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Is it legal for a nondoctor, introduced as a doctor exaimine if reffered specialist

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ecmst12

Senior Member
Considering their scope of practice, I don't think it's inappropriately deceptive, though it may be confusing.
 


quincy

Senior Member
Considering their scope of practice, I don't think it's inappropriately deceptive, though it may be confusing.
States have laws that address who can use the title "doctor" and how they can use it. Most states require that, if a person is not an MD or a DO, they should only use the title doctor if they explain what kind of doctor they are (e.g., Dr. Smith, doctor of philosophy). This is what the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Clinicians recommend.

Various ways different states address the "doctor as title" issue:

Oregon: http://www.oregon.gov/omb/licensing/Documents/mddodpm/mddo-dr-title-law.pdf
New York: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/slpa/speechguidedoctor.htm
Michigan: https://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(xzmct1gruqtxsg5wjxacv4ha))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-333-17011
Kentucky: http://www.lrc.ky.gov/Statutes/statute.aspx?id=30491
Washington: http://web.archive.org/web/20090913195032/http://psychboard.wa.gov.au/documents/policy5.pdf

In brief, if someone has a doctorate and wants to use the title doctor, an explanation should follow so that there is no confusion generated.
 

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