Patient Education

Choosing the Right Provider for Your Care

Understanding credentials helps you make an informed decision.

Healthcare professionals can have different training pathways, licenses, and scopes of practice. This page is designed to help you understand what credentials mean—especially when you’re seeking complex, diagnosis-driven care.

See the Comparison Read FAQs

What “board-certified physician” means

In the U.S., “board certification” for physicians generally refers to completing medical school, post-graduate training (residency), and passing specialty board exams. Many boards also require ongoing continuing education and periodic maintenance of certification.

  • Medical doctors hold either an MD or DO degree. Physician
  • Physicians complete residency training in a specialty after medical school.
  • Board certification is separate from state licensure and may require ongoing requirements.
References: ABMS (Board Certification) • AMA (Residency Training) • FSMB (Medical Licensure)

A Respectful, Clear Way to Compare Credentials

We value the work of many healthcare professionals. Different roles exist because patients have different needs. The most important point is that education, licensure, and scope of practice vary. For complex or high-risk medical decisions, patients often prefer a physician-led evaluation.

Physicians (MD / DO)

  • Medical school (MD or DO degree)
  • Post-graduate training (internship + residency)
  • State medical licensure
  • Optional specialty board certification through recognized boards
  • Ongoing education requirements (varies by board/state)
References: ABMS explains physician board certification; FSMB explains medical licensure basics.

Other licensed professionals

  • Nurses (RN) and Nurse Practitioners (NP)
  • Physician Assistants (PA)
  • Chiropractors (DC)
  • Acupuncturists (varies by state licensure)
Training and scope differ by profession and by state. Always verify credentials and ask about scope of practice.
Credential Snapshot
A simplified overview—requirements vary by state and specialty.
Patient Education
Role Typical Education Pathway Notes
Physician (MD/DO) Medical school → Residency (specialty training) → State licensure → Optional specialty board certification Board certification is an additional credential beyond licensure and generally involves passing specialty exams. (ABMS)
Nurse (RN) Nursing degree → Licensure as RN Scope differs from medical practice; excellent in many care settings.
Nurse Practitioner (NP) RN → Graduate NP program → NP licensure/certification Scope and independence vary by state; credential standards differ from physician specialty boards.
Physician Assistant (PA) Graduate PA program → Licensure → Collaborative/regulated practice (varies by state) Trained in medical model; scope and supervision rules vary by state.
Chiropractor (DC) Chiropractic doctoral program → Licensure Scope focuses on musculoskeletal/neuromuscular care; does not replace physician specialty training.
Acupuncturist Acupuncture/TCM training program → Licensure (state dependent) Scope varies by state and training; typically complementary care.

How to verify credentials (quick checklist)

  • Ask: “What is your degree and license type?” (MD/DO, RN, NP, PA, DC, etc.)
  • Confirm licensing status through your state’s licensing board.
  • If “board certified” is claimed, ask: “Which board?” and verify via ABMS (for ABMS member boards).
  • Ask what conditions they diagnose and treat, and what their scope includes.
References: ABMS board certification • FSMB find a state board

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear, professional answers backed by credible references.

Physician board certification generally indicates a physician has completed specialty training and passed rigorous exams from a recognized board. Many boards also require ongoing education and periodic maintenance requirements. Source: ABMS
No. A state medical license is required to practice medicine and is issued by a state medical board. Board certification is an additional credential that reflects specialty expertise. Sources: FSMB • ABMS
You can verify licenses through your state licensing board. For physician board certification, you can verify ABMS member board certification through ABMS resources. Sources: FSMB • ABMS
In many settings, “doctor” can refer to a doctoral-level degree (for example, PhD or DC). In healthcare, it’s reasonable to ask what degree and license type someone holds (MD/DO, NP, PA, DC, etc.) and what their scope of practice is. Tip: Ask, “Are you a medical doctor (MD/DO)?” and “What is your license type?”