Text of Statute

A person shall be regarded as practicing medicine, surgery, or podiatry, within the meaning of this chapter, who uses the words or letters, "Dr.," "Doctor," "Professor," "M.D.," "D.S.C.," "Pod. D.," "M.B.," or any other title in connection with the person's name that in any way represents the person as engaged in the practice of medicine, surgery, or podiatry, in any of its branches, or who examines or diagnoses for compensation of any kind, or prescribes, advises, recommends, administers, or dispenses for compensation of any kind, direct or indirect, a drug or medicine, appliance, mold or cast, application, operation, or treatment, of whatever nature, for the cure or relief of a wound, fracture or bodily injury, infirmity, or disease, provided that the treatment of human ills through prayer alone by a practitioner of the Christian Science church, in accordance with the tenets and creed of such church, shall not be regarded as the practice of medicine; and provided further that sanitary and public health laws shall be complied with, no practices shall be used that may be dangerous or detrimental to life or health, and no person shall be denied the benefits of accepted medical and surgical practices.

The use of any such words, letters, or titles in any connection or under any circumstances as to induce the belief that the person who uses them is engaged in the practice of medicine, surgery, or podiatry is prima-facie evidence of the intent of such person to represent the person as engaged in the practice of medicine, surgery, or podiatry.

HISTORY: GC § 1286; 99 v 500, § 43; 123 v 440; Bureau of Code Revision, 10-1-53; 128 v 57 (Eff 8-24-59); 132 v H 662 (Eff 12-14-67); 146 v S 154. Eff 9-10-96.