What’s in a Name? (Or What’s After Your Name?)

As the ABA credential portfolio grows, many audiologists have achieved multiple credentials. So, the question arises, what is the correct way to list degrees and credentials in our signature block and other professional communication?

These acronyms and abbreviations are called post nominal credentials and serve as a concise way to represent academic degrees, professional licenses, certifications and awards or honors received. These post nominal credentials should be used in email signatures, business cards, resumes and other professional profiles.

The updated post nominals for ABA credentials are:

• ABA Certified: ABAC
• Certificate Holder – Audiology Preceptor:  CH-AP
• Certificate Holder – Tinnitus Management:  CH-TM
• Certificate Holder – Educational Audiology:  CH-EdAuD
• Board Certified in Vestibular Audiology: BC-VA (formerly VASC)
• Board Certified in Pediatric Audiology: BC-PA (formerly PASC)
• Board Certified in Cochlear Implants: BC-CI (formerly CISC)

In what order are credentials listed?

1. Highest earned degree (e.g., PhD)
2. Certifications, either in order of relevance or chronological order.
3. Awards and honors (e.g., DFAAA)
   • Examples:
     • Mary Smith, AuD ABAC, BC-PA or
     • Mary Smith, AuD
       ABA Certified, Board Certified in Pediatric Audiology

As a reminder, in 2019 the ABA changed the name of its basic certification from Board Certified in Audiology to American Board of Audiology Certified (ABAC). Use of “Board Certified Audiologist” or “Board Certified in Audiology” are not accurate or appropriate for those with the ABAC credential. In addition, the “Fellow” membership category was discontinued June 2024 and F-AAA should no longer be used as a post nominal by AAA members. Finally, as a doctoring profession, it’s important to remember to avoid redundancy — do not use “Dr.” before your name and the degree abbreviation after your name in the same reference (e.g., “Dr. Jane Doe, AuD”).