Current resident, name change/licensing question

[ziggyd0c]

Hi all,

I have been scouring the internet about this for a long time but haven't been able to exactly find an answer to my question.

I'm a current resident in CA. I got married in between intern and PGY-2 year. I'm currently licensed as Dr. Maidenname. I want to continue practicing as Dr. Maidenname, but I want to change my name legally to Mrs. Hisname.

The medical board told me that this isn't a problem. In CA, the requirement is that you practice under the same name listed on your medical license, which I am currently doing. However, I'm wondering if this will present a problem later on. For instance, I don't have a DEA license yet. Will having a different name on my medical license and drivers license present a problem? Will this be an issue if I later move out of state?

I'm interested to hear from people who have done this. I appreciate any help!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[gutonc]

Why not just introduce yourself in personal situations as Dr./Mrs. Hisname and leave everything else the way it is? Easiest, cheapest and least stressful approach.

Otherwise just make the change across the board and get it over with. You're not the first person to do so and you won't be the last.

BTW, this has been hashed out roughly a hojillion times on this board alone and there is no "right" answer.

 

[ziggyd0c]

I know that those are options. I'm asking for advice for specifically the situation that I posted; I want to legally be Mrs. Hisname and practice as Dr. Maidenname. It may not be possible, I just want to hear from people who have done it.

 

[gutonc]

I know that those are options. I'm asking for advice for specifically the situation that I posted; I want to legally be Mrs. Hisname and practice as Dr. Maidenname. It may not be possible, I just want to hear from people who have done it.

It's not possible. If you legally change your name you need to change it on all your legal documents. Your medical license is as (more?) important than your driver's license (you can Uber yourself to work without a DL, you can't work without a medical license). So pick a name and go all in.

 

[ziggyd0c]

It is possible. The medical board of CA told me that it is perfectly legal to practice under one name professionally (the name on my medical license) which is different from my legal name. My question is regarding issues later on with other agencies or states. Mainly I just want to hear opinions from people who have done this.

 

[smq123]

I have not done this personally (no plans on getting married, cohabitation forever!), but having sat on my clinic's credentialing committee, this is kind of a logistical nightmare. My biggest worry is that you are putting yourself at risk for not getting credentialed with insurance companies, which could affect how/if/when you get paid. You could probably get around it, but it might be hard to prove that you are who you say you are when your medical license and your photo ID have differing names. The Board of Medicine might not care, but insurance companies usually do (any excuse not to pay you).

 

[gutonc]

It is possible. The medical board of CA told me that it is perfectly legal to practice under one name professionally (the name on my medical license) which is different from my legal name. My question is regarding issues later on with other agencies or states. Mainly I just want to hear opinions from people who have done this.

I didn't say it wasn't possible. I just said it was stupid.

 

[ziggyd0c]

I didn't say it wasn't possible. I just said it was stupid.

You did say it wasn't possible, 3 posts up. Regardless, this is rude and does not contribute to the thread.

Thank you smq123 for posting a legitimately helpful response.

 

[Carlin]

There is a middle-aged ER physician at my hospital who does this. She seems to have had a very successful career thus far. I do not know any of the specifics of her situation but she prescribes narcotics regularly so I assume she has a DEA number. We are not in California, so I cannot speak to any regulations in your state, but it seems entirely feasible to me.

 

[gutonc]

You did say it wasn't possible, 3 posts up. Regardless, this is rude and does not contribute to the thread.

Thank you smq123 for posting a legitimately helpful response.

Touche.

But seriously. Pick a name and run with it.

Whether or not the CA medical board thinks it's OK, you've got about a thousand other entities to deal with after you finish training. Including other state medical boards that may not agree with CA. Make things easier on yourself. Choose a name you want and move on.

 

[PTPoeny]

I work with several attendings who legally are firstname maidenname-hislastname and go by Dr. Maidenname professionally but socially by Mrs. Hislastname and it avoids some off the problems described above because all your legal documents have both last names on them. I know it isn't exactly what you were asking but I have seen it work for several women.

 

[hamstergang]

It may not be possible

It is possible.

It's not possible.

I didn't say it wasn't possible.

What a strange thread.

OP, is there a reason you want this hassle?

 

[J ROD]

Don't let a name define who you are. Lol

 

[QofQuimica]

If he's not a doc, have him change his name to yours. 😀

All kidding aside, I like mdpdgirl's suggestion: legally change your name to include both names (i.e. use your name as a middle name and his name as your new last name or vice versa, or you could also hyphenate the two names if that's not too cumbersome). That way both names will be on all legal documents and there won't be an issue.

 

[ziggyd0c]

If he's not a doc, have him change his name to yours. 😀

All kidding aside, I like mdpdgirl's suggestion: legally change your name to include both names (i.e. use your name as a middle name and his name as your new last name or vice versa, or you could also hyphenate the two names if that's not too cumbersome). That way both names will be on all legal documents and there won't be an issue.

I like that idea too... I'll look into it, though it may require a more involved process than just changing my last name using the marriage certificate.

The reason why I want it this way is because my husband and I want our names to be the same, especially when we have kids. However I want to keep practicing under my maiden name out of respect to my dad, who shares my name and is also a physician, and loves the fact that I'm "Dr. Maidenname". Yes, it sort of makes me want to tear my hair out, but I'm trying to find the solution that makes everyone happy.

 

[smq123]

I like that idea too... I'll look into it, though it may require a more involved process than just changing my last name using the marriage certificate.

The reason why I want it this way is because my husband and I want our names to be the same, especially when we have kids. However I want to keep practicing under my maiden name out of respect to my dad, who shares my name and is also a physician, and loves the fact that I'm "Dr. Maidenname". Yes, it sort of makes me want to tear my hair out, but I'm trying to find the solution that makes everyone happy.

Whichever arrangement you choose, it's your choice, but stick with it. If you switch, and decide to practice under your married name, you'll have to re-credential with everyone. The only time that it will make sense to switch will be between jobs.