Nursing Specialty Certification Boards

All nurses must be licensed by the state's in which they work.  While licensing requirements vary some from state-to-state, individuals must demonstrate a specific level of education and competency in their chosen nursing profession in order to obtain, and maintain, a license to practice in a state.  Much like doctors and dentists, nurses can attain specialty designations in specific practice areas, such as ambulatory care, gerontology, oncology, orthopedics, pediatrics and other advanced clinical specialties. Nurses can attain such specialist designation by demonstrating, to a national certification organization, a specified level of clinical knowledge and proficiency in a particular nursing practice area. Although certification is usually voluntary, it demonstrates a specific level of competency that nursing employers often desire.

There are more than twenty national boards that confer specialty certifications to nursing professionals who meet their certification (or recertification) standards.  To find these national nursing specialty certification organizations and to learn more about their contribution to establishing and maintaining professional nursing standards, visit our resource page:

Nursing Specialty Certification Boards | Health Guide USA

Confirming Dental Specialty Certifications

It is estimated that about 20% of practicing dentists are specialists.  Like all dentists, specialty practitioners are educated in general dentistry, then opt, at considerable personal time and expense, to pursue advanced education and training in one of ten recognized areas of specialization:

Dental Anesthesiology

Dental Public Health

Endodontics

Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Orthodontics

Pediatric Dentistry

Periodontics

Prosthodontics.  

Dentists can earn the privilege to practice as a dental specialist if they can demonstrate their advanced dental care knowledge and skills to the satisfaction of a national dental specialty certification board.  Those practitioners who can meet the certification (or recertification) standards set by one of these national dental boards are granted "Board Certified" status in which to practice in their area(s) of specialization.  

There are more than a dozen national boards that confer specialty certifications to dental practitioners who meet their certification (or recertification) standards.  Visit our resource page below to find online license confirmation tools that these national dental certification organizations make available to the pubic:

Dental Specialty Certification Boards | Health Guide USA

Protecting the Public: Dental License Verification

Dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants and other dental healthcare professionals are subject to regulatory oversight by each of the individual states in which they practice.  While licensing requirements vary from state-to-state, the core objective of dental regulators everywhere is to protect the public from unqualified individuals offering or delivering dental care services.  This is accomplished by establishing standards, educational and otherwise, which individuals must satisfy in order to obtain a license to deliver dental care services. Similarly, dental licensing authorities establish standards which practitioners must attain in order to periodically renew their license to practice.  When licensees fail to meet established standards, dental licensing authorities can impose a range of disciplinary measures against offending practitioners, including, in the most egregious situations, the suspension or revocation of an individuals license to practice. 

In order to assist the public, as well as credentialing professionals working for hospitals, health plans and other entities needing to confirm the license status of dental care practitioners, dental licensing authorities in each state provide online license verification tools.  To find state-operated online tools that permit the public to confirm the license status of dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants and other dental healthcare professionals, visit our resource page:

Health Guide USA Dental License Lookup

Speech Language Pathologist License Lookup

Speech-language pathologists (sometimes known as speech therapists) are healthcare professionals involved in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults. These disorders can result from a variety of causes, including stroke, brain injury, hearing loss, developmental delay, Parkinson’s disease, a cleft palate, or autism.  Licensing requirements for speech-language pathology practitioners vary from state to state. To find state-operated online tools that permit the public to confirm the license status of speech-language pathology practitioners, check out our resource page:

Health Guide USA Speech Language Pathologist License Lookup

Occupational Therapy License Lookup

Occupational therapists are healthcare professionals who treat injured, ill, or disabled patients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. These therapies help patients develop, recover, improve, and maintain the skills they need for daily life and work. Most states require that occupational therapy practitioners be licensed to practice within their borders. Licensing requirements for occupational therapy practitioners vary from state to state. To find state-operated online tools that permit the public to confirm the license status of occupational therapists and other OT professionals, check out our resource page:

Health Guide USA Occupational Therapy License Lookup