# Use of the term "M.D." - academic or professional? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 24, 2006, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-term-m-d-academic-or-professional/377730 "2006-10-24T17:24:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-term-m-d-academic-or-professional/377730/1 "2006-10-24T17:24:29Z")
Let’s say that someone has earned a medical degree outside of the U.S., and would be fully qualified to practice in his own country. Suppose further that his degree has been evaluated stateside and found to be academically equivalent to a degree earned in the U.S. If this person has taken no further steps towards acquiring a license to practice, is he still entitled to call himself an “M.D.” here in the U.S.? Note – I’m not asking if he’s allowed to practice medicine, but whether he can legitimately claim to be an M.D. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-term-m-d-academic-or-professional/377730/2 "2006-10-24T17:35:26Z")
I would think yes. The university made them an M.D. when the degree was granted. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-term-m-d-academic-or-professional/377730/3 "2006-10-24T17:45:04Z")
[QUOTE=Spectre of Pithecanthropus] I would think yes. The university made them an M.D. when the degree was granted. [/QUOTE] Depends. If they’ve qualified as a doctor in Britain, they have a BMed, which is a different title but an equivalent qualification. To call themselves an MD would potentially be fraudulent, or open to accusations of being misleading? ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-term-m-d-academic-or-professional/377730/4 "2006-10-24T17:52:17Z")
Is there anything illegal about affixing “MD” to your name? I asked a similar question a while back (which has since disappeared) about “PhD,” and the consensus was “No, it’s not illegal.” In that specific case, someone had received a “PhD” from a local church, and referred to himself as “Dr. (whatever), PhD.” But that was just a consensus, and I don’t know that anyone had a legal background to respond to it. And now it’s gone. ---
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-term-m-d-academic-or-professional/377730/5 "2006-10-24T18:08:33Z")
**GorillaMan** has hit upon the crux of my question. We’ve already established (within the OP) that this person (let’s call him Joe) has a degree that is comparable to a U.S.-earned M.D. If, within the United States, Joe calls himself an M.D., does that necessarily imply that he is licensed to practice? If not, how can this be considered misrepresentation? Just for comparison, can someone whose medical license has been revoked still call himself an M.D.? ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-term-m-d-academic-or-professional/377730/6 "2006-10-24T18:48:06Z")
I did a little looking and was somewhat surprised to find: > [@](#): > > 333.17011 License or authorization required; granting license to individuals meeting certain requirements; prohibition; conditions for granting license; use of words, titles, or letters. > > Sec. 17011. > > (1) An individual shall not engage in the practice of medicine or practice as a physician’s assistant unless licensed or otherwise authorized by this article. An individual shall not engage in teaching or research that requires the practice of medicine unless the individual is licensed or otherwise authorized by this article. > > * * * > > (5) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection,\*\* the following words, titles, or letters or a combination thereof, with or without qualifying words or phrases, are restricted in use only to those individuals authorized under this part to use the terms and in a way prescribed in this part: “doctor of medicine”, “m.d.”\*\*, “physician’s assistant”, and “p.a.”. Notwithstanding section 16261, an individual who was specially trained at an institution of higher education in this state to assist a physician in the field of orthopedics and, upon completion of training, received a 2-year associate of science degree as an orthopedic physician’s assistant before January 1, 1977 may use the title “orthopedic physician’s assistant” whether or not the individual is licensed under this part. (Emphasis added) [http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(tbjwk445asgkbe55xm1uxj2g))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-333-17011](http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(tbjwk445asgkbe55xm1uxj2g))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-333-17011) _State v. Thomas_: [http://www.kscourts.org/kscases/ctapp/2004/20040917/91403.htm](http://www.kscourts.org/kscases/ctapp/2004/20040917/91403.htm) (dentist enjoined from using “M.D.” despite possession of M.D. degree, where not a licensed physician) ---
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-term-m-d-academic-or-professional/377730/7 "2006-10-24T20:09:41Z")
[QUOTE=Gfactor] I did a little looking and was somewhat surprised to find: (Emphasis added) [http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(tbjwk445asgkbe55xm1uxj2g))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-333-17011](http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(tbjwk445asgkbe55xm1uxj2g))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-333-17011) _State v. Thomas_: [http://www.kscourts.org/kscases/ctapp/2004/20040917/91403.htm](http://www.kscourts.org/kscases/ctapp/2004/20040917/91403.htm) (dentist enjoined from using “M.D.” despite possession of M.D. degree, where not a licensed physician) [/QUOTE] I knew there was a reason I love this board so much. Thanks, **Gfactor**! ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-term-m-d-academic-or-professional/377730/8 "2006-10-24T20:48:54Z")
Not every state has the same rules, obviously: New York: > [@](#): > > Only a person licensed or otherwise authorized under this article shall practice medicine or use the title “physician”. [http://www.op.nysed.gov/article131.htm](http://www.op.nysed.gov/article131.htm) California: > [@](#): > > 1. (a) Any person who uses in any sign, business card, or > letterhead, or, in an advertisement, the words “doctor” or > “physician,” the letters or prefix “Dr.,” the initials “M.D.,” or any > other terms or letters indicating or implying that he or she is a > physician and surgeon, physician, surgeon, or practitioner under the > terms of this or any other law, or that he or she is entitled to > practice hereunder, or who represents or holds himself or herself out > as a physician and surgeon, physician, surgeon, or practitioner > under the terms of this or any other law, without having at the time > of so doing a valid, unrevoked, and unsuspended certificate as a > physician and surgeon under this chapter, is guilty of a misdemeanor. > **[WAIS Document Retrieval](https://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate?WAISdocID=72152127008+6+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve)** Illinois: > [@](#): > > Sec. 49. If any person does any of the following and does not possess a valid license issued under this Act, that person shall be sentenced as provided in Section 59 . . . (vi) attaches the title Doctor, Physician, Surgeon, M.D., D.O. or D.C. or any other word or abbreviation to his or her name indicating that he or she is engaged in the treatment of human ailments or conditions as a business. [http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1309&ChapAct=225%26nbsp%3BILCS%26nbsp%3B60%2F&ChapterID=24&ChapterName=PROFESSIONS+AND+OCCUPATIONS&ActName=Medical+Practice+Act+of+1987.](http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1309&ChapAct=225%26nbsp%3BILCS%26nbsp%3B60%2F&ChapterID=24&ChapterName=PROFESSIONS+AND+OCCUPATIONS&ActName=Medical+Practice+Act+of+1987%2E) Florida: > [@](#): > > (d) Leading the public to believe that one is licensed as a medical doctor, or is engaged in the licensed practice of medicine, without holding a valid, active license. > **[Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes :-\>2006-\>Ch0458-\>Section...](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0458%2FSEC327.HTM&Title=-%3E2006-%3ECh0458-%3ESection%20327)** ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-term-m-d-academic-or-professional/377730/9 "2006-10-24T20:53:18Z")
All these legal quotes seem to be talking about somebody actually advertising themselves as a practicing physician. What about the OP’s question, where somebody _not_ working in the medical field wants to use their academic qualification as a suffix in the way other graduates can? ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-term-m-d-academic-or-professional/377730/10 "2006-10-24T22:17:29Z")
On its face, the Michigan statute prohibits all use of the term M.D. Also the Kansas case I cited says: > [@](#): > > Thomas’ practice of using the M.D. designation in this case is a clear violation of the Act. Under K.S.A. 65-2869, Thomas is deemed to be practicing medicine and surgery by his use of the M.D. designation. K.S.A. 65-2869 states in relevant part: > > "For the purpose of this act the following persons shall be deemed to be engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery: > > . . . . > > “(c) Persons who attach to their name the title M.D., surgeon, physician, physician and surgeon, or any other word or abbreviation indicating that they are engaged in the treatment or diagnosis of ailments, diseases or injuries of human beings.” > > From this statute, we understand that an M.D. is someone “engaged in the treatment or diagnosis of ailments, diseases or injuries of human beings.” > > Under K.S.A. 65-2867(a), Thomas is prohibited from holding out to the public the authority or skill to practice medicine by the use of a professional degree or designation. This statute states: > > “It shall be unlawful for any person who is not licensed under the Kansas healing arts act or whose license has been revoked or suspended to open or maintain an office for the practice of the healing arts as defined in this act or to announce or hold out to the public the intention, authority or skill to practice the healing arts as defined in the Kansas healing arts act by the use of any professional degree or designation, sign, card, circular, device, advertisement or representation.” (Emphasis added.) > > To protect members of the public from the unlicensed practice of medicine or surgery, K.S.A. 65-2867(a) prohibits the use by an unlicensed person of any professional degree or designation that is likely to cause the public to believe that the unlicensed person is licensed. As a result, K.S.A. 65-2867(a) expressly prohibits the use by an unlicensed person of any designation that is likely to be confused with someone who is licensed to engage “in the treatment or diagnosis of ailments, diseases or injuries of human beings.” K.S.A. 65-2869(c). > > Thomas uses the M.D. designation on business cards that he distributes to the public. On his practice group’s website, Thomas represents that he received his medical degree from UHSA but fails to disclose that he is not licensed to practice. In addition, Thomas changed the corporate name of his business to Steven L. Thomas, D.D.S., M.D., Chartered. > > By using the M.D. designation when he holds himself out to the public, Thomas could mislead the public into believing that he is a licensed M.D. who is engaged “in the treatment or diagnosis of ailments, diseases or injuries of human beings.” K.S.A. 65-2869(c). Thus, K.S.A. 65-2867(a) forbids such use of the M.D. designation. > > In addition to attaching the M.D. designation to his name when holding himself out to the public, Thomas has used this title designation in patient records and communications to hospitals. K.S.A. 65-2803(a), in combination with 65-2869, prohibits an unlicensed individual from using the M.D. designation in this manner. K.S.A. 65-2803(a) states: “It shall be unlawful for any person who is not licensed under the Kansas healing arts act . . . to engage in the practice of the healing arts as defined in the Kansas healing arts act.” As discussed above, under K.S.A. 65-2869, Thomas is deemed to engage in the healing arts by his use of the M.D. designation indicating that he is “engaged in the treatment or diagnosis of ailments, diseases or injuries of human beings.” Because Thomas is not licensed to practice the healing arts in Kansas, his use of the M.D. designation violates K.S.A. 65-2803(a). While Thomas was practicing a related field (dentistry) the court makes clear that he was not advertising himself as a practising physician. It found that the use of the term M.D. \*was \* the practice of medicine. I don’t necessarily agree with the case, and some of what the court says is not necessary to its holding, but there it is. Obviously, there are First Amendment implications here, but the lines are blurry. Statutes are collected in Michael H. Cohen, _A Fixed Star in Health Care Reform: The Emerging Paradigm of Holistic Healing_, 27 Ariz. St. L.J. 79 (1995), which summarizes these provisions: > [@](#): > > 1. Attaching a Title > > In about half the states, attaching to one’s name one or more of the following constitutes the “practice of medicine:” “doctor,” “doctor of medicine,” “doctor of osteopathy,” “physician,” “surgeon,” “physician and surgeon,” “Dr.,” “M.D.,” “D.O.,” or other words or abbreviations to indicate or induce others to believe that one is licensed to practice medicine and engaged in the duties characteristic of the “practice of medicine.” > The Delaware statute also includes using the word “healer” in connection with one’s name. In Nebraska, Christian Science healing has been held to constitute the “practice of medicine.” Ohio, Oklahoma, and Vermont include using the word “Professor” in connection with the person’s name. In Maine and Ohio, the use of certain words or letters is prima facie evidence of intent to represent one’s self as engaged in the “practice of medicine or surgery.” For example, one is guilty of practicing medicine without a license if one uses “M.D.” in a manner that induces a belief that the individual is engaged in medical practice; the prosecution is not required to make a further showing that the defendant has, in fact, treated patients. This summary supports **GorillaMan** ’s comment, but fails to account for the Michigan statute or the Kansas decision, or at least possible broad readings of either one. OTOH, I doubt a person using M.D. in the fashion described would get much of a reaction from regulators or prosecutors. ---
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-term-m-d-academic-or-professional/377730/11 "2006-10-25T01:15:01Z")
Hmmm, this really makes me wonder about MD/PhD’s. IIRC, quite a few of these “medical scientists” never bother to obtain licenses to practice medicine because they’ve chosen to enter a career centered around academics and research, and yet they often identify themselves as MD/PhD’s. I wonder if they’re technically in violation of any of these statutes. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-term-m-d-academic-or-professional/377730/12 "2006-10-25T01:24:20Z")
[QUOTE=threemae] Hmmm, this really makes me wonder about MD/PhD’s. IIRC, quite a few of these “medical scientists” never bother to obtain licenses to practice medicine because they’ve chosen to enter a career centered around academics and research, and yet they often identify themselves as MD/PhD’s. I wonder if they’re technically in violation of any of these statutes. [/QUOTE] I was wondering the same thing. A fair number of people that have genuine U.S. university M.D. degrees never get their licenses to practice medicine. Some of them are researchers while others become very highly paid medical malpractice attorneys (dual medical and law degrees) and all sorts of other odd things. To me, the M.D. just says that someone was granted a degree designated with the letters M.D. and it doesn’t convey a license or competency to practice medicine because those are separate issues. Not all medical doctors have an M.D. either. Doctors of Osteopathy (D.O.) are medical doctors as well and they have a different academic degree. M.D. \<\> licensed medical doctor in either direction in my mind. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-term-m-d-academic-or-professional/377730/13 "2006-10-25T02:14:33Z")
[QUOTE=Shagnasty] I was wondering the same thing. [/QUOTE] Seems like they could have problems not only in Kansas, and maybe Michigan, but some other places too. OTOH, I’ve never heard of an MD/PhD getting into trouble. > [@](#): > > To me, the M.D. just says that someone was granted a degree designated with the letters M.D. and it doesn’t convey a license or competency to practice medicine because those are separate issues. I agree. > [@](#): > > Not all medical doctors have an M.D. either. Doctors of Osteopathy (D.O.) are medical doctors as well and they have a different academic degree. There’s a separate issue about whether DOs can call themselves MDs. ---
**Author:** ![cerberus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cerberus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cerberus)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-term-m-d-academic-or-professional/377730/14 "2006-10-25T05:14:57Z")
In the US: MD or DO: Physicians (Alleopathic and Osteopathic) In the UK-phillic Schools: MBBS, ChB: Physician, Surgeon In the US: Paramedical/Non-physician Creds: PA: Physician’s Assistant (After post-bacc degree) APRN/CNP: Advanced Practice RN/Certified Nurse Practitioner (typically post MS or PhD) RN: Registered Nurse (Usually post Bacc, sometimes post Associates) LPN: Licensed Practical Nurse (post-associate) DPM: Podiatrist OD:Doctor of Optometry Nontraditional(US): DC: Doctor of Chiropractic ND: Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine The US professional doctorates are generally not research focused, and include: JD: Juris Doctor (Law) EdD: Doctor of Education (usu Educational Admin) DBA: Doctor of Business Administration The standard US research degrees are the PhD and ScD, period. Additionally, the US supports post-doc work. In Europe and the UK, there are sometimes at least two levels of research doctorates… In short, the convention in the US is to not use the “Dr.” title gratuitously outside of work environments. A person insisting on being “Doctored” outside of their work environment is generally being pretentious and annoying. Physicians trained in the US model earn an MD or a DO. Physicians trained elsewhere earn something else, but a credentialled physician is generally “Doctored” in medical or clinical settings. The degree doesn’t really make you a “Doctor” per se, but rather a combination of medical licensing and completed residencies and fellowships. The MD/DO/MBBS is the entry ticket. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-term-m-d-academic-or-professional/377730/15 "2006-10-25T09:45:13Z")
[QUOTE=cerberus] In Europe and the UK, there are sometimes at least two levels of research doctorates… [/QUOTE] Really? ---
**Author:** ![scareyfaerie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scareyfaerie/32/3135_2.png) [@scareyfaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scareyfaerie)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-term-m-d-academic-or-professional/377730/16 "2006-10-25T10:33:13Z")
[QUOTE=cerberus] In Europe and the UK, there are sometimes at least two levels of research doctorates… [/QUOTE] Are there? Are you sure you’re not confusing a PhD with an MPhil which is what you get if you don’t qualify for the PhD? ---
**Author:** ![Crescend](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Crescend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crescend)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-term-m-d-academic-or-professional/377730/17 "2006-10-25T13:18:31Z")
[QUOTE=ScareyFaerie] Are there? Are you sure you’re not confusing a PhD with an MPhil which is what you get if you don’t qualify for the PhD? [/QUOTE] In Russia and the other former Soviet countries, you have the “low PhD”, which is called кандидат наук (Candidate of Sciences), and the “high PhD”, which is called доктор наук (Doctor of Sciences). Each requires a dissertation defense. The former is effectively a Western-style PhD, while the latter is more like getting tenure - in order to be accepted into a Doctoral program, you have to present significant work that you’ve done as a postdoc. ---
**Author:** ![scareyfaerie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scareyfaerie/32/3135_2.png) [@scareyfaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scareyfaerie)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-term-m-d-academic-or-professional/377730/18 "2006-10-25T14:27:36Z")
Ah…with you now… ---
**Author:** ![cerberus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cerberus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cerberus)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-term-m-d-academic-or-professional/377730/19 "2006-10-25T22:27:00Z")
Yes, in the European traditions, there are “lower” and “higher” earned doctorates. In Germany, there is a Ph.D., and a Dr.Habil. The Dr.Habil is a higher degree than the Ph.D. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-term-m-d-academic-or-professional/377730/20 "2006-10-25T22:31:19Z")
[QUOTE=cerberus] Yes, in the European traditions, there are “lower” and “higher” earned doctorates. In Germany, there is a Ph.D., and a Dr.Habil. The Dr.Habil is a higher degree than the Ph.D. [/QUOTE] That’s why I queried your statement - you said this included the UK, where this isn’t the case. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-term-m-d-academic-or-professional/377730.md?page=2)