Yeah I've seen a proliferation of many different credentials in the medical/social services field. I think it's recent, but I'm not sure---maybe I only started paying attention recently.

I think part of it stems from the monopoly grip that the AMA holds on the production of new doctors. They make it so hard and burdensome to become a doctor, that we get a proliferation of other, smaller credentials to try and act as substitutes.

The healthcare industry is an absolute mess in America.