Frequently Asked Questions

No. Saints Cosmas and Damian Health Sciences College is incorporated by the government of Anguilla. The College verifies original source credentials and issues diplomas or certificates of equivalency to qualified applicants.

Despite decades-long and extensive public education efforts led by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), the American Medical Association (AMA), and many highly respected medical groups (such as the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota), the confusion about US physician credentials still exists in many circles; and, in fact, it is growing. Patients are more confused now because non-physician health care providers are also trained at the doctoral level (such as pharmacists, nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and others). Moreover, US-trained DOs who wish to practice in other countries (such as the United Kingdom) are mistaken for “osteopaths” or “bonesetters” because the DOs in those nations have training and practice rights more akin to US chiropractors than physicians and surgeons. The College seeks to help eliminate confusion by allowing those DOs and MDs – who wish to do so – to identify themselves with both degree abbreviations through the issuance of a diploma or certificate or equivalency. The College similarly seeks to eliminate the needless disparity and confusion that can arise from having an entry-level baccalaureate pharmacy degree as opposed to an entry-level Doctor of Pharmacy degree in the pharmacy profession.

The word college in the English language has several meanings. One use is to identify an institution of higher learning. Another is to a identify a professional society, such as the American College of Apothecaries, or the American College of Surgeons, or the Royal College of Physicians. College in the English language is also used to identify bodies of electors, such as the College of Cardinals which elects a new pope or the Electoral College which elects the president of the United States.

The English translation is “Fairness For Those Who Are Equals,” or more simply, “Equality Through Equity.”

Anguilla is a Caribbean gem. It is one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, just east of the Virgin Islands and directly north of Saint Martin (Sint Maarten). It is readily accessible from the United States. It is known for its pristine beaches and laid-back lifestyle. It is self-governing British Overseas Territory, and English is the official language. Anguilla hosts dozens of continuing professional education programs and conferences each year. The Caribbean Basin is home to about 60 medical, dental, veterinary medicine, and other health care professions universities and schools.

A diploma or certificate of equivalency plays a vital role in promoting understanding and education about professional qualifications. It helps clarify the equivalence of education, licensure, and training among practitioners who may publicly use the same professional designation, ensuring recognition of their equal qualifications and status.

In many cases, the diploma or certificate of equivalency serves to formally validate and document what is already acknowledged within the professional community and broader society, fostering transparency, and reducing misunderstandings about credentials across different systems or regions. Therefore, formal validation helps educate the public, peers, other health care professionals, and current or potential employers regarding one’s equivalent professional status.

No. A diploma or certificate of equivalency issued by Saints Cosmas and Damian does not impact one’s scope of practice as authorized by a diplomate’s professional license in any jurisdiction. Professional scopes of practice are governed by local law.

No. “The purpose of the certificate of equivalency is to provide information about the comparability of foreign qualifications to local qualifications.” See “Guidelines for the Recognition of Qualification,” Barbados Accreditation Council, undated. Available at: https://bac.gov.bb/recognition-of-qualification-equivalency/ (accessed January 23, 2025).

No. A diploma or certificate of equivalency from Saints Cosmas and Damian Health Sciences College may not be used as the credential that serves as the basis for professional licensure. All applicants for a diploma or certificate of equivalency issued by Saints Cosmas and Damian Health Sciences College are fully-trained and licensed health care professionals. Their licenses were granted because of professional credentials held before they applied for a diploma or certificate of equivalency from Saints Cosmas and Damian Health Sciences College.

Yes. A certificate of equivalency is a professional credential or qualification. One may publicly display credential or qualification certificates so long as the display is lawful, truthful, not fraudulent, nor misleading, nor a misrepresentation.

The diploma or certificate of equivalency is printed on parchment or high-quality paper, has dimensions of about 11″x17″, and is suitable for framing and display. An example of the Doctor of Pharmacy (in Latin, Pharmaciae Doctor) diploma or certificate of equivalency is avialable here: Doctor of Pharmacy Certificate.

Some of the more prestigious universities in the US and the United Kingdom issue diplomas in Latin, most notably for graduate and professional degrees. For example, the University of Pennsylvania has printed its diplomas in Latin since its first graduating class in 1757. See “Diploma Translation,” University of Pennsylvania University Secretary, undated. Available at: https://secretary.upenn.edu/ceremonies/diploma-translation (accessed January 24, 2025).

The certificates of equivalency issued by Saints Cosmas and Damian Health Sciences College were translated into Latin by Joaquin Dominguez Arduengo. Dr. Arduengo holds a PhD in Classical Philology, from the University of Turin. He works on Latin, Ancient Greek, and Old English translation projects related to books and manuscripts from the Middle Ages, including artworks and engravings from these periods. His has several projects related to scientific and philosophical articles, and provides translations for books, documents, films, series, and radio involving translations into these language as well as compositions and guidance. 

Following the tradition of colleges and universities located in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth nations, the officials’ signatures on the diploma or certificate of equivalency are those of the Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Secretary of the College and Registrar, and Dean.

The center of the seal features a heraldic shield divided vertically into two equal halves. Representing the health sciences, the sinister (or left) side shows the rod of Asclepius (a serpent entwined staff) in gold on a field of olive green. Asclepius was a Greek god associated with healing and medicine. Representing Anguilla, the dexter (or right) side displays the coat of arms of the host nation: on a field of silver, three stylized orange-gold dolphins playfully swimming in a circle above the turquoise sea at the base. Above the shield is the College’s Latin motto.

Encircling the shield and motto centered above within an oval of inner beads and outer rope is written: “SIGIL. COLL. SCIENT. SANITATIS SS. COSMAE ET DAMIANI, LIM.” in uppercase, Latinized form, abbreviating the official name of the College. Centered at the lower rim of the oval lettering, the location “ANGVILLA” and the founding year “MMXXIV” (2024) are displayed, grounding the institution in both place and time.

Yes. Click on this link – Who Says DOs and MDs Are Equal?  – or go to the website home page About section to learn about others who say that DO and MD physicians are equivlalent.

At least since the 1970s, MDs and DOs have had equivalent status with respect to licensure by examination in US jurisdictions. Before that, the American Medical Association (AMA) considered osteopathy a “cult” and did much in its power to quash the osteopathic medicine movement. See Johnson DA, “Past Imperfect: Revisiting the History of the Federation of State Medical Boards,” Journal of Medical Regulation, 110(1): 20-32 (2024). Available at: https://meridian.allenpress.com/jmr/article/110/1/20/500610/Past-Imperfect-Revisiting-the-History-of-the (accessed May 28, 2025). Over the decades since, MDs and DOs have grown ever closer toward assimilation or amalgamation. For example, in 2020, the ACGME (Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education), the AOA (American Osteopathic Association), and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) merged all US postgraduate training programs into a single accreditation agency, the ACGME.

In the US, those interested in a medical career choose an osteopathic route primarily for four reasons: (1) they have a family member or friend who is an osteopathic physician; (2) they are attracted by the philosophical differences between osteopathic versus allopathic patient care approaches; (3) osteopathic medical education is a less expensive option; and (4) they have exhausted efforts to be admitted to an allopathic school.

In the United States, the post-nominal MD is widely used to denote a licensed physician, regardless of the primary medical qualification earned.

For example, Dr. Arthur H. Rubenstein, former Dean of the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and Executive Vice President of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, frequently appears with the designation MD in professional and public contexts. A web search of his name reveals numerous instances, such as “Dr. Arthur H. Rubenstein, MD” on the U.S. News & World Report website. See: https://health.usnews.com/doctors/arthur-rubenstein-860551 (accessed January 26, 2025).

However, Dr. Rubenstein’s primary medical qualification, earned in 1960 at the University of Witwatersrand, is MBBCh (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery). See “Arthur H. Rubenstein, MBBCh,” University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. Available at: https://www.med.upenn.edu/apps/faculty/index.php/g275/p49919 (accessed January 25, 2025). Despite this distinction, during his tenure as Chairman of the Department of Medicine at the University of Chicago (1981–1997) and beyond, he was frequently referred to as Arthur H. Rubenstein, MD in publications and professional materials.

In the United States, authorities typically do not differentiate between holders of an MD degree and international medical graduates (IMGs) with equivalent qualifications, such as MBBCh, MBBS, or other degrees. Once licensed to practice, these physicians are often recognized and referred to as MD in both professional and public contexts for consistency and simplicity. In fact, New York State in 1977 enacted a law that allows the State Board of Regents to confer an MD degree on Fifth Pathway and IMGs who do not hold a Doctor of Medicine degree upon application and the payment of a fee. See See: https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions/physicians/conferral-md-degree (accessed August 31, 2025).

That said, transparency about academic qualifications is sometimes necessary, particularly in authorship or professional settings, to avoid any potential misunderstanding. When physicians clearly indicate their academic background, it ensures that the use of the MD post-nominal does not mislead patients, colleagues, or institutions.

If the use of MD aligns with professional norms, state law, and ethical considerations, it is both legally and professionally permissible for licensed allopathic physicians with non-MD degrees to adopt this designation in the United States. Many state medical practice acts reserve the use of MD only to licensed physicians and surgeons.

Licensed DO physicians should always represent their credentials truthfully and honestly and not attempt to mislead or misrepresent. Because laws and regulations vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, one may wish to consult with local counsel or contact a state’s medical licensing authority for guidance.

However, the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) itself references Andrew Taylor Still, the founder of osteopathy, as “A. T. Still, MD, DO,” even though Dr. Still did not graduate from a medical school conferring the MD degree nor formally earn the DO degree (as he originated the osteopathic system). This dual recognition reflects both his foundational contributions to medicine and the equivalency of osteopathic training with allopathic training. By adopting the post-nominal MD, a DO with equivalency certification aligns with this precedent, promoting international recognition and understanding of their qualifications while respecting the shared heritage of the two medical traditions.

Moreover, both licensed US allopathic and osteopathic physicians sometimes use post-nominal initials of credentials and titles – some earned, some honorary – granted by foreign entities, for example, MRCP (Member of the Royal College of Physicians), FRCS (Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons), and MRCR (Member of the Royal College of Radiologists).

Again, questions regarding of the use of post-nominal initials may be best addressed by appropriate regulatory authorities, and when used cannot be misleading, misrepresentative, or fraudulent.

Any professional credentials representation that a licensee uses must conform to local law and custom and not be a misrepresentation or fraudulent.

Before the Doctor of Pharmacy degree became the American Council for Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE) accreditation entry-level academic standard for US pharmacy schools, the common practice was for licensed pharmacists to use the post-nominal RPh (for “Registered Pharmacist”), and RPh only. With the implementation of the “all PharmD curricula” in the US, it became common practice for licensed pharmacists in the US to use the post-nominal PharmD, and only the PharmD, instead of PharmD, RPh. The practice of using only the PharmD post-nominally is consistent with the practices of other health professionals, such as DC, DDS, DMD, DO, and MD, in which the post-nominal initials alone convey the notion that the professional not only held the degree but was also licensed to practice the profession identified.

An appropriately qualified individual may elect to use all the post-nominal initials that he or she holds, for example, BSPh, PharmD, RPh, if the representation is truthful. However, at some point, one’s represented credentials may be excessively long, repetitive, and confusing to the public. Licensed pharmacists should always represent their credentials truthfully and honestly and not attempt to mislead or misrepresent. Because laws and regulations vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, one may wish to consult with local counsel or contact a state’s pharmacy licensing authority for guidance.

Yes. The final application must be completed within 90 days after the applicant submits a preliminary application. If the final application is not submitted within the allotted timeframe, an applicant must begin the process anew by submitting another preliminary application and pay the applicable fees again.

Saints Cosmas and Damian Health Sciences College offers its mission-driven services at modest cost in line with other entities which provide credentials verification clearinghouse services and provide continuing professional education programs and courses. Moreover, the College is pleased to support local charitable organizations annual, following the example of Saints Cosmas and Damian.

Significant costs are incurred to process any application.

In today’s environment it is routine. Many US medical and pharmacy schools require background screening before admission. Background screening ensures that applicants meet the ethical and professional standards required in health care delivery. It protects patients, facilitates clinical training, ensures compliance with licensing standards, and safeguards the reputation of the institution and the health care system.

Saints Cosmas and Damian Health Sciences College utilize the services of an established commercial company for background screening. More information may be found on a typical background screening website, such as  https://www.backgroundchecks.com or https://www.checkr.com (accessed January 25, 2025).

The Board of Examiners consists of fully-trained and licensed US or Canadian professionals for the health care profession under consideration and at least one public member. For example, the Board of Examiners in Medicine consists of three US licensed and board-certified physicians who will represent different specialties and one public member. For another example, the Board of Examiners in Pharmacy consists of two US or Canadian-educated and licensed pharmacists and one public member.

Some Boards of Examiners may meet monthly. All Boards of Examiners will meet at least quarterly, or more often if there are at least ten applications which are complete and ready for review and final action.

No. All decisions made by the Boards of Examiners are final and non-reviewable.

In the event no single document can be provided to comply with application requirements, the applicant may provide multiple documents which collectively meet the verification standards in the final and non-reviewable judgment of the Saints Cosmas and Damian Health Sciences College Board of Examiners appointed to review the application.

Very shortly after final action by the Board of Examiners, if one’s application is approved, an electronic diploma or certificate of equivalency will be transmitted as an electronic file via email to the diplomate. Paper diplomas or certificates of equivalency will be printed in May, September, and December which coincides with the traditional practices of colleges and universities located in the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth which typically hold their graduation ceremonies during those months. Paper diplomas and certificates of equivalency will be sent by certified mail with return receipt requested or tracked domestic shipping carrier with signature required upon delivery. Diplomates may expect their paper diplomas or certificates of equivalency within ten to twelve weeks after printing.

Yes. Additional diplomas or certificates of equivalency are available upon request for $200 each. Orders may be placed when submitting payment with the Final Application.