List of post-nominal letters (Hong Kong)

Post-nominal letters, also known as post-nominals or designatory letters, are letters placed after a person's name to indicate that the individual holds a position, honour, academic degree, accreditation, office, or membership of an organization. In Hong Kong, as in other countries that follow the British honours system, post-nominal letters are commonly used and arranged in a specific order of precedence.

The order in which post-nominal letters are typically listed in Hong Kong is as follows, although individual preferences can sometimes vary:

1. Honours and Decorations: These are typically listed according to the order of precedence established by the Hong Kong Honours System. Common examples include:

   • GBM: Grand Bauhinia Medal
   • GBS: Gold Bauhinia Star
   • SBS: Silver Bauhinia Star
   • BBS: Bronze Bauhinia Star
   • MH: Medal of Honour
   • JP: Justice of the Peace

2. Professional Qualifications: These indicate membership of professional bodies or the holding of a particular professional designation. The order of professional qualifications is often governed by the rules of the relevant professional body. Examples include:

   • CPA: Certified Public Accountant
   • RPE: Registered Professional Engineer

3. Academic Degrees: Academic qualifications are generally listed in ascending order of degree level, with the highest qualification listed last. Common examples include:

   • BA: Bachelor of Arts
   • BSc: Bachelor of Science
   • MA: Master of Arts
   • MSc: Master of Science
   • PhD: Doctor of Philosophy
   • LLD: Doctor of Laws (Honoris causa)

4. Memberships of Orders and Societies: Membership of certain prestigious orders and societies may also be included.

It's important to note that not all post-nominal letters a person is entitled to use are necessarily displayed. Individuals often choose to highlight the most relevant or significant ones. The proper use and order of post-nominal letters are matters of etiquette and convention, reflecting the achievements and affiliations of the individual. Guidelines and conventions may also vary between different organizations and professions.