How your state restricts “doctor,” “Dr.,” medical and naturopathic titles, and the use of academic degrees.
The information on this page is educational and general in nature. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed attorney in your state. State laws vary and change frequently — verify the current law in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here.
These tables report what each state’s statutes and rules say, as read on the date shown in each row. They are not complete. They do not capture every regulation, court decision, attorney general opinion or enforcement practice that may apply, and a law may have changed since a row was last checked. Where the law is unsettled, the table says so; it does not resolve the question.
Using these tables does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and any author, editor, reviewer, or affiliated organization, including KCNH, AANWP, AANWC and GEHA. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made that the information is complete, accurate or up to date, and the authors and affiliated organizations disclaim any liability arising directly or indirectly from its use.
Every row shows the date it was last checked. The full tables are reviewed twice a year, after most state legislative sessions end in summer and again in January, and individual rows are updated sooner when a pending bill, court case or scheduled change named in the table is resolved.
| State | What is restricted | Unsettled or changing | Citation | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Practicing medicine includes using “doctor,” “Dr.,” “physician,” “M.D.” or similar in any occupation pertaining to the diagnosis or treatment of human disease or conditions, unless the designation names another healing art in which the person is licensed. Unlicensed practice is a Class C felony. | Read in a reproduction; confirmation on the official site pending. | Ala. Code §§ 34-24-50, 34-24-51 | 2026-10-02 |
| Alaska | The medical practice chapter contains no provision on use of “doctor” or “Dr.” by unlicensed persons. Alaska licenses naturopaths; practicing naturopathy without a license is a class A misdemeanor. | The naturopathic title section itself has not been read in its current form. | Alaska Stat. §§ 08.64.360, 08.45.010, 08.45.080 | 2026-10-02 |
| Arizona | A class 2 misdemeanor for a person not licensed or exempt to use “M.D.” in a way suggesting licensure, to use “doctor of medicine,” “physician” or “surgeon” without naming another healing-arts branch, or to use any words that would lead the public to believe they are licensed to practice medicine. Unlicensed persons may not use “doctor of naturopathic medicine,” “N.M.D.,” “doctor of naturopathy,” “N.D.” or “naturopathic physician.” | “Dr.” alone, used outside the healing arts, is not named. | Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 32-1455, 32-1555(A)(1)–(2) | 2026-10-01 |
| Arkansas | No medical-title statute has been located. | Arkansas’s title rules have not yet been located; this row is incomplete. | — | 2026-09-30 |
| California | A misdemeanor to use “doctor,” “physician,” “Dr.,” “M.D.” or “D.O.” without the relevant certificate, including use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in a health care setting that would lead a reasonable patient to conclude the person is a licensed physician. A federal court upheld the law against a First Amendment challenge in 2025. Since 2026, the title prohibitions also apply to developers and deployers of AI systems that use the terms. | The 2025 court decision is on appeal to the Ninth Circuit. From 1 January 2028, “doctor of osteopathy,” “D.O.” and “osteopath” are separately restricted. | Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 2054, 4999.8, 4999.9; Palmer v. Bonta (C.D. Cal. 2025) | 2026-10-02 |
| Colorado | Practicing medicine includes using “M.D.,” “D.O.,” “physician,” “surgeon” or any word indicating licensure to practice medicine in Colorado. “Dr.” and “doctor” are not named. Services consistent with the safe harbor are exempt. | Read in reproductions; the section was amended in 2026. | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 12-240-107(1)(d), (3)(x), (5) | 2026-10-01 |
| Connecticut | No one engaged in healing the sick, other than a licensed physician, may use “physician,” “surgeon,” “doctor,” “Dr.,” “M.D.” or similar with the intent to represent, or in a manner likely to induce the belief, that they practice medicine. Class D felony. | — | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-341; § 20-9 | 2026-10-02 |
| Delaware | Practicing medicine includes using “Doctor,” “Dr.,” “physician,” “M.D.” or similar in any occupation pertaining to human disease or condition, unless the designation names another branch in which the person is licensed in Delaware. A holder of an earned doctorate may use “Dr.” except in health-related matters, where the type of doctorate must be stated. A 2026 law bars AI agents from using “Doctor,” “Dr.” and medical and nursing titles. | — | 24 Del. C. §§ 1702(14)g., 1703(6); 85 Del. Laws ch. 250 | 2026-10-01 |
| District of Columbia | No one may represent by title or description of services that they are authorized to practice a health occupation. Unless authorized, no one may use “physician,” “surgeon,” “medical doctor,” “M.D.,” specialty titles or similar titles with the intent to represent that they practice medicine. Naturopathic, dietitian and nutritionist titles are reserved on the same basis. The generic terms “counseling” and “counselor” are expressly not restricted. | “Doctor” and “Dr.” alone are not listed; each rule turns on intent. | D.C. Code §§ 3–1210.02, 3–1210.03(f), (g), (t), (x) | 2026-10-02 |
| Florida | Leading the public to believe one is a licensed medical doctor without a license is a first-degree misdemeanor. Holding oneself out, by any means, as able to provide services that require a health care license is treated as an offer to practice without a license, a third-degree felony. Naturopathy is a closed license class. Florida has no current statute on use of “Dr.” or academic degrees as such; the former degree statute was repealed in 2011 after a federal court held it unconstitutional. | — | Fla. Stat. §§ 462.01, 462.17, 462.2001; § 817.567 (repealed 2011); Strang v. Satz, 884 F. Supp. 504 (S.D. Fla. 1995); Fla. Stat. §§ 456.065, 458.327(2)(d) | 2026-09-30 |
| Georgia | A person without a medical license who attaches “Doctor,” “D.,” “Physician” or similar to their name indicating they treat the sick is deemed to be practicing medicine. Separately, anyone using “Doctor” or “Dr.” in letters, cards, advertisements, signs or listings must state the degree, mark an honorary degree as honorary, or state “no degree.” Unlicensed practice is a felony. | A separate felony for holding oneself out in “any other nondrug-giving school of medical practice” has no located decision applying it. | O.C.G.A. §§ 43-34-22, 43-34-40, 10-1-422; § 43-1-33 | 2026-10-01 |
| Hawaii | No one may, without a license, append “Dr.,” “M.D.” or “D.O.” to their name with the intent to imply that they practice medicine or surgery. | — | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 453-2(a) | 2026-10-01 |
| Idaho | Unlawful for an unlicensed person to use “medical doctor,” “medical physician,” “M.D.,” “D.O.” or any title indicating licensure to practice medicine. Up to one year and a $3,000 fine. | “Dr.” alone is not named. | Idaho Code §§ 54-1803(1), 54-1804(4) | 2026-09-30 |
| Illinois | An unlicensed person who attaches “Doctor,” “Physician,” “Surgeon,” “M.D.” or similar to their name, indicating they treat human ailments as a business, is subject to penalty and cease-and-desist orders. Anyone holding out to treat ailments must state the system they are licensed in. Knowingly using a degree one did not earn to obtain employment, admission or promotion is a Class A misdemeanor. | TIMED: the Medical Practice Act is scheduled for repeal on 1 January 2027 unless extended. | 225 ILCS 60/49, 60/52; 720 ILCS 5/17-8.3 | 2026-10-02 |
| Indiana | Practicing medicine includes holding oneself out as engaged in diagnosing, treating or preventing any condition, or suggesting, recommending or prescribing any form of treatment. The definition reserves a list of physician titles, from “doctor of medicine” to “family practice physician.” Unlicensed practice has been charged as a felony. | Read in a reproduction; confirmation on the official site pending. | Ind. Code §§ 25-22.5-1-1.1(a), 25-22.5-8-1, 25-22.5-8-2 | 2026-10-01 |
| Iowa | Falsely claiming, by a professional title, to be a practitioner of a profession other than the one in which one is licensed is a simple misdemeanor. | UNSETTLED: the section is written for licensees; whether it reaches a person with no license is not settled. | Iowa Code § 147.74 | 2026-10-01 |
| Kansas | Practicing medicine includes attaching “M.D.,” “surgeon,” “physician” or any word indicating that one treats or diagnoses human ailments. A published decision held that using “M.D.” without a license could mislead the public. Since 2010, a person may use “doctor,” “M.D.,” “D.O.” or “D.C.” for a degree earned from an accredited healing-arts school if the use does not mislead anyone into thinking the person is licensed in Kansas. | UNSETTLED: “Dr.” is not named; whether it is such a word in a given use is not settled. | Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 65-2867, 65-2869, 65-2885 | 2026-10-02 |
| Kentucky | In any business aimed at diagnosing or treating human ailments, no one may use “Doctor” or “Dr.” without a doctor degree from an institution authorized to confer it, and the particular degree must be stated next to the title. Violation with intent to deceive carries license revocation. | How the penalty applies to someone with no license is not settled. | Ky. Rev. Stat. § 311.375 | 2026-10-01 |
| Louisiana | No one may advertise physical health, mental health or therapeutic services using “Doctor” or “Dr.” unless they state the degree and the school that granted it, mark it honorary, or state “no degree.” Enforceable under the unfair trade practices law. | — | La. Rev. Stat. § 51:413 | 2026-10-01 |
| Maine | A person not licensed in medicine who uses “Doctor,” “Dr.” or “M.D.” contrary to the section commits a crime. A holder of a non-M.D. doctorate may use “Dr.” only if not engaged in the practice of medicine or the treatment of disease. Using a degree from an institution that is not duly authorized, in connection with any business or profession, is a Class D crime. | How Maine’s safe harbor (Table 1) interacts with this section is not settled. | 32 M.R.S. § 12521; 20-A M.R.S. §§ 10801, 10802; 32 M.R.S. § 3270 (as amended by P.L. 2015, ch. 270) | 2026-09-30 |
| Maryland | An unauthorized person may not represent that they may practice medicine, or use “Dr.,” “doctor,” “physician,” “D.O.” or “M.D.” with the intent to represent that they practice medicine. A felony: up to $10,000 or five years, plus civil fines up to $50,000. | — | Md. Code Ann., Health Occ. §§ 14-101, 14-602, 14-606 | 2026-10-01 |
| Massachusetts | Reserved naturopathic titles include “naturopathic practitioner,” “natural doctor,” “doctor of natural medicine” and “NMD.” Non-licensees may recommend herbs, nutrition and homeopathy without implying licensure. | — | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 112, §§ 267, 273; 273 C.M.R. 3.02 | 2026-10-01 |
| Michigan | Knowingly using a false academic credential, or claiming one you do not have, in connection with any business, trade or profession is prohibited. A credential from an institution that is not qualified under the Act is false. Civil remedy: the greater of actual damages or $100,000 per violation. | What makes an institution “qualified” was not decided by the court. | Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 390.1601–390.1604 (Authentic Credentials in Education Act, 2005 PA 100) | 2026-10-01 |
| Minnesota | A person not licensed as a physician may not use “doctor of medicine,” “medical doctor,” “physician,” “surgeon,” “M.D.” or “D.O.” in any occupation relating to diagnosing human disease. Gross misdemeanor. Unlicensed complementary practitioners may not describe their services with “doctor,” “Dr.” or “physician.” Naturopathic titles are reserved to registrants. | From 2028, massage, Asian bodywork and music therapy titles are added. | Minn. Stat. § 147.082 (penalty § 147.081, subd. 2); § 146A.08, subd. 1(w); § 147E.10; 2026 Minn. Laws ch. 115 | 2026-09-30 |
| Mississippi | No medical-title provision located. The practice of medicine includes recommending or directing any agency, “whether material or not material,” for the relief of an ailment, for compensation. A separate act governs advertising by licensed health care practitioners. | — | Miss. Code Ann. § 73-25-33; §§ 41-121-1 to -9 | 2026-10-02 |
| Missouri | It is unlawful for anyone not registered as a physician to practice medicine or to profess to cure and attempt to treat the sick. No physician-title statute has been enacted. | Title bills have failed in several sessions, most recently 2026. | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 334.010; title bills 2020–2026 (none enacted) | 2026-10-01 |
| Montana | Practicing medicine includes holding oneself out as able to diagnose or treat human conditions. Only licensed naturopathic physicians may use “naturopath,” “naturopathic,” “naturopathy,” “N.D.” and related titles. | No provision on “Dr.” used by an unlicensed person was located. | Mont. Code Ann. §§ 37-3-102(13), 37-3-103(2); § 37-26-401 (naturopathic titles) | 2026-10-01 |
| Nebraska | Practicing medicine includes attaching “M.D.,” “surgeon,” “physician” or any word indicating diagnosis or treatment, and suggesting, recommending or prescribing any form of treatment for an ailment. | — | Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 38-2024(3), (4), (6), 38-2025 | 2026-10-01 |
| Nevada | Knowingly using a false or misleading degree from a private institution, including one based largely on life experience, is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $5,000. Since July 2025, a person without a government credential may not represent themselves as qualified to provide professional mental or behavioral health care, including by using “therapist,” “psychotherapist,” “counselor” or any similar title. Civil penalty up to $15,000 per violation. | UNSETTLED: whether a compound title such as “life counselor” is a “similar title.” | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 394.700; NRS ch. 433 (2025 Nev. Stat. ch. 283, A.B. 406) | 2026-10-02 |
| New Hampshire | Advertising or holding out as qualified to practice medicine, or calling oneself a physician, without a license is a misdemeanor; administrative fines up to $50,000. | “Dr.” and “doctor” are not named. | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 329:24 | 2026-09-30 |
| New Jersey | A person who uses “Dr.,” “doctor,” “professor,” “M.D.” or another title implying medical practice, and holds out as able to diagnose or treat, is regarded as practicing medicine. Knowingly practicing or holding out without a license is a third-degree crime. Using degree letters from an institution that is not duly authorized carries a civil penalty. | Read in reproductions; confirmation on the official site pending. | N.J. Stat. Ann. §§ 45:9-18, 2C:21-20, 18A:3-15.1 to 15.5 | 2026-10-02 |
| New Mexico | “Naturopathic doctor,” “doctor of naturopathy,” “N.D.” and “NMD” are reserved to licensees. Non-licensees may practice within the safe harbor, including naturopathy, without those titles. | — | N.M. Stat. Ann. § 61-12G-10 | 2026-10-01 |
| New York | Only licensees may use the title “physician.” Anyone using “doctor” to sell goods or services aimed at diagnosing or treating any condition must conspicuously state their licensed profession or, if none, the subject of the degree and the issuing institution. “Doctor” may not be used at all unless the degree came from an institution authorized to confer it. | — | N.Y. Educ. Law § 6522; N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 350-b | 2026-09-30 |
| North Carolina | Practicing medicine includes using “Doctor,” “Dr.,” “Physician,” “M.D.” or similar in any occupation pertaining to human disease or condition, unless the designation names another healing art in which the person is licensed. Unlicensed practice is a misdemeanor, or a felony with a false claim of licensure. | — | N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 90-1.1(5)(e), 90-18 | 2026-09-30 |
| North Dakota | Knowingly using a false academic degree in connection with any business or profession is a class A misdemeanor. Health care advertisements naming a practitioner must identify the license held. | UNSETTLED: whether the advertising rule reaches an unlicensed person using “N.D.” | N.D. Cent. Code §§ 15-18.1-13, 15-18.1-14, 15-18.1-16; N.D. Cent. Code ch. 43-65 (Health Care Practitioner Professional Transparency) | 2026-09-30 |
| Ohio | Using “Dr.,” “Doctor,” “M.D.,” “physician” or any title in a way that represents one as practicing medicine is itself practicing medicine. Use in circumstances that induce that belief is prima facie evidence of intent. Unlicensed practice is a felony. | — | Ohio Rev. Code §§ 4731.14(C), 4731.34; Ohio Admin. Code 4731-1-03(D) | 2026-10-01 |
| Oklahoma | Practicing medicine includes using “Dr.,” “M.D.,” “physician” or similar in any health occupation unless the designation names another licensed branch. Anyone else using “doctor” must state the authority, college or honorary degree behind it, and appending “Dr.” in a way indicating qualification to diagnose or treat is prima facie evidence of holding out. Unlicensed practice is a felony. | TIMED: amended effective 1 November 2026. Some text read in reproductions. | Okla. Stat. tit. 59, §§ 491, 492, 725.2, 731.2 | 2026-10-02 |
| Oregon | Practicing medicine includes using “Doctor,” “Physician” or similar in any occupation pertaining to the diagnosis or treatment of human disease. Separately, anyone practicing a health care profession may use “doctor” only with a doctorate in the field and a license in it, naming the profession on all material, including social media and name badges. Degree claims are regulated, with civil penalties; a certificate that cannot be mistaken for a degree is not a “degree.” | UNSETTLED: whether an unlicensed practitioner is “practicing a health care profession” under the doctor-title law. | Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 348.609, 676.110, 677.085(5); Or. Admin. R. 583-050-0011, -0028 | 2026-10-02 |
| Pennsylvania | Practicing or offering to practice medicine without a license is unlawful and may be enjoined. No provision on the use of “doctor” or “Dr.” has been located. | Absence of a located provision is not a finding that none exists. | 63 P.S. §§ 422.10, 422.38 | 2026-10-02 |
| Rhode Island | A person not authorized to practice medicine who holds out as a practitioner of medicine, including by using “doctor,” “Dr.,” “M.D.” or any title implying medical practice, faces up to three years’ imprisonment or a $1,000 fine. Misleading use of “doctor” or “Dr.” is a disciplinary ground for registered complementary practitioners. | — | R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-74-4(18); R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-37-12 | 2026-09-30 |
| South Carolina | Practicing medicine includes using “Doctor,” “Dr.,” “Physician,” “M.D.” or similar in any occupation pertaining to human disease or condition, unless the designation names another healing art in which the person is licensed. The Attorney General reads this to mean a person using “doctor” in such an occupation is by definition practicing medicine. Misdemeanor, up to one year or $50,000. Naturopathy is prohibited. | Proposals to limit the rule to a “clinical setting” were not enacted. | S.C. Code Ann. §§ 40-47-20(36)(g), 40-47-200; Op. S.C. Att’y Gen. (2007) | 2026-10-02 |
| South Dakota | Practicing medicine includes appending “M.D.,” “Doctor,” “Dr.,” “Specialist” or similar “in a medical sense,” and recommending any agency for the relief of an ailment. Using “doctor” or any designation indicating qualification to diagnose or treat is prima facie evidence of holding out. A person with a doctorate in “any academic field” from a reputable institution may use “doctor.” | “Reputable institution” is not defined. | S.D. Codified Laws § 36-4-9; §§ 36-2-2, 36-2-3, 36-2-5 | 2026-10-01 |
| Tennessee | Practicing medicine includes attaching any of about 45 listed titles to a name, including “Doctor of medicine,” “M.D.,” “Physician,” “Surgeon” and specialty terms. Since 2026 the list includes “lifestyle medicine,” “clinical informatics” and “medical virtualist.” Bare “Doctor” or “Dr.” is not on the list. | The 2026 amendment was confirmed through legislative trackers; official text pending. | Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-6-204 (as amended by 2026 Pub. Ch. 697) | 2026-10-02 |
| Texas | Anyone other than listed licensees who uses “doctor” on any sign, stationery or professional identification must state the authority or the college or honorary degree behind it. Using a degree from an institution without recognized accreditation is regulated, and fraudulent credential use is a misdemeanor. | — | Tex. Educ. Code §§ 61.302(11), 61.303, 61.313; Tex. Penal Code § 32.52; Tex. Occ. Code ch. 104, esp. § 104.004 | 2026-09-30 |
| Utah | Practicing medicine includes using “doctor,” “Dr.,” “physician,” “M.D.” or similar in any health occupation, in printed material or advertising, in a way that might cause a reasonable person to believe the user is a licensed physician. An unlicensed M.D.-degree holder may use “M.D.” only followed by “Not Licensed.” | — | Utah Code § 58-67-102(19)(a)(iv) | 2026-10-01 |
| Vermont | Practicing medicine includes using “Doctor,” “Dr.,” “Physician,” “M.D.” or similar in any health occupation, unless the designation names another branch in which the person is licensed in Vermont. Up to two years’ imprisonment or a $10,000 fine, or both; fees cannot be recovered. | — | 26 V.S.A. §§ 1311(1), 1312, 1314 | 2026-10-02 |
| Virginia | Anyone who uses “Doctor,” “Dr.,” “M.D.,” “Healer,” “N.P.” or any title intended to imply that they practice the healing arts or can heal, cure or relieve disease is regarded as practicing the healing arts. | A revised version of part of this section takes effect 1 July 2027. | Va. Code §§ 54.1-2902, 54.1-2903, 54.1-2929 | 2026-09-30 |
| Washington | Knowingly using a false academic credential in advertising or promoting a business, or to obtain employment or a license, is a gross misdemeanor. No one may represent themselves as a naturopath, or use “naturopath,” “naturopathic,” “ND” or similar, without a license. | — | Wash. Rev. Code §§ 9A.60.070, 28B.85.220, 18.36A.030 | 2026-10-01 |
| West Virginia | Unlawful for an unlicensed person to use any title, word or abbreviation to indicate or induce others to believe they are licensed to practice medicine. Practicing medicine without ever having been licensed is a felony. | — | W. Va. Code § 30-3-13(a), (c), (h) (as amended through 2024 S.B. 714) | 2026-10-02 |
| Wisconsin | No one may use “doctor of medicine” or “M.D.” without the degree or a physician license. Unlicensed persons may not use “naturopathic doctor,” “doctor of naturopathy,” “N.D.” or the words “naturopathic medicine.” The statute expressly allows the title “naturopath” if it is not otherwise misused. | “Dr.” alone is not addressed. Physician-title bills from 2023 were not enacted. | Wis. Stat. §§ 448.03(3), 466.02 | 2026-10-02 |
| Wyoming | Practicing medicine includes attaching “M.D.,” “physician,” “surgeon,” “doctor” or similar in any occupation pertaining to human disease or condition, unless the designation names another branch in which the person is licensed in Wyoming. | — | Wyo. Stat. § 33-26-102(a)(xi)(C) (as amended by 2021 Wyo. Sess. Laws, Enrolled Act 38, eff. Jan. 1, 2022) | 2026-10-02 |