What is the Difference Between Credentialing and Privileging?

Credentialing verifies that you have the appropriate education, training, licenses, and competence to provide medical care. Privileging grants you permission to perform specific procedures or provide particular services at a healthcare facility. While credentialing confirms you’re a qualified physician, privileging determines exactly what you’re allowed to do at a specific location. For example, a surgeon may be credentialed as a qualified physician but privileged to perform only certain types of surgeries based on training and experience. Hospitals and surgical centers conduct privileging as a separate process after credentialing, reviewing your training, experience, and outcomes for specific procedures you wish to perform.