Health Science Sample List of Existing Credentials
(Includes licenses, education and industry certificates, and postsecondary degree options)
Updated: February 24, 2010
NCTEF/NASDCTEc does not endorse any of the listed licenses, certificates or degrees.
Education and Industry Licenses
Title/Type/Descriptor of Licensing Program /Licensing Organization
/ Source for Contact InformationTherapeutic Careers
Athletic Trainer
/Licensure required by some states
/ Simmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009Audiologist
/State Licensing Boards
/ Health Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA PressChiropractor
/State Licensing Boards
/ http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos071.htmDental Assistant
/Some states require licensure
/ Health Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA PressDental Hygienist
/ State Licensing Boards, Dental Hygiene National BoardDentist
/Licensure required in state of practice
/ Simmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009Dietician
Dosimetrist
(see also Radiology Technology) / Licensure required by many states / Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://stats.bls.gov/ocoPharmacy Technician
/ Licensure required in many states / Simmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009Physical Therapist
/ State Government Agencies administering a national exam / Health Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA PressPhysical Therapy Assistant /
License required in some states
/ Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://stats.bls.gov/ocoPhysician
MD/DO / Licensure required in state of practice / Simmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009Physician’s Assistant
/Licensure required
/ Health Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA PressPsychologist
/ Simmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009Licensed Practical Nurse
(Licensed Vocational Nurse) /License required in many states
/ Health Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA PressMassage Therapist
/ Licensure required in many states / Simmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009Mortician
/ Licensure requiredOccupational Therapist
Occupational Therapy Assistant /Licensure required in many states
Optometrist
/Licensure required
Paramedic
Pharmacist
Recreation Therapist
/ Licensure required in some statesRegistered Nurse
/ Licensure requiredRespiratory Therapist
Social Worker
Speech Language Pathologist / Licensure required in most statesVeterinarian
/ Licensure requiredDiagnostic Careers
Computer Tomography (CT) Technologist(See also Radiology Technology) /
Licensure required in many states
/ Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://stats.bls.gov/ocoCytogenic Technologist
/License required by some states
Cytotechnologist
Histotechnician /License required in many states
HistotechnologistMagnetic Resonance Technologist (MRI) (see also Radiology Technology)
Medical Technologist (Clinical Lab Scientist)
Pathologist
/Licensure required in state of practice
/ Simmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009Radiologic Technologist (Radiographer)
(Radiology Technology) /Licensure required by many states
/ Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://stats.bls.gov/ocoRadiologist
/Licensure required in state of practice
/ Simmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009Health Informatics Careers
/Applied Researcher
(see also Research Scientist) /Licensure required in state of practice if one has medical degree
/ Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://stats.bls.gov/ocoHealth Educator
/Licensure will vary per state – may need teacher’s license, will also need licensure depending on health occupations background such as nursing
Health Care Administrator
/Licensure required for long-term care facilities
/ Simmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009Public Health Educator
/ Licensure will vary per state – may need teacher’s license, will also need licensure depending on health occupations background such as nursing.Social Worker
/License required
/ Simmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009Biotechnology Research and Development Careers
Clinical Lab Technician
/ License required by some states / Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://stats.bls.gov/ocoResearch Scientist
Medical Scientist (MD/PhD) / Licensure required for medical degree in state of practiceEducation and Industry Certificates and Registration
Title/Type/Descriptor of Certification Program /Issuing Organization
/ Source for Contact InformationTherapeutic Careers
Acupuncturist
/ Certification by the National Commission for Certification of Acupuncturists / http://www.aaaomonline.org/Anesthesiologist
Assistant / Certification by the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiology Assistants / www.aa-nccaa.orgHealth Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
Art/Music/Dance
Therapist / Registration/Certification by the Art Therapy Credentials Boards / www.atcb.orgHealth Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
Athletic Trainer
/ Certification by the National Athletic Trainers Association Board of Certification / www.bocatc.orgHealth Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
Audiologist
/ Certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association / www.asha.org/audHealth Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
Certified Nurse Assistant /
State certification and State registry
/ Occupational Outlook Handbookhttp://stats.bls.gov/oco
Chiropractor
/ Clinical specialty certification available by specialty councils / http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos071.htmDental Assistant
/ National Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board and State Certification / www.danb.orgHealth Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
Dental Hygienist
/ Certification by the Dental Hygiene National Boards / www.ndhcb.caHealth Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
Dental Laboratory
Technician / Certification by the National Board of Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology / www.nbccert.orgHealth Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
Dentist
/Certification in specialty areas
/Simmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009
Dietician
/ Certification and Registration by the Commission on Dietetic Registration / www.cdrnet.org/certifications/rddtr/rdindex.htmHealth Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
Dosimetrist
/ Certification by the Medical Dosimetrist Certification BoardCertification also available by American Society of Radiologic Technologists / www.mdcb.org
www.asrt.org
Emergency Medical Technician / Certification by the National Registry of EMTs and State Certification / www.nremt.org
Health Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
Exercise Physiologist
/ Registration by the Clinical Exercise Physiology Practice Board.Certification by the American Society of Exercise Physiologists / www.ascm.org
www.asep.org
www.nata.org
Home Health Aide
/ Certification or registration by the National Association for Home Care and State Certification /www.nahc.org
Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://stats.bls.gov/ocoKinesiotherapist
/ Certification/Registration by the Board of Registry for Kinesiotherapy / www.caahep.orgHealth Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
Massage Therapist
/NCETMB National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
/ http://www.ncbtmb.com/Medical Assistant
/ Certification by the American Association of Medical AssistantsRegistration by the American Medical Technologists
State Certification / www.aama-ntl.org
www.amt1.com
Health Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
See also Occupational Outlook Handbook
http://stats.bls.gov/oco
Mortician
/National Funeral Directors Association
/ www.nfda.orgNational Health Care Certificate of Achievement
/National Consortium on Health Science and Technical Education
/ http://www.healthscienceconsortium.org/Occupational Therapist
/ Certification by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy / www.nbcot.orgHealth Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
Occupational Therapy Assistant / Certification by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy / Health Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
Ophthalmic Medical Personnel /
Certificates from program completion
/ Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://stats.bls.gov/ocoOptometrist
/ Examinations available from the National Board of Examiners in Optometry / http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos073.htmOrthotist/Prosthetist/Pedorthist
/ American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc / www.abcop.orgHealth Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
Paramedic
/ Certification/Registration by the National Registry of EMTs / www.nrempt.orgSimmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009
Pharmacist
/ State Board of Pharmacy / Simmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009Pharmacy Technician
/ Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board / www.ptcb.orgOccupational Outlook Handbook: http://stats.bls.gov/oco
Physical Therapist
/ Certification by the American Physical Therapy Association / www.apta.orgSimmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009
Physical Therapy Assistant / Certification by the American Physical Therapy Association
Physician MD/DO
/ Certification by specialty areas.Physician’s Assistant
/ Certification by the National Commission Certification of Physician Assistants /www.nccpa.org
Simmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009
Pre-Professional Certification in Nutrition
/ American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) /http://www.aafcs.org/prepac
Pre-Professional Certification in Food Science (in 2010)
Psychologist
/ Certification for specialty areas available from the American Board of Professional Psychology / www.abpp.orgSimmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009
Recreation Therapist
/ Certification required by a few states from the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification / www.nctrc.orgSimmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009
Registered Nurse
/ Certification from the specialty national associations / Simmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009Respiratory Therapist
/ Certification/Registration by the National Board for Respiratory Care / www.nbrc.orgHealth Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
Social Worker
/ National Association of Social Workers or Academy of Certified Baccalaureate Social Workers / www.socialworkers.orgSpeech Language Pathologist / Certification by the American Speech – Language – Hearing Association / Simmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009
Surgical Technician (Surgical Technologist) / Certification as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) or CST First Assistant (CST/CFA) by the Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist / www.lcc-st.org
Health Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
Veterinarian
/ Board certification in specialty areas / http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos076.htmDiagnostic Careers
Cardiovascular Technologist / Certification/Registration by the Cardiovascular Credentialing International or Registration by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers / www.cci-online.orgwww.ardms.org
Health Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
See also Occupational Outlook Handbook
http://stats.bls.gov/oco
Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographers / Registration by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers / www.ardms.orgRegistered Diagnostic Cardio Sonographers
Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation
Clinical Lab Technician
/ Certification by the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science and/or the American Medical Technologists Association / www.ascls.orgwww.amt1.com
Health Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
Computer Tomography (CT) Technologist (See also Radiology Technology) / Certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists / www.arrt.org
Health Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
Cytogenic Technologist
/ Certification by American Medical Technologists and/or the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Workers / www.amt1.comwww.nca-info.org
Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://stats.bls.gov/oco
Cytotechnologist
/ Certification/Registration by the Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology and/or the Board of Registry of the American Association of Bioanalysts / www.ascp.orgwww.aab.org
Health Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
Occupational Outlook Handbook
http://stats.bls.gov/oco
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer / Registration by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers / www.ardms.org
Health Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
Electrocardiographic (EKG) Technician / Certification by Cardiovascular Credentialing Online / www.cci-online.org
Simmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009
Electronic Diagnostic Technologist (EEG) (see also Electroneurodiagnostic Technologist) / Certification/Registration by the American Board of Electroencephalographic Technologists / www.abret.org
Health Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
Exercise Physiologist
/ Registration by the Clinical Exercise Physiology Practice Board. Certification by the American Society of Exercise Physiologists / www.ascm.orgwww.asep.org
Histotechnician/ Histotechnologist
/ Certification by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists / www.ascp.orgMagnetic Resonance Technologist (MRI) (see also Radiology Technology)
/ Certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists / www.arrt.orgHealth Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
Mammographer
(See also Radiology Technology)Medical Technologist (Clinical Lab Scientist)
/ Certification by the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science and/or the American Medical Technologists Association / www.ascls.orgwww.amt1.com
Health Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
/ Certification by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board,Registration or certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologies / www.nmtcb.org
www.arrt.org
Health Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://stats.bls.gov/oco
Nutritionist
/ Certification by the Commission on Dietetic Registration / www.cdrnet.orgHealth Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
Pathologist
/ Board Certification in area of specialty / Health Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA PressPathology Assistant
/ Certification by the National Commission of Physician’s Assistants / www.nccpa.netSimmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009
Phlebotomist
/ Certification available from the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, the International Academy of Phlebotomy Sciences Inc., the National Certification Agency, the National Phlebotomy Association, and the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians / www.ascp.orgwww.nationalphlebotomy.org
www.aspt.org
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Tehcnologist
/ Certification/Registration by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists / Health Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA PressRadiologic Technologist (Radiographer)
/ Certification/Registration by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists / www.arrt.orgRadiologist
/ Board Certification in area of specialty / Health Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA PressHealth Informatics Careers
Ethicist
/ Certificate in Bioethics available as a degree optionHealth Educator
/ School health educator must have state teachers certification.Certification by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. / www.aami.org
Biomedical Equipment Technician
Radiology Equipment Specialist
Laboratory Equipment Specialist
Health Information Coder
/ Certification by the American Health Information Management Association / Simmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009Health Information Services (Technician? Administration?)
/ Registration by the American Health Information Management Association / www.ahima.orgSimmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009
Health Care Administrator
/ Certification by the American College of Health Care Executives / www.ache.orgSimmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009
Medical Assistant
/ Certification by the American Association of Medical AssistantsRegistration by the American Medical Technologists / www.aama-ntl.org
www.amt1.com
Health Care Careers Directory 37th Edition 2009-2010, AMA Press
See also Simmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009
Medical Biller/Patient Financial Services
/ American Health Information Management Association / www.ahima.orgSimmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009
Medical Information Technologist
Medical Librarian/Cybrarian
/ Memberships available in the Medical Library Associations Academy of Health Information Professionals / www.mlanet.org/academyReimbursement Specialist (HFMA)
/ American Health Information Management Association / www.ahima.orgSimmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations 7th Ed., Delmar Cengage Learning 2009
Risk Management