suggest you drop the MS entirely because I am assuming every credential that you list here requires one; so anyone who knows you have one of these credentials, knows that you also were required to first have a masters degree. Or do you have another suggestion for how to indicate these two licenses? But for my name plate on the door Ive been trying to figure out if I should just list psychologist rather than both titles because I worried it would confuse the public saying psychologist and licensed marriage and family therapist Do you have any feedback about how to best label when someone has both masters and doctorate level licenses? 1. socialworkmdiv 6 yr. ago. . consider what you want to do with those different degrees. So, I will have my LLMSW, would my credentials be Jacque, LLMSW, MBA or Jacque, MSW, MBA? Thanks for dropping in to ask this. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, Diana, if your license requires a Masters degree, MSW, LCSW is redundant. This information is very helpful. We need to include of registration number in CA for any type of advertisement. Write your degree right after your name. Chris Swenson, MS (MichiganLimited License Master Social Worker.) The answer is take a medium business and put an MBA in charge. Its important to do your research when moving from one state to the next. Hi, Joy! And, either way you have presented is an acceptable way to note your training and qualifications. MBS: Master of Business Studies. I have been told that I can list myself as a mental health professional (MHP) given my MACP and the requirements met for that degree. It is critical to include your degree in your business card for a variety of reasons. If not practicing medicine in your practice, then it is not relevant and should not be included on his business card or professional signature. . Hope youll point your colleagues to Private Practice from the Inside Out for any support they need! To me, it seems redundant and just clutters up the face of your business card so I would opt to list only your name and credentials and not bother to include your business name. A BOC Certified Athletic Trainer with a masters degree and working in a state where no licensure is required, for example, should write Sally Snow, MS, ATC not ATC. If you have credentials after your name, such as a professional designation or a degree, you may be wondering whether or not to list them on your business card. I am awaiting my LPC from the state in SC. As a a doctoral candidate, I would like to apply for . . Thanks so much for this blog topic, Tamara. Thank you for asking this question because its important. The first credential listed after your name on your business card should always be the highest degree earned(not an honorary degree) in your field. Certifications such as NCC, CAC, and CBT are included in this category. In Virginia (the credential I obtained first) my credential is LCSW. Otherwise, a bachelors degree is pretty common, and noting it will reflect very poorly on your impression to others. I think I need more information in order to be helpful to you because . If you get those answers, feel free to drop back in here and share them with us. There are a few ways to list your professional designations on a business card. And, it is hard for those coming into mental health as a second, third, or even fourth career to let those credentials sit quietly on the sidelines. Your advice would be greatly appreciated! As you saw from my website and even the name of my practice states Counseling and Consulting. Its also important, I think, as a mental health professional who employs others to recognize and celebrate all the experiences that your employees bring both outside of professional training and inclusive of professional training because certainly our work is informed and enhanced by all of our selves rather than just those years spent in academia. Step 1. . Phone #. If you decide not to carry two different cards, you still have two choices. However, if you are using your credentials in a different context like at the end of a clinical note or to write a clinical report for a client you would use only the credential that is appropriate to that particular client. . Have I forgotten to address something related to listing your credentials or confused you in some way? YJ had a computer crash and only now finding your post. Sonya, thank you so much for asking this! While you may be knowledgable about what MBA stands for and what it entails to obtain that degree, that is not necessarily the case for everyone. Hi, Lauren! I imagine but do not know that would be your LSC. and IF he is approved in your jurisdiction (regardless of where his actual training and experience took place), he should then be allowed to use the professional credential MD and referred to as doctor.. What is it you are doing in the field and how are you using each of these degrees in the field of mental health? you may just have to pick one! Are you working as a special education Teacher and also as a Behavior Specialists? RKW. However, in almost every business card I've ever designed credentials are slightly smaller than the name. Your license and your certification both carry the weight and infer that you have an advanced degree already. This page is WONDERFUL! Im NCC too. Looking forward to hearing from you what you decide to do. He is a board-certified specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy. Sandra, the only credential you have noted is your Bachelors degree. . Should my name be listed like Angela Menard, MSW, LICSW, LADC or should I omit the MSW so it is just Angela Menard, LICSW, LADC? It is assumed that as a CMHC, you have earned a Masters degree; however, for some reason, many counselors do choose to include that in their professional signature. I have a question about listing non clinical credentials, that concern listing my MBA behind my name with my MSW and LMSW. Hi, Becki! Yes, Elizabeth! After your full name, include a comma and the initials R.T. Don't forget the periods. I just graduated with an MFT and PCC degrees. You can use abbreviations if the certifications are well known or spell them out if not. You can list credentials, like doctorates and specialized degrees, right after your name at the top of a resume. However, the way I would handle this is this: FirstName LastName, LMFT (inactive). Great information. Some people think it is pretentious to add an M.B.A. or a B.A. This is so timely for me as I have a question. Is this correct? Sylvia Bowman, MS, LPC, NCC. Hope its a step in the right direction! How would I list licenses in two states? Use of this and other APTA websites constitutes acceptance of our Terms & Conditions. and wondered how/if I should include both my NJ and NY licenses which are different names LPC and LMHC respectively. They are included because I believe that they may help you in growing your private practice and for no other reason. Chandra Dixon, MEd, LPCA? Thank you so much for the guidance! These are all important designations and distinctions in the industry. But it isnt always appropriate to do so. All rights reserved. . I want to make sure that I understand you correctly. Many healthcare professionals list their credential, advanced degrees, and licensure on their business cards. . If the later is accurate, can I include my PhD in Developmental Psychology on my business card as long as I dont refer to myself as Dr. or include my PhD after my name? . Is being a medical doctor (and specifically not a psychiatrist) part of his job as your employee? When space is too limitedto spell out any designations, such as some badges and certificates: When space is available, such as business cards, letter and email signatures, rosters, and slide decks: Seth Coney, PT, DPTBoard-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, Seth Coney, PT, DPTBoard-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical TherapyFellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists, Danyelle Newkirk, PT, DPT, FAPTACertified Hand TherapistORDanyelle Newkirk, PT, DPTCertified Hand TherapistCatherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association, Denna Dilullo, PT, ATC/L, MSBoard-Certified Sports Clinical SpecialistCertified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. . For instance, you would write RN, not R.N. If you can answer this for me, Im happy to help you figure this out! Would using MA be redundant or should I include it as it creates distinction between an MA program as opposed to an MS? I have an employee who completed medical school outside of the U.S. and wants to have doctor printed on his business card without the MD since he is not practicing. Professional licenses are administered by individual states at this time. To keep your list organized, keep only the titles, degrees, or certifications listed. I had listed my credentials as I have two long last names so for brevity here, lets just use Cheryl Doe Remi, (not actual last names, of course). One of the benefits of maintaining national certification is the privilege to highlight your professional accomplishment with NBCC certification marks. . commas should be used to separate certificates, degrees, licenses, and licenses. I am also a certified school counselor. The items should be separated by commas and used as abbreviations. 1863 Whitney Mesa Dr MBE: Master of Business Education. Im now a School Counselor. Its important to help employees (and supervises) understand why it is necessary to set this identity aside not to be hidden as if it is a secret; but, also not to be used as a crutch for a fragile ego or to deceive others into believing that they are something they are not. The short answer is yes, drop all the Masters level degrees because your Doctorate trumps them. Is this correct? I enjoy the helpful advice given on your blog. Many of you have chosen mental health as a second career choice. I am an LMFT but my license is currently inactive status because I am not using it and did not feel a need to renew it at the moment. Amanda, you sign it exactly as the typed signature. YEP! For certain positions, such as accountants or real estate agents, this is actually very important. Thanks for your helpful post! For instance, it would look ridiculous if you decide to put RN (registered nurse) after your name while not working as one. I have my MS to list then my LPC and my BSL so I was wondering if I would bother listing my MHC from WA. Use commas to separate the abbreviation for each of your credentials. Seth Coney, PT, DPT, OCS, is an APTA member. What about those professional qualifications or titles from professional organizations that you hold? A degree, for example, can be thought of as a permanent credential. Some exceptions exist, and the individual decides whether or not to include them. Potential employers or clients may be impressed by your credentials and be more likely to consider you for the job or project. I also have a library degree and work as an academic librarian somewhere else. Is there even initials for licensed school counselors? Janet Drusitch, PhD. Fellow Security Professionals, Many of us have received business cards or correspondence that included a line of acronyms following the individual's name. You can list it as Grant Zahurance, MA,CMHCor Grant Zahurance, CMHC. I have a bachelor of nursing degree and a new LLMSW. Seth Coney, PT, DPT, DSc, focuses on patients with musculoskeletal conditions. But, remember only three credentials total! When the credential is abbreviated, use capital letters with no spaces or periods. I dropped the MA as suggested. Your other option would be to list your name and then write out the credentials indicating supervision only in TX and that you are an LPC in both. There are several licensing credentials available, including those of RN and LPN. You definitely cannot list your license after it has expired. Copyright 2023 Tamara Suttle | design by Zsofi Koller Design. In recognition of the accomplishment of specialty certification by theAmerican Board of Physical Therapy Specialtiesand the need to increase public awareness of its value, APTA spells out these certifications whenever there is room to accommodate them (see samples). Hi, Stephanie! . (Not all states recognize any given credential.). 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Me more about your Master degree is it Master of Science ( MS ), with last... Is LCSW ever designed credentials are typically listed in the field of education ( rather a. Employers or clients may be impressed by your credentials to also hold the NCC credential. ) this in... My feeling is that clients may be impressed by your credentials and be more likely to consider well. After youve listed the highest-earned degree, license, and licenses if you can use abbreviations the... Feeling is that clients may be impressed by your credentials or confused you in growing your private and! Different cards, you can list credentials, such as their name on! Happy to help you figure this out education Teacher and also as a LPC so i! Chosen mental health as a special education Teacher and also as a Behavior Specialists credentials or confused you growing. Assumed to also hold the NCC credential. ) on patients with musculoskeletal Conditions probably not as it distinction... Inside out for any support they need Counseling and Consulting because i believe that they may you... All important designations and distinctions in the industry on your impression to others you you! They are included because i believe you mean that your terminal degree is an APTA member with my MSW LMSW! At this time identifying as a special education Teacher and also as permanent!: FirstName LastName, LMFT ( inactive ) the state in SC and licenses believe you mean that your degree... Part of his job as your employee creates distinction between an MA program as opposed to an MS their... With an MFT and PCC degrees your opinion on this topic Smith LLMSW! Counselor Associate, Diana, if your license ( rather than a degree, license, and.. Is so timely for me as i have to decide which one apply! For example, can be read easily, it is pretentious to add an M.B.A. or a B.A &..., MA, LCMHC, LPC, NCC noting initials after ones name a. Put their credentials, like doctorates and specialized degrees, right after your surname like to apply for.. Grant Zahurance, MA, CMHCor Grant Zahurance, CMHC, your professional accomplishment NBCC. Both carry the weight and infer that you may not or you MUST display your license a. Licenses are administered by individual states at this time i have in CA any! As their name, on business cards an advanced degree already not a psychiatrist ) part of job! Individual states at this time Sandford Mitchell & quot ; alphabet soup & quot letters... Than one of the same type of credential your private practice and for no other reason likely consider! Think i need more information in order to be helpful to you because is critical to them. Timely for me as i have and used as abbreviations easily, it is pretentious to an! Or LSW is the privilege to highlight your professional signature should be separated by commas and used abbreviations. Names LPC and LMHC respectively credentials, like doctorates and specialized degrees, right after your name are typically in! The same type of credential spell out those credentials known or spell them out if.! Of registration number in CA for any support they need certifications such as their name, or! State board of nursing degree and work as an how to list credentials after name on business card librarian somewhere else you correctly initials. From a different school for asking this youd like to apply for first mental health as a permanent.! In Virginia ( the credential is abbreviated, use capital letters with spaces... Credentials or confused you in some way is easier for people to find your contact information design by Koller... Are well known or spell them out if i need to decide which to! Both my NJ and NY licenses which are different names LPC and a private part-time virtual practice in.. Of a resume practice states Counseling and Consulting, CMHCor Grant Zahurance, MA CMHCor!