Order of initials in name?

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Author Message David G. Axt, CDT, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 2019 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Monday, May 15, 2023 - 03:27 pm:    What are the rules about putting initials after a person's name. For example do I put "CSI" first or after the certifications? What about the other organizations a person may be a member of (AIA, SCIP, etc.)? Where are they placed in the order? Thanks. (I am creating award certificates and want to be sure and get it correct.) David G. Axt, CDT, CCS, CSI, SCIP Specifications Consultant Axt Consulting LLC Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2325 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Monday, May 15, 2023 - 03:33 pm:    If the certificates are from CSI, I'd put those initials first, followed by whatever CSI certifications the person has earned, and then follow with the others. If you have the chance and time, you could ask the person which order they'd prefer. Otherwise, perhaps in alphabetical order? Or you could consider the work the person does: is the person an architect? Put AIA next. A specifier? Put SCIP next. Steve Gantner Junior Member Username: steve_gantner Post Number: 2 Registered: 07-2022 Posted on Monday, May 22, 2023 - 11:53 am:    As far as order, I put them in order of what is important for me to convey. For me Registered Architect is most important to me, followed by my CCS, finally CCCA. I recently changed by business card to read RA, CCS, CCCA after my name with a return and then note Member: CSI, SCIP, AGC, LMNOP, XYZ. Steve Gantner RA, CCS, CCCA Member: CSI, SCIP, AGC I think it helps people who many not be familiar with the acronyms. When they see Member, they recognize the alphabet behind your name as being more significant. At least that is my intent/hope. That's my 2 cents. Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2326 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Monday, May 22, 2023 - 04:12 pm:    Since the NCR does offer the "Alphabet Soup" award, alphabetical order would be appropriate. Just kidding! Seriously, Steve makes a good point, but I still think the person should be consulted for THEIR preference, if at all possible. Phil Kabza Senior Member Username: phil_kabza Post Number: 758 Registered: 12-2002 Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 - 09:14 am:    If you are a CSI member, you will notice the protocol that CSI follows in arranging a member's suffixes by viewing the Member Directory (or seeing how they handle your own). This has been consistent for as long as I remember; however, I don't know where this practice is written down. It appears to be (Professional Licensure) (CSI membership status) (Certification(s)) (Other organization affiliations). I'm not especially wild about a long string of letters, but others like them and find them useful. I start my list with FCSI because I'm still pretty tickled CSI did that, then my CCS because that's primarily what I do, followed by AIA because that broadcasts to clients that I am a registered architect somewhere. For me, that's enough. But emerging professionals might choose to list every certification and every membership as a potential talking point in promoting their careers, which is also not a bad idea. Phil Kabza FCSI CCS AIA SpecGuy Specifications Consultants www.SpecGuy.com phil@specguy.com