Your Healthcare Team

MDs must finish four years of college education to earn a bachelor’s degree before completing four years of medical school and then receiving at minimum, three years of training through residency programs. Between medical school, clinical rotations, and residency, physicians get between 12,000 and 16,000 hours of patient-care experience. In addition to their education, physicians must pass a series of nationally required, standardized exams that begin in medical school and finish in residency. MDs take three United States Medical Licensing Examinations. After completing residency in their chosen specialty, physicians must obtain board certification in their chosen specialty to further demonstrate their mastery of knowledge in a specific field of medicine. To remain board certified in their specialty, physicians must engage in continuing education courses yearly.

DOs must finish four years of college education to earn a bachelor’s degree before completing four years of medical school and then receiving at minimum, three years of training through residency programs. Between medical school, clinical rotations, and residency, physicians get between 12,000 and 16,000 hours of patient-care experience. In addition to their education, physicians must pass a series of nationally required, standardized exams that begin in medical school and finish in residency. DOs also complete three Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examinations. After completing residency in their chosen specialty, physicians must obtain board certification in their chosen specialty to further demonstrate their mastery of knowledge in a specific field of medicine. To remain board certified in their specialty, physicians must engage in continuing education courses yearly. DOs get an additional 500 to 1000 hours of training on using hands to feel tissues and diagnose problems within the patient's musculoskeletal system.

NPs are registered nurses who have either completed a master's or a doctoral degree (2-4 years) in addition to any prior years of nursing education and experience. Their additional training for these degrees includes advanced health assessment, pharmacology, and evaluation of research. They are required to pass a national certification exam and then attend yearly continuing education to ensure their knowledge and skills remain current. Learn More at AANP

Physician assistants attend a 3-year master's degree program, complete 2,000 hours of clinical rotations, and pass a national certification exam. Their training includes advanced health assessment and pharmacology. They are required to attend yearly continuing education to ensure their knowledge and skills remain current. Learn More at AAPA

LCSWs have graduate education (MSW, DSW, PhD) from a Counsel on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited school, usually about 2 years of graduate education. They have at least 3,450 hours of supervised clinical experience. LCSWs have also passed the Association for Social Work Board (ASWB)’s Clinical Level Exam.

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors have a Master’s Degree from Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited school, equaling two years of didactic experience. They also have 300 hours of supervised graduate counseling experience. They have also accrued an additional 3,000 hours of supervised clinical hours. LCMHCs have passed a licensing exam ((National Counseling Exam, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Exam, North Carolina Mental Health Counselor Exam) and have taken a Jurisprudence Exam.

have a Master’s degree from a Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) accredited program, that includes 2 years of didactic and clinical experience. Clinical experience includes 3 practicum placements that equals approximately 500 supervised clinical hours as well as 1500 postgraduate counseling experience. They have passed their licensing exam (National Marriage and Family Therapy Exam).

Have a Doctoral degree from a program that is accredited by the American Psychological Association or the Canadian Psychological Association. This typically includes four years of graduate school in which they receive formal education and training, research experience, and clinical experience. They have passed the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP; national) and a regional NC State Examination. They have a minimum of 2 years consisting of at least 3000 hours of supervised practice. They receive supervision while an intern, but do not receive supervision routinely once licensed.

Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialists are master’s level clinicians who have accumulated 2,000-4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience and have passed their licensing exam (International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium Advance Alcohol and Drug Counselor Exam). They specialize in working with individuals with substance use disorders and can work in a myriad of treatment settings.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are food and nutrition experts with a minimum of a graduate degree from an accredited dietetics program and who complete a supervised practice requirement of not less than 1000 hours, pass a national exam through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and continue professional development throughout their careers. There are also board-certified specialty credentials that some RDNs achieve through practice hours and passing an examination. In North Carolina, registered dietitians must hold a state license to practice, and will have LDN next to their RDN credential, standing for Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist.

Some registered dietitians hold additional certification in diabetes care and education and possess comprehensive knowledge of and experience in diabetes prevention, prediabetes and diabetes management and its related cardiometabolic conditions. CDCES’ must have a qualifying professional degree, such as a nurse, dietitian, pharmacist or social worker, provide a minimum of 1000 hours of direct diabetes care and education, pass a national exam and continue professional development throughout their careers. This credential is through the Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education (CBDCE).

Some registered dietitians hold additional board certification in nutrition support, such as tube feeding and total parenteral nutrition (nutrition received through IV). These dietitians often work in high complexity, acute care settings. This certification is both nationally and internationally recognized and is through the National Board of Nutrition Support Certification (NBNSC). Dietitians must have at least two years in nutrition support practice and pass a national examination.