Credential Glossary

This glossary is to help clarify some of the most common credentials and acronyms used throughout the health coaching industry.

Note: this is not a complete list.

A-F

G-L

M-R

S-Z

A-F

A-CFHC

ADAPT Certified Functional Health Coach

ACE-CHC

ACE Certified Health Coach

ACE-CPT

ACE Certified Personal Trainer

ACE-GFI

ACE Group Fitness Instructor

ACSW

Academy of Certified Social Workers

ADN

Associate Degree in Nursing

AFPA

American Fitness Professionals Association

APRN

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

APSW

Advanced Practice Social Worker

BCHN

Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition

BSN

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

CADS

Certified Ambulance Documentation Specialist

CARN

Certified Addiction Registered Nurse

CCN

Certified Clinical Nutritionist

CEN

Certified Emergency Nurse

CHC

Certified Health Coach

CHES

Certified Health Education Specialist

CIC®

Certification in Infection Prevention and Control

CKNS

Certified Ketogenic Nutrition Specialist

CNA

Certified Nursing Assistant

CNC

Nutritional Coach Certification

CNM

Certified Nurse Midwives

CNP

Certified Nurse Practitioner

CNS

Certified Nutrition Specialist®

CRC

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor

CSWE

Council on Social Work Education

CTNC

Certified Transformational Nutrition Coach

CTRN

Certified Transport Registered Nurse

CWCN

Certified Wound Care Nurse

CWP

Certified Wellness Practitioner

DNP

Doctor of Nursing Practice degree

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

DSWI

Dr. Sears Wellness Institute

DrPH

Doctor of Public Health

FMCHC

Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach

FNP

Family Nurse Practitioner

FNP-BC

Family Nurse Practitioner- Board Certified

FNP-C

Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

G-L

IIN

Institute for Integrative Nutrition

INHC

Integrative Nutrition Health Coach

LBSW

Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker

LDN

Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist

LGSW

Licensed Graduate Social Worker

LICSW

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

LISW

Licensed Independent Social Worker

LMHC

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

LMHP

Licensed mental health professional

LMSW

Licensed Master Social Worker

LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

LPCC

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors

LPN

Licensed Practical Nurse

LSW

Licensed Social Worker

LVN

Licensed Vocational Nurse

M-R

Certified Medical Assistants

MCHC

Dr. Sears Wellness Institutes Master Certified Health Coach

Doctor of Medicine

MPH

Master of Public Health

Master of Science degree

MSN

Master of Science in Nursing

MSW

Medical Social Worker

NASM-CNC

National Academy of Sports Medicine-Certified Nutrition Coach

NBC-HWC

National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coaches

NBHWC

National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching

NBME

National Board of Medical Examiners

NCCA

National Commission for Certifying Agencies

Nurse Practitioner

NSCN

Nationally Certified School Nurse

OCN

Oncology Certified Nurse

Physician Assistant

PA-C

Physician Assistant-Certified

Physical Therapists

PhD

Doctor of Philosophy

QIPD

Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional

QMHP

Qualified Mental Health Professional

Registered Dietitian

RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Registered Nurse

RWP

Certified Restorative Wellness Practitioner

RYT

Registered Yoga Teacher

S-Z

TCRN

Trauma Certified Registered Nurse