postnominali

Postnominali, or postnominals, are letters or abbreviations placed after a person’s name to indicate earned degrees, professional qualifications, honors, or affiliations. They function as a concise way to convey credentials without repeating explanations.

They commonly include academic degrees (for example PhD, MD, LLD), professional licenses or certifications (such as CPA, PE, CFA), and occasionally honorifics or organizational affiliations (for instance FRS, FRSE). The exact set of postnominals and their ordering vary by field, country, and style guide. What is considered most relevant or prestigious often influences the order.

Usage and formatting follow conventions set by style guides or organizational rules. In many English-language contexts, postnominals are appended after the name and separated by commas, as in John Smith, PhD, CPA. Some guides allow listing multiple credentials in a descending order of importance or level, while others limit the sequence to the most relevant titles. Punctuation and capitalization can differ across jurisdictions, and some publications restrict the use of postnominals to formal or professional settings.

Regional variations exist. In some countries, certain degrees or licenses have formal abbreviations that must be used in official documents; in others, the use of postnominals is more discretionary and may be avoided on casual materials. It is important to follow applicable institutional or editorial guidelines to ensure accuracy and consistency.

See also: ante-nominali, the practice of placing titles before the name.