As head of the executive branch, the president must appoint the top officials for all of the federal agencies. These positions are listed in the Plum Book which outlines more than 7,000 appointive positions in the government.
1 When you have a Ph.D., sign your name either as Dr. Ernest Smith or Ernest Smith, Ph.D. 2  If you have a Ph.D. you should engrave all your personal envelopes or labels with either Dr. Ernest Smith or Ernest Smith, Ph.D.his is the teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas in his Treatise on Justice. (Question 58). Therefore, one should address a person with a doctorate by his title, and the person should have no fear in calling himself or herself by that name.
Credential Acronyms. It is important that credentials be written using the correct acronym. Always research a credential you're not familiar with to make sure you know the acronym. If the exact name of the degree is unknown, find out before you attempt to write down someone's credentials. The American Psychological Association and the Medical Library Association recommend not using periods when writing acronyms for credentials, such as using RN for registered nurse.