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| 1 | + | CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 985Introduced by Assembly Member AhrensFebruary 20, 2025 An act to amend Section 680 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 985, as introduced, Ahrens. Health care practitioners: titles: name tags. Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California within the Department of Consumer Affairs and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons.Existing law makes it a misdemeanor for a person to use 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 D.O., or any other terms or letters indicating or implying that the person is a physician and surgeon, physician, surgeon, or practitioner, without having a certificate as a physician and surgeon. Existing law also prohibits a person from using the words doctor or physician, the letters or prefix Dr., the initials M.D. or D.O., or any other terms or letters indicating or implying that the person is a physician and surgeon, physician, surgeon, or practitioner in a health care setting that would lead a reasonable patient to determine that person is a licensed M.D. or D.O. Existing law contains some exceptions to these provisions.This bill would specifically make it unlawful for a person to use the title doctor or the letters or prefix Dr. on their name tag unless authorized to use that term pursuant to the provisions described above or any other law.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 680 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:680. (a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a health care practitioner shall disclose, while working, his or her their name and practitioners license status, as granted by this state, on a name tag in at least 18-point type. A(2) A health care practitioner in a practice or an office, whose license is prominently displayed, may opt to not wear a name tag. If(3) If a health care practitioner or a licensed clinical social worker is working in a psychiatric setting or in a setting that is not licensed by the state, the employing entity or agency shall have the discretion to make an exception from the name tag requirement for individual safety or therapeutic concerns. In(4) In the interest of public safety and consumer awareness, it shall be is unlawful for any person to use the title nurse in reference to himself or herself themselves and in any capacity, except for an individual who is a registered nurse or a licensed vocational nurse, or as otherwise provided in Section 2800. Nothing in this section shall This section does not prohibit a certified nurse assistant from using his or her their title.(5) It is unlawful for a person to use the title doctor or the letters or prefix Dr. on their name tag unless authorized to use that term pursuant to Section 2054 or any other law.(b) Facilities licensed by the State Department of Social Services, the State Department of Public Health, or the State Department of Health Care Services shall develop and implement policies to ensure that health care practitioners providing care in those facilities are in compliance with subdivision (a). The State Department of Social Services, the State Department of Public Health, and the State Department of Health Care Services shall verify through periodic inspections that the policies required pursuant to subdivision (a) have been developed and implemented by the respective licensed facilities.(c) For purposes of this article, health care practitioner means any person who engages in acts that are the subject of licensure or regulation under this division or under any initiative act referred to in this division. | |
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| 3 | + | CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 985Introduced by Assembly Member AhrensFebruary 20, 2025 An act to amend Section 680 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 985, as introduced, Ahrens. Health care practitioners: titles: name tags. Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California within the Department of Consumer Affairs and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons.Existing law makes it a misdemeanor for a person to use 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 D.O., or any other terms or letters indicating or implying that the person is a physician and surgeon, physician, surgeon, or practitioner, without having a certificate as a physician and surgeon. Existing law also prohibits a person from using the words doctor or physician, the letters or prefix Dr., the initials M.D. or D.O., or any other terms or letters indicating or implying that the person is a physician and surgeon, physician, surgeon, or practitioner in a health care setting that would lead a reasonable patient to determine that person is a licensed M.D. or D.O. Existing law contains some exceptions to these provisions.This bill would specifically make it unlawful for a person to use the title doctor or the letters or prefix Dr. on their name tag unless authorized to use that term pursuant to the provisions described above or any other law.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO | |
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| 5 | - | Amended IN Assembly March 24, 2025 | |
| 6 | 5 | ||
| 7 | - | Amended IN Assembly March 24, 2025 | |
| 6 | + | ||
| 7 | + | ||
| 8 | 8 | ||
| 9 | 9 | CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION | |
| 10 | 10 | ||
| 11 | 11 | Assembly Bill | |
| 12 | 12 | ||
| 13 | 13 | No. 985 | |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| 15 | 15 | Introduced by Assembly Member AhrensFebruary 20, 2025 | |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| 17 | 17 | Introduced by Assembly Member Ahrens | |
| 18 | 18 | February 20, 2025 | |
| 19 | 19 | ||
| 20 | - | An act to amend Section 680 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts. | |
| 20 | + | An act to amend Section 680 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts. | |
| 21 | 21 | ||
| 22 | 22 | LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST | |
| 23 | 23 | ||
| 24 | 24 | ## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST | |
| 25 | 25 | ||
| 26 | - | AB 985, as | |
| 26 | + | AB 985, as introduced, Ahrens. Health care practitioners: titles: name tags. | |
| 27 | 27 | ||
| 28 | - | Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of specified healing arts licensees, including, among others, physicians and surgeons, physician assistants, nurses, and nurse anesthetists. Existing unfair competition laws establishes a statutory cause of action for unfair competition, including any unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent business act or practice and unfair, deceptive, untrue, or misleading advertising.This bill, the Anesthesiologist Assistant Practice Act, would make it unlawful for any person to hold themselves out as an anesthesiologist assistant, as defined, unless they meet specified requirements. The bill would make it an unfair business practice to violate these provisions. The bill would require an anesthesiologist assistant to work under the direction and supervision of an anesthesiologist, and would require the anesthesiologist to be physically present on the premises, and immediately available, to oversee and take responsibility for medical services rendered by the anesthesiologist assistant. The bill would authorize an anesthesiologist assistant, under the supervision of an anesthesiologist, to assist in developing and implementing an anesthesia care plan for a patient.Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California within the Department of Consumer Affairs and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons.Existing law makes it a misdemeanor for a person to use 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 D.O., or any other terms or letters indicating or implying that the person is a physician and surgeon, physician, surgeon, or practitioner, without having a certificate as a physician and surgeon. Existing law also prohibits a person from using the words doctor or physician, the letters or prefix Dr., the initials M.D. or D.O., or any other terms or letters indicating or implying that the person is a physician and surgeon, physician, surgeon, or practitioner in a health care setting that would lead a reasonable patient to determine that person is a licensed M.D. or D.O. Existing law contains some exceptions to these provisions.This bill would specifically make it unlawful for a person to use the title doctor or the letters or prefix Dr. on their name tag unless authorized to use that term pursuant to the provisions described above or any other law. | |
| 29 | - | ||
| 30 | - | Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of specified healing arts licensees, including, among others, physicians and surgeons, physician assistants, nurses, and nurse anesthetists. Existing unfair competition laws establishes a statutory cause of action for unfair competition, including any unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent business act or practice and unfair, deceptive, untrue, or misleading advertising. | |
| 31 | - | ||
| 32 | - | This bill, the Anesthesiologist Assistant Practice Act, would make it unlawful for any person to hold themselves out as an anesthesiologist assistant, as defined, unless they meet specified requirements. The bill would make it an unfair business practice to violate these provisions. The bill would require an anesthesiologist assistant to work under the direction and supervision of an anesthesiologist, and would require the anesthesiologist to be physically present on the premises, and immediately available, to oversee and take responsibility for medical services rendered by the anesthesiologist assistant. The bill would authorize an anesthesiologist assistant, under the supervision of an anesthesiologist, to assist in developing and implementing an anesthesia care plan for a patient. | |
| 28 | + | Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California within the Department of Consumer Affairs and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons.Existing law makes it a misdemeanor for a person to use 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 D.O., or any other terms or letters indicating or implying that the person is a physician and surgeon, physician, surgeon, or practitioner, without having a certificate as a physician and surgeon. Existing law also prohibits a person from using the words doctor or physician, the letters or prefix Dr., the initials M.D. or D.O., or any other terms or letters indicating or implying that the person is a physician and surgeon, physician, surgeon, or practitioner in a health care setting that would lead a reasonable patient to determine that person is a licensed M.D. or D.O. Existing law contains some exceptions to these provisions.This bill would specifically make it unlawful for a person to use the title doctor or the letters or prefix Dr. on their name tag unless authorized to use that term pursuant to the provisions described above or any other law. | |
| 33 | 29 | ||
| 34 | 30 | Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California within the Department of Consumer Affairs and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons. | |
| 35 | 31 | ||
| 36 | - | ||
| 37 | - | ||
| 38 | 32 | Existing law makes it a misdemeanor for a person to use 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 D.O., or any other terms or letters indicating or implying that the person is a physician and surgeon, physician, surgeon, or practitioner, without having a certificate as a physician and surgeon. Existing law also prohibits a person from using the words doctor or physician, the letters or prefix Dr., the initials M.D. or D.O., or any other terms or letters indicating or implying that the person is a physician and surgeon, physician, surgeon, or practitioner in a health care setting that would lead a reasonable patient to determine that person is a licensed M.D. or D.O. Existing law contains some exceptions to these provisions. | |
| 39 | 33 | ||
| 40 | - | ||
| 41 | - | ||
| 42 | 34 | This bill would specifically make it unlawful for a person to use the title doctor or the letters or prefix Dr. on their name tag unless authorized to use that term pursuant to the provisions described above or any other law. | |
| 43 | - | ||
| 44 | - | ||
| 45 | 35 | ||
| 46 | 36 | ## Digest Key | |
| 47 | 37 | ||
| 48 | 38 | ## Bill Text | |
| 49 | 39 | ||
| 50 | - | The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. | |
| 40 | + | The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 680 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:680. (a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a health care practitioner shall disclose, while working, his or her their name and practitioners license status, as granted by this state, on a name tag in at least 18-point type. A(2) A health care practitioner in a practice or an office, whose license is prominently displayed, may opt to not wear a name tag. If(3) If a health care practitioner or a licensed clinical social worker is working in a psychiatric setting or in a setting that is not licensed by the state, the employing entity or agency shall have the discretion to make an exception from the name tag requirement for individual safety or therapeutic concerns. In(4) In the interest of public safety and consumer awareness, it shall be is unlawful for any person to use the title nurse in reference to himself or herself themselves and in any capacity, except for an individual who is a registered nurse or a licensed vocational nurse, or as otherwise provided in Section 2800. Nothing in this section shall This section does not prohibit a certified nurse assistant from using his or her their title.(5) It is unlawful for a person to use the title doctor or the letters or prefix Dr. on their name tag unless authorized to use that term pursuant to Section 2054 or any other law.(b) Facilities licensed by the State Department of Social Services, the State Department of Public Health, or the State Department of Health Care Services shall develop and implement policies to ensure that health care practitioners providing care in those facilities are in compliance with subdivision (a). The State Department of Social Services, the State Department of Public Health, and the State Department of Health Care Services shall verify through periodic inspections that the policies required pursuant to subdivision (a) have been developed and implemented by the respective licensed facilities.(c) For purposes of this article, health care practitioner means any person who engages in acts that are the subject of licensure or regulation under this division or under any initiative act referred to in this division. | |
| 51 | 41 | ||
| 52 | 42 | The people of the State of California do enact as follows: | |
| 53 | 43 | ||
| 54 | 44 | ## The people of the State of California do enact as follows: | |
| 55 | 45 | ||
| 56 | - | SECTION 1. | |
| 46 | + | SECTION 1. Section 680 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:680. (a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a health care practitioner shall disclose, while working, his or her their name and practitioners license status, as granted by this state, on a name tag in at least 18-point type. A(2) A health care practitioner in a practice or an office, whose license is prominently displayed, may opt to not wear a name tag. If(3) If a health care practitioner or a licensed clinical social worker is working in a psychiatric setting or in a setting that is not licensed by the state, the employing entity or agency shall have the discretion to make an exception from the name tag requirement for individual safety or therapeutic concerns. In(4) In the interest of public safety and consumer awareness, it shall be is unlawful for any person to use the title nurse in reference to himself or herself themselves and in any capacity, except for an individual who is a registered nurse or a licensed vocational nurse, or as otherwise provided in Section 2800. Nothing in this section shall This section does not prohibit a certified nurse assistant from using his or her their title.(5) It is unlawful for a person to use the title doctor or the letters or prefix Dr. on their name tag unless authorized to use that term pursuant to Section 2054 or any other law.(b) Facilities licensed by the State Department of Social Services, the State Department of Public Health, or the State Department of Health Care Services shall develop and implement policies to ensure that health care practitioners providing care in those facilities are in compliance with subdivision (a). The State Department of Social Services, the State Department of Public Health, and the State Department of Health Care Services shall verify through periodic inspections that the policies required pursuant to subdivision (a) have been developed and implemented by the respective licensed facilities.(c) For purposes of this article, health care practitioner means any person who engages in acts that are the subject of licensure or regulation under this division or under any initiative act referred to in this division. | |
| 57 | 47 | ||
| 58 | - | SECTION 1. | |
| 48 | + | SECTION 1. Section 680 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read: | |
| 59 | 49 | ||
| 60 | 50 | ### SECTION 1. | |
| 61 | 51 | ||
| 62 | - | ||
| 52 | + | 680. (a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a health care practitioner shall disclose, while working, his or her their name and practitioners license status, as granted by this state, on a name tag in at least 18-point type. A(2) A health care practitioner in a practice or an office, whose license is prominently displayed, may opt to not wear a name tag. If(3) If a health care practitioner or a licensed clinical social worker is working in a psychiatric setting or in a setting that is not licensed by the state, the employing entity or agency shall have the discretion to make an exception from the name tag requirement for individual safety or therapeutic concerns. In(4) In the interest of public safety and consumer awareness, it shall be is unlawful for any person to use the title nurse in reference to himself or herself themselves and in any capacity, except for an individual who is a registered nurse or a licensed vocational nurse, or as otherwise provided in Section 2800. Nothing in this section shall This section does not prohibit a certified nurse assistant from using his or her their title.(5) It is unlawful for a person to use the title doctor or the letters or prefix Dr. on their name tag unless authorized to use that term pursuant to Section 2054 or any other law.(b) Facilities licensed by the State Department of Social Services, the State Department of Public Health, or the State Department of Health Care Services shall develop and implement policies to ensure that health care practitioners providing care in those facilities are in compliance with subdivision (a). The State Department of Social Services, the State Department of Public Health, and the State Department of Health Care Services shall verify through periodic inspections that the policies required pursuant to subdivision (a) have been developed and implemented by the respective licensed facilities.(c) For purposes of this article, health care practitioner means any person who engages in acts that are the subject of licensure or regulation under this division or under any initiative act referred to in this division. | |
| 63 | 53 | ||
| 64 | - | ||
| 54 | + | 680. (a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a health care practitioner shall disclose, while working, his or her their name and practitioners license status, as granted by this state, on a name tag in at least 18-point type. A(2) A health care practitioner in a practice or an office, whose license is prominently displayed, may opt to not wear a name tag. If(3) If a health care practitioner or a licensed clinical social worker is working in a psychiatric setting or in a setting that is not licensed by the state, the employing entity or agency shall have the discretion to make an exception from the name tag requirement for individual safety or therapeutic concerns. In(4) In the interest of public safety and consumer awareness, it shall be is unlawful for any person to use the title nurse in reference to himself or herself themselves and in any capacity, except for an individual who is a registered nurse or a licensed vocational nurse, or as otherwise provided in Section 2800. Nothing in this section shall This section does not prohibit a certified nurse assistant from using his or her their title.(5) It is unlawful for a person to use the title doctor or the letters or prefix Dr. on their name tag unless authorized to use that term pursuant to Section 2054 or any other law.(b) Facilities licensed by the State Department of Social Services, the State Department of Public Health, or the State Department of Health Care Services shall develop and implement policies to ensure that health care practitioners providing care in those facilities are in compliance with subdivision (a). The State Department of Social Services, the State Department of Public Health, and the State Department of Health Care Services shall verify through periodic inspections that the policies required pursuant to subdivision (a) have been developed and implemented by the respective licensed facilities.(c) For purposes of this article, health care practitioner means any person who engages in acts that are the subject of licensure or regulation under this division or under any initiative act referred to in this division. | |
| 65 | 55 | ||
| 66 | - | CHAPTER 7.75. Anesthesiologist Assistant | |
| 67 | - | ||
| 68 | - | CHAPTER 7.75. Anesthesiologist Assistant | |
| 69 | - | ||
| 70 | - | 3550. This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the Anesthesiologist Assistant Practice Act. | |
| 56 | + | 680. (a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a health care practitioner shall disclose, while working, his or her their name and practitioners license status, as granted by this state, on a name tag in at least 18-point type. A(2) A health care practitioner in a practice or an office, whose license is prominently displayed, may opt to not wear a name tag. If(3) If a health care practitioner or a licensed clinical social worker is working in a psychiatric setting or in a setting that is not licensed by the state, the employing entity or agency shall have the discretion to make an exception from the name tag requirement for individual safety or therapeutic concerns. In(4) In the interest of public safety and consumer awareness, it shall be is unlawful for any person to use the title nurse in reference to himself or herself themselves and in any capacity, except for an individual who is a registered nurse or a licensed vocational nurse, or as otherwise provided in Section 2800. Nothing in this section shall This section does not prohibit a certified nurse assistant from using his or her their title.(5) It is unlawful for a person to use the title doctor or the letters or prefix Dr. on their name tag unless authorized to use that term pursuant to Section 2054 or any other law.(b) Facilities licensed by the State Department of Social Services, the State Department of Public Health, or the State Department of Health Care Services shall develop and implement policies to ensure that health care practitioners providing care in those facilities are in compliance with subdivision (a). The State Department of Social Services, the State Department of Public Health, and the State Department of Health Care Services shall verify through periodic inspections that the policies required pursuant to subdivision (a) have been developed and implemented by the respective licensed facilities.(c) For purposes of this article, health care practitioner means any person who engages in acts that are the subject of licensure or regulation under this division or under any initiative act referred to in this division. | |
| 71 | 57 | ||
| 72 | 58 | ||
| 73 | 59 | ||
| 74 | - | ||
| 60 | + | 680. (a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a health care practitioner shall disclose, while working, his or her their name and practitioners license status, as granted by this state, on a name tag in at least 18-point type. A | |
| 75 | 61 | ||
| 76 | - | ||
| 62 | + | (2) A health care practitioner in a practice or an office, whose license is prominently displayed, may opt to not wear a name tag. If | |
| 77 | 63 | ||
| 64 | + | (3) If a health care practitioner or a licensed clinical social worker is working in a psychiatric setting or in a setting that is not licensed by the state, the employing entity or agency shall have the discretion to make an exception from the name tag requirement for individual safety or therapeutic concerns. In | |
| 78 | 65 | ||
| 79 | - | ||
| 80 | - | 3551. For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply: | |
| 81 | - | ||
| 82 | - | (a) Anesthesiologist means a physician and surgeon who has successfully completed a training program in anesthesiology accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association or equivalent organizations and is licensed under Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 2000). | |
| 83 | - | ||
| 84 | - | (b) Anesthesiologist assistant means a person who meets the requirements of Section 3552. | |
| 85 | - | ||
| 86 | - | 3552. (a) A person shall not hold themselves out as an anesthesiologist assistant unless they meet both of the following requirements:(1) Have graduated from an anesthesiologist assistant program recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or by its successor agency.(2) Hold an active certification by the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants.(b) It is an unfair business practice within the meaning of Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 17200) of Part 2 of Division 7 for any person to use the title anesthesiologist assistant or any other term, including, but not limited to, certified, licensed, registered, or AA, that implies or suggests that the person is certified as an anesthesiologist assistant, if the person does not meet the requirements of subdivision (a). | |
| 87 | - | ||
| 88 | - | ||
| 89 | - | ||
| 90 | - | 3552. (a) A person shall not hold themselves out as an anesthesiologist assistant unless they meet both of the following requirements: | |
| 91 | - | ||
| 92 | - | (1) Have graduated from an anesthesiologist assistant program recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or by its successor agency. | |
| 93 | - | ||
| 94 | - | (2) Hold an active certification by the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants. | |
| 95 | - | ||
| 96 | - | (b) It is an unfair business practice within the meaning of Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 17200) of Part 2 of Division 7 for any person to use the title anesthesiologist assistant or any other term, including, but not limited to, certified, licensed, registered, or AA, that implies or suggests that the person is certified as an anesthesiologist assistant, if the person does not meet the requirements of subdivision (a). | |
| 97 | - | ||
| 98 | - | 3553. An anesthesiologist assistant shall work under the direction and supervision of an anesthesiologist. The supervising anesthesiologist shall do both of the following:(a) Be physically present on the premises and immediately available to the anesthesiologist assistant when medical services are being rendered.(b) Oversee the activities of, and accept responsibility for, the medical services being rendered by the anesthesiologist assistant. | |
| 99 | - | ||
| 100 | - | ||
| 101 | - | ||
| 102 | - | 3553. An anesthesiologist assistant shall work under the direction and supervision of an anesthesiologist. The supervising anesthesiologist shall do both of the following: | |
| 103 | - | ||
| 104 | - | (a) Be physically present on the premises and immediately available to the anesthesiologist assistant when medical services are being rendered. | |
| 105 | - | ||
| 106 | - | (b) Oversee the activities of, and accept responsibility for, the medical services being rendered by the anesthesiologist assistant. | |
| 107 | - | ||
| 108 | - | 3554. Notwithstanding any other law, an anesthesiologist assistant under the supervision of an anesthesiologist may assist the supervising anesthesiologist in developing and implementing an anesthesia care plan for a patient. | |
| 109 | - | ||
| 110 | - | ||
| 111 | - | ||
| 112 | - | 3554. Notwithstanding any other law, an anesthesiologist assistant under the supervision of an anesthesiologist may assist the supervising anesthesiologist in developing and implementing an anesthesia care plan for a patient. | |
| 113 | - | ||
| 114 | - | ||
| 115 | - | ||
| 116 | - | ||
| 117 | - | ||
| 118 | - | (a)(1)Except as otherwise provided in this section, a health care practitioner shall disclose, while working, their name and practitioners license status, as granted by this state, on a name tag in at least 18-point type. | |
| 119 | - | ||
| 120 | - | ||
| 121 | - | ||
| 122 | - | (2)A health care practitioner in a practice or an office, whose license is prominently displayed, may opt to not wear a name tag. | |
| 123 | - | ||
| 124 | - | ||
| 125 | - | ||
| 126 | - | (3)If a health care practitioner or a licensed clinical social worker is working in a psychiatric setting or in a setting that is not licensed by the state, the employing entity or agency shall have the discretion to make an exception from the name tag requirement for individual safety or therapeutic concerns. | |
| 127 | - | ||
| 128 | - | ||
| 129 | - | ||
| 130 | - | (4)In the interest of public safety and consumer awareness, it is unlawful for any person to use the title nurse in reference to themselves and in any capacity, except for an individual who is a registered nurse or a licensed vocational nurse, or as otherwise provided in Section 2800. This section does not prohibit a certified nurse assistant from using their title. | |
| 131 | - | ||
| 132 | - | ||
| 66 | + | (4) In the interest of public safety and consumer awareness, it shall be is unlawful for any person to use the title nurse in reference to himself or herself themselves and in any capacity, except for an individual who is a registered nurse or a licensed vocational nurse, or as otherwise provided in Section 2800. Nothing in this section shall This section does not prohibit a certified nurse assistant from using his or her their title. | |
| 133 | 67 | ||
| 134 | 68 | (5) It is unlawful for a person to use the title doctor or the letters or prefix Dr. on their name tag unless authorized to use that term pursuant to Section 2054 or any other law. | |
| 135 | 69 | ||
| 136 | - | ||
| 137 | - | ||
| 138 | 70 | (b) Facilities licensed by the State Department of Social Services, the State Department of Public Health, or the State Department of Health Care Services shall develop and implement policies to ensure that health care practitioners providing care in those facilities are in compliance with subdivision (a). The State Department of Social Services, the State Department of Public Health, and the State Department of Health Care Services shall verify through periodic inspections that the policies required pursuant to subdivision (a) have been developed and implemented by the respective licensed facilities. | |
| 139 | - | ||
| 140 | - | ||
| 141 | 71 | ||
| 142 | 72 | (c) For purposes of this article, health care practitioner means any person who engages in acts that are the subject of licensure or regulation under this division or under any initiative act referred to in this division. |