Legal Question in Administrative Law in California

Re: Title of business card

Mr. Meyer is more astute than I since he knew of that Code Section. Basically, you are allowed to use any name you want as long as it is withuot the purpose of defrauding or deceiving the other person. The whole purpose of putting Dr. on a business card is to make them believe that you were a Dr. , so you should not do so. You could probably do it on a personal/social card as many people with doctorates do not have them as an M.D. and are entitled by academic rules to be called "Dr."

Re: Title of business card

No, I'm afraid you may not be called "doctor" or have the title "M.D." on your business card.

The relevant California law is the Business & Professions Code Section 2054. It reads as follows.

2054. (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.