AB 317

This bill restricts the words and terms that may be used to designate certain

medical professionals in titles, advertising, and descriptions of services. Under

current law, no person may use or assume the title “doctor of medicine” or append to

the person's name the letters “M.D.” unless the person possesses the degree of doctor

of medicine or the person is licensed as a physician by the Medical Examining Board.

Similarly, only individuals who possess the degree of doctor of osteopathy may use

or assume the title “doctor of osteopathy” or append “D.O.” to their name.

This bill restricts persons, except licensed physicians, from using certain

words, terms, letters, or abbreviations that represent a person as a physician. Those

restrictions under the bill apply to a person's title, advertising, or description of

services, and the bill provides an extensive but not exclusive list of the words and

terms covered by the bill.