How to Write Your Credentials: A Clear, Practical Guide

To write your credentials correctly, list your highest earned degree first, followed by licensure, state designations, national certifications, and finally awards and honors. For example, a nurse with a master's degree, RN license, and a specialty certification would write: Jane Smith, MSN, RN, CCRN. This order is widely accepted across healthcare and other professions because it prioritizes permanent academic achievements, then legal authorizations to practice, then voluntary certifications, and finally honors.

Credentials are the letters after your name that communicate your qualifications. They matter because they quickly tell employers, clients, and colleagues what you are qualified to do. Using a standard order prevents confusion and ensures your expertise is recognized. The exact order can vary slightly by profession, but the general principle is consistent: start with the most permanent and essential qualifications and end with the most optional.

Why Credential Order Matters

A standardized order for credentials helps everyone understand the significance of each qualification. According to the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), having a standard way ensures that healthcare providers, consumers, and officials all interpret credentials correctly. Without a standard, credentials could be misread or undervalued.

The order is not arbitrary. It reflects the permanence and necessity of each credential. Educational degrees are considered permanent because they cannot be taken away except in extreme circumstances. Licenses and state designations are required to practice in many fields. National certifications are often voluntary but demonstrate specialized competence. Awards and honors are always voluntary and recognize exceptional achievement.

The Standard Order of Credentials

The most widely recommended order, especially in healthcare, is:

1. Highest earned degree (e.g., PhD, MSN, BSN)
2. Licensure (e.g., RN, LPN)
3. State designations or requirements (e.g., APRN, NP)
4. National certifications (e.g., CCRN, FNP-BC)
5. Awards and honors (e.g., FAAN)
6. Other recognitions (e.g., non-nursing certifications like EMT)

This order is endorsed by the ANCC and the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS). It applies to nurses but can be adapted for other professions. For example, a teacher might list: John Doe, MEd, State Teaching License, National Board Certification.

Educational Degrees

List your highest degree first. If you have multiple degrees, you may list more than one, but usually the highest is sufficient. If you have degrees in different fields, list the highest non-nursing degree first, then the highest nursing degree. For example, a nurse executive might write: Nancy Gordon, MBA, MSN, RN. If you have a doctorate and a master's, omit the bachelor's degree. Common degree abbreviations include:

• Doctoral: PhD, EdD, DNP, MD, DO
• Master's: MSN, MBA, MEd, MS, MA
• Bachelor's: BSN, BA, BS
• Associate: ADN, AS

Note that in some fields, only doctoral degrees are listed after your name on a résumé. According to a résumé expert, master's and bachelor's degrees should not be included after your name on a résumé title line; they belong in the education section. However, in clinical and academic settings, it is common to list all relevant degrees.

Licensure and State Designations

After degrees, list any licenses required to practice. For nurses, this is typically RN (Registered Nurse) or LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse). State designations for advanced practice include APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse), NP (Nurse Practitioner), and CNS (Clinical Nurse Specialist). These are required by state law for certain roles and should be included on legal documents and prescriptions.

National Certifications

National certifications are awarded by accredited bodies and demonstrate specialized knowledge. Examples include CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse), FNP-BC (Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified), and OCN (Oncology Certified Nurse). List nursing certifications first, followed by non-nursing certifications. If you have multiple certifications, you can list them in order of relevance or most recent first.

Awards and Honors

Awards and honors, such as FAAN (Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing), are listed last. These are voluntary recognitions of achievement. Non-nursing certifications, like EMT, are also placed in this category.

Special Considerations for Different Professions

While the healthcare model is detailed, other professions have similar conventions. For example, in academia, you might list: Dr. Jane Smith, PhD. In business, a CPA might write: John Doe, CPA. The key is to follow the norms of your field. When in doubt, check with your professional organization or employer.

On résumés, the advice differs. A résumé expert suggests that only doctoral degrees and high-caliber professional credentials (like CPA or PE) should be listed after your name at the top. Other credentials should be placed in the education or certifications sections. This prevents the top line from looking cluttered or pretentious.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Listing too many credentials: Only include credentials relevant to your current role or the context. For example, on a business card, you might omit your bachelor's degree if you have a master's.
• Incorrect order: Always put degrees first, then licenses, then certifications, then awards.
• Using outdated or incorrect abbreviations: Ensure you use the correct abbreviation for your credential. For example, it's MSN, not MS in Nursing.
• Including certificates as credentials: Certificates of completion (like a chemotherapy certificate) are not credentials and should be listed on your CV, not after your name.
• Not conforming to journal or employer style: Some publications have their own style for credentials. It's acceptable to follow their guidelines.

Examples of Correct Credential Order

Here are a few examples to illustrate the correct order:

• Nurse with master's and certification: Susan Jones, MSN, RN, CCRN
• Nurse practitioner with doctorate: Michael Anderson, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
• Nurse executive with MBA: Nancy Gordon, MBA, MSN, RN
• Physician: John Smith, MD, FACP (Fellow of the American College of Physicians)
• Teacher: Jane Doe, MEd, NBCT (National Board Certified Teacher)

Remember, the exact credentials and order may vary by profession and context. Always check with your professional organization for specific guidance.

When to Use Credentials

Credentials are used in professional settings such as:

• Business cards
• Email signatures
• Professional publications and bylines
• Legal documents and prescriptions (for healthcare providers)
• Résumés (with caution, as noted above)
• Name badges
• Presentations and speaking engagements

In casual or social settings, credentials are usually omitted. Use your judgment based on the context and audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you write RN or BSN first?

You write your highest degree first, then your license. So if you have a BSN and are an RN, you would write: BSN, RN. If you have an MSN, you would write: MSN, RN. The degree comes before the license because it is permanent and higher in the hierarchy.

Is there a comma after your name before your credentials?

Yes, typically a comma is placed after your name and between each credential. For example: Jane Smith, MSN, RN, CCRN. Some style guides may omit commas, but the comma is standard.

What is an example of credentials?

An example of credentials is: John Doe, PhD, PE (Professional Engineer). This indicates a doctoral degree and a professional engineering license.

For more detailed guidance, refer to the ANCC guidelines and the ONS article. For résumé-specific advice, see this résumé expert's tips.