Filter By Service Area
Filter By Title
Filter By Office

Resources

New Louisiana Law Allows Professional Licensing Boards to Enforce "Doctor" Advertising Rules

La. R.S. 51:413 requires licensed providers who use the term “Doctor” or “Dr.” in advertising to also identify the degree that entitles them to use the protected title. HB 423, now Act 362 (effective August 1, 2025), expands enforcement mechanisms available under the statute.

Previously, violations were addressed exclusively under the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (LUTPA) (La. R.S. 51:1404, et seq.). LUPTA allows for private action by citizens and state enforcement action by the Louisiana Attorney General.

Act 362 authorizes professional licensing boards to enforce La. R.S. 51:413 through their own rules and disciplinary processes. As a result, a provider who misuses the “Doctor” title in advertising may now face disciplinary sanctions against their license, administrative fines and fees, and mandatory reporting of disciplinary action to the National Practitioner Data Bank.

In conclusion, while the change is narrow in scope, it elevates the potential consequences for misusing the “Doctor” title in advertising. What was previously limited to a consumer-protection concern has now become a potential licensure and disciplinary matter. Licensed healthcare professionals and the organizations that employ them should carefully review advertising practices to ensure compliance, as violations may now trigger both consumer-protection liability and professional licensure sanctions.

New Louisiana Law Allows Professional Licensing Boards to Enforce "Doctor" Advertising Rules

La. R.S. 51:413 requires licensed providers who use the term “Doctor” or “Dr.” in advertising to also identify the degree that entitles them to use the protected title. HB 423, now Act 362 (effective August 1, 2025), expands enforcement mechanisms available under the statute.

Previously, violations were addressed exclusively under the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (LUTPA) (La. R.S. 51:1404, et seq.). LUPTA allows for private action by citizens and state enforcement action by the Louisiana Attorney General.

Act 362 authorizes professional licensing boards to enforce La. R.S. 51:413 through their own rules and disciplinary processes. As a result, a provider who misuses the “Doctor” title in advertising may now face disciplinary sanctions against their license, administrative fines and fees, and mandatory reporting of disciplinary action to the National Practitioner Data Bank.

In conclusion, while the change is narrow in scope, it elevates the potential consequences for misusing the “Doctor” title in advertising. What was previously limited to a consumer-protection concern has now become a potential licensure and disciplinary matter. Licensed healthcare professionals and the organizations that employ them should carefully review advertising practices to ensure compliance, as violations may now trigger both consumer-protection liability and professional licensure sanctions.

New Louisiana Law Allows Professional Licensing Boards to Enforce "Doctor" Advertising Rules

La. R.S. 51:413 requires licensed providers who use the term “Doctor” or “Dr.” in advertising to also identify the degree that entitles them to use the protected title. HB 423, now Act 362 (effective August 1, 2025), expands enforcement mechanisms available under the statute.

Previously, violations were addressed exclusively under the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (LUTPA) (La. R.S. 51:1404, et seq.). LUPTA allows for private action by citizens and state enforcement action by the Louisiana Attorney General.

Act 362 authorizes professional licensing boards to enforce La. R.S. 51:413 through their own rules and disciplinary processes. As a result, a provider who misuses the “Doctor” title in advertising may now face disciplinary sanctions against their license, administrative fines and fees, and mandatory reporting of disciplinary action to the National Practitioner Data Bank.

In conclusion, while the change is narrow in scope, it elevates the potential consequences for misusing the “Doctor” title in advertising. What was previously limited to a consumer-protection concern has now become a potential licensure and disciplinary matter. Licensed healthcare professionals and the organizations that employ them should carefully review advertising practices to ensure compliance, as violations may now trigger both consumer-protection liability and professional licensure sanctions.

New Louisiana Law Allows Professional Licensing Boards to Enforce "Doctor" Advertising Rules

La. R.S. 51:413 requires licensed providers who use the term “Doctor” or “Dr.” in advertising to also identify the degree that entitles them to use the protected title. HB 423, now Act 362 (effective August 1, 2025), expands enforcement mechanisms available under the statute.

Previously, violations were addressed exclusively under the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (LUTPA) (La. R.S. 51:1404, et seq.). LUPTA allows for private action by citizens and state enforcement action by the Louisiana Attorney General.

Act 362 authorizes professional licensing boards to enforce La. R.S. 51:413 through their own rules and disciplinary processes. As a result, a provider who misuses the “Doctor” title in advertising may now face disciplinary sanctions against their license, administrative fines and fees, and mandatory reporting of disciplinary action to the National Practitioner Data Bank.

In conclusion, while the change is narrow in scope, it elevates the potential consequences for misusing the “Doctor” title in advertising. What was previously limited to a consumer-protection concern has now become a potential licensure and disciplinary matter. Licensed healthcare professionals and the organizations that employ them should carefully review advertising practices to ensure compliance, as violations may now trigger both consumer-protection liability and professional licensure sanctions.

New Louisiana Law Allows Professional Licensing Boards to Enforce "Doctor" Advertising Rules

La. R.S. 51:413 requires licensed providers who use the term “Doctor” or “Dr.” in advertising to also identify the degree that entitles them to use the protected title. HB 423, now Act 362 (effective August 1, 2025), expands enforcement mechanisms available under the statute.

Previously, violations were addressed exclusively under the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (LUTPA) (La. R.S. 51:1404, et seq.). LUPTA allows for private action by citizens and state enforcement action by the Louisiana Attorney General.

Act 362 authorizes professional licensing boards to enforce La. R.S. 51:413 through their own rules and disciplinary processes. As a result, a provider who misuses the “Doctor” title in advertising may now face disciplinary sanctions against their license, administrative fines and fees, and mandatory reporting of disciplinary action to the National Practitioner Data Bank.

In conclusion, while the change is narrow in scope, it elevates the potential consequences for misusing the “Doctor” title in advertising. What was previously limited to a consumer-protection concern has now become a potential licensure and disciplinary matter. Licensed healthcare professionals and the organizations that employ them should carefully review advertising practices to ensure compliance, as violations may now trigger both consumer-protection liability and professional licensure sanctions.

New Louisiana Law Allows Professional Licensing Boards to Enforce "Doctor" Advertising Rules

La. R.S. 51:413 requires licensed providers who use the term “Doctor” or “Dr.” in advertising to also identify the degree that entitles them to use the protected title. HB 423, now Act 362 (effective August 1, 2025), expands enforcement mechanisms available under the statute.

Previously, violations were addressed exclusively under the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (LUTPA) (La. R.S. 51:1404, et seq.). LUPTA allows for private action by citizens and state enforcement action by the Louisiana Attorney General.

Act 362 authorizes professional licensing boards to enforce La. R.S. 51:413 through their own rules and disciplinary processes. As a result, a provider who misuses the “Doctor” title in advertising may now face disciplinary sanctions against their license, administrative fines and fees, and mandatory reporting of disciplinary action to the National Practitioner Data Bank.

In conclusion, while the change is narrow in scope, it elevates the potential consequences for misusing the “Doctor” title in advertising. What was previously limited to a consumer-protection concern has now become a potential licensure and disciplinary matter. Licensed healthcare professionals and the organizations that employ them should carefully review advertising practices to ensure compliance, as violations may now trigger both consumer-protection liability and professional licensure sanctions.