More Than Initials: Professional Post-Nominals
By John Todaro, BA, NRP, RN, TNS, NCEE, CHSE, CHSOS
As paramedicine progresses as an acknowledged profession, we need to recognize the importance of post-nominals (academic degrees and professional credentials) in establishing the professional credibility and identity of paramedicine professionals.
Post-nominals can be simply defined as letters/abbreviations placed after a professional’s full name to represent academic degrees, professional licensure, certifications, qualifications, and awards.
A general listing of academic degree post-nominals can include, doctoral degrees (PhD, DrPH, DrHS), master’s degrees (MS, MA,), bachelor’s degrees (BS, BA), and associate degrees (AA, AS).
The National Registry of EMT’s has established paramedicine professional certification/licensure post-nominals in the United States as NRP (National Registered Paramedic), NRAEMT (National Registered Advanced Emergency Medical Technician), NREMT (National Registered Emergency Medical Technician), and NREMR (National Registered Emergency Medical Responder).
Several paramedicine professional organizations have established paramedicine specialty certification post-nominals, including FP-C (Flight Paramedic) CCP-C (Critical Care Paramedic), NCEE (National Certified EMS Educator), SPO (Supervising Paramedic Officer), MPO (Managing Paramedic Officer), and FACPE (Fellow American College of Paramedic Executives).
It's important and, in some cases, required that post-nominals be used in signing legal documents such as patient care reports and medical records.
In professional endeavors such as professional conference presentations, authoring in professional publications (journals, white papers, etc.) or when providing legal or legislative testimony, the use of post-nominals provides uniformity in recognition of professionalism, integrity, competency, and experience levels within a profession.
When utilizing professional post-nominals there is a general recommended order of display with the highest earned academic degree(s) being first followed by professional licensure/certifications and then professional honors.
A few simple rules relating to the display of post-nominals include:
- Use the correct abbreviations for each credential
- Use comas to separate each credential abbreviation
- Keep the punctuation used consistent
As paramedicine professionals the benefits of utilizing post-nominals can include demonstration of commitment to professionalism, integrity and excellence, showcasing of credentials, strengthening of reputation and dedication to continuous professional development.
Every paramedicine professional should be proud of their earned post-nominals and that they are displaying them in the proper format within all their professional endeavors.
Additional Resources
- ANCC “How to Display Your Credentials, American Nurses Credentialing Center, 2013 https://www.nursingworld.org/globalassets/certification/renewals/how-to-display-your-
- Herrity, Jennifer, “How To List Order of Credentials After a Name” Indeed, January 28, 2025 https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/order-of-credentials-after-name
- Hickey, Robert, “How to Use Post-Nominal Abbreviations” online excerpt from “Honor & Respect 3rd Edition https://formsofaddress.info/post-nominal-abbreviations /
- Todaro, John, Post-Nominals Appropriate Display of Paramedicine Professional Credentials, PowerPoint Presentations, 2025.
- Wardhaugh E, Law B, Sibbald S. Mastering the Art of Post-Nominal Titles: Navigating the Use of Professional Titles and Credentials in the Health Sciences. rehabINK. 2024, Issue16. https://rehabinkmag.com
