What do the initials after the acupuncturists name stand for?
While more often than not, the abbreviation after an acupuncturists name is L.Ac. (Licensed Acupuncturist), there are many other certifications and degrees that practitioners will proudly list.
Information about credentials:
Here are a few of the most common abbreviations used and what they mean. If you know of a credential that you would like to see added to this list, please let us know.
A.B.T. - Asian Bodywork Therapist
Ac.D. - Acupuncture Doctor (Canada)
A.P. - Acupuncture Physician (Florida)
C.A., C.Ac. - Certified Acupuncturist
C.C.S.P. - Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician
C.H. - Chinese Herbalist
C.M.T. - Certified Massage Therapist
D.A. or D.Ac. - Doctor of Acupuncture (Rhode Island)
D.A.B.C.A. - Diplomate American Board of Chiropractic Acupuncture
D.A.B.M.A. - Diplomat American Board of Medical Acupuncture
D.A.O.M. - Doctorate in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
D.C. - Doctor of Chiropractic
D.C.M. - Doctor of Chinese Medicine
Dipl. Ac. - Diplomate in Acupuncture
Dipl. ABT - Diplomate in Asian Bodywork Therapy
Dipl. C.H. - Diplomate in Chinese Herbology
Dipl. O.M. - Diplomate in Oriental Medicine
D.N.B.A.O. - Diplomate, National Board of Acupuncture Orthopedics
D.O. – Doctor of Osteopathy
D.O.M. - Doctor of Oriental Medicine
D.T.C.M. - Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine
D.V.M. - Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
E.A.M.P. - East Asian Medicine Practitioner
F.A.S.A. - Fellow, Acupuncture Society of America
F.I.A.M.A. - Fellow, International Academy of Medical Acupuncture
H.H.P. - Holistic Health Practitioner
I.A.C.A. - International Academy of Chiropractic Acupuncture
L.Ac. - Licensed Acupuncturist
L.M.T. - Licensed Massage Therapist
M.A.O.M. - Masters of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
M.D. - Medical Doctor
M.S.O.M. - Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine
M.T.O.M. - Masters of Traditional Oriental Medicine
O.M.D. - Oriental Medical Doctor
Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy
Q.M.E. - Qualified Medical Examiner
R.A. or R.Ac. - Registered Acupuncturist
T.C.M.D. - Traditional Chinese Medical Doctor (Canada)