Ask the expert: What's the difference between credentialing and credentials verification?

This is a common point of confusion. The following should help:

Credentials verification is determining whether a practitioner's credentials are authentic and valid. It is one aspect of the larger credentialing process. With credentials verification, there is nothing to decide and the results speak for themselves; Dr. Smith either graduated from medical school, obtained a valid license, and completed residency or he hasn't.

The term credentialing, however, refers to the overall process of gathering and verifying credentials information, reviewing that information, and making a decision to grant or deny medical staff membership.