License revoked, can you still refer to yourself as "doctor"

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a768678

a768678

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If your license to practice medicine has been revoked by the state medical board due to criminal violations can you still refer to yourself as "Dr. John" for example? Not in the clinical setting of course, but say somebody calls you and you answer "Hello this is Dr. John" is that legal? Talking about the state of AZ, I know its not legal in California. Even though the license has been revoked that person still has earned a "doctorate" so thus in non clinical settings be referred to as "Dr" just like PhD holders? Or no?
 
Not me, but I am about to do business with a guy who refers to himself as "Dr. Blank", he was a DO who had his license revoked many years ago for crimes he committed on patients.....of course major character flaw but I am curious to know if he can still call himself a Dr. outside of the clinical setting legally
 
a768678 said:
Not me, but I am about to do business with a guy who refers to himself as "Dr. Blank", he was a DO who had his license revoked many years ago for crimes he committed on patients.....of course major character flaw but I am curious to know if he can still call himself a Dr. outside of the clinical setting legally
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Even better, what business would you do with a convicted criminal? And what was the crime
 
Planktonmd said:
Your education makes you a Doctor not the state medical board.
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OK so in your opinion it "would" be acceptable for this person to call himself "Dr. Blank"?
 
Planktonmd said:
Absolutely! The state can prevent you from practicing medicine but they can't dictate what people can call you, you can call yourself whatever you want!
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Sure they can, in a lot of states a layperson cannot call themselves "Dr. Blank" without actually having a degree/credential to back it up, that would be considered fraud. BUT the gray area is if you have a MD "degree" but can't possibly become a licensed physician, are you still "Dr. Blank." Maybe you are joking here, I can't tell.
 
a768678 said:
Sure they can, in a lot of states a layperson cannot call themselves "Dr. Blank" without actually having a degree/credential to back it up, that would be considered fraud. BUT the gray area is if you have a MD "degree" but can't possibly become a licensed physician, are you still "Dr. Blank." Maybe you are joking here, I can't tell.
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whats the point to this?
 
Remember in Seinfeld when the guy from "better call Saul" couldn't pass his boards until Elaine stopped having sex with him? "I call him Doctor"
image.png
 
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a768678 said:
Not me, but I am about to do business with a guy who refers to himself as "Dr. Blank", he was a DO who had his license revoked many years ago for crimes he committed on patients.....of course major character flaw but I am curious to know if he can still call himself a Dr. outside of the clinical setting legally
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Victor_von_Doom_(Earth-616)_from_Thor_Vol_1_600.jpg

*actual picture of future business partner
 
I think the point is that, yes, you can call yourself whatever you want, but you might end up making yourself look foolish, or worse, deceitful.

People who are really secure in their identity don't usually care about stuff like that.
 
There's PhDs and DNPs and pharmacists and even physical therapists who like to introduce themselves as Doctor. Whatever dude. If that floats your boat, go for it.
 
a768678 said:
Sure they can, in a lot of states a layperson cannot call themselves "Dr. Blank" without actually having a degree/credential to back it up, that would be considered fraud. BUT the gray area is if you have a MD "degree" but can't possibly become a licensed physician, are you still "Dr. Blank." Maybe you are joking here, I can't tell.
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I believe this is incorrect. Some states (I think) have statutes that prevent a person from representing themselves as a physician to a patient in a so called doctor/patient relationship if they are not a physician (or podiatrist or chiropractor or dentist or whatever else falls in the list).

I do not believe any state has any ability to deny someone the ability to call themselves doctor in a non-clinical setting.
 
Guess the lesson learned is that our respect for a title is related to the reality of how it was earned. You don't get to assume the respect without going through the fire.

And most people with any sense can see right through a faker.
 
repititionition said:
Wait, isn't this our whole issue with the DNP truth in titles laws?
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Different issues.

This hypothetical and definitely-totally-not-the-OP person with a revoked license isn't going to be in a clinical setting at all.

DNPs can't call themselves "doctor" in clinical settings.

DNPs can call themselves doctor at parties and the law doesn't need to get involved. They can even pick Dr instead of Mr or Mrs on their magazine subscription address labels. And so can the OP, er, I mean, someone with a revoked medical license. I leave it to the reader to decide who is more lame for doing so, but it's not a legal problem. The degree confers the title, not licensing or credentialing.
 
pgg said:
Different issues.

This hypothetical and definitely-totally-not-the-OP person with a revoked license isn't going to be in a clinical setting at all.

DNPs can't call themselves "doctor" in clinical settings.

DNPs can call themselves doctor at parties and the law doesn't need to get involved. They can even pick Dr instead of Mr or Mrs on their magazine subscription address labels. And so can the OP, er, I mean, someone with a revoked medical license. I leave it to the reader to decide who is more lame for doing so, but it's not a legal problem. The degree confers the title, not licensing or credentialing.
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Great point.
 
pgg said:
Different issues.

This hypothetical and definitely-totally-not-the-OP person with a revoked license isn't going to be in a clinical setting at all.
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PGG hit it on the spot. If Dr Dre wants people to call him doctor, fine by me. If Dr Dre opens up a pain clinic and wants to do epidural steroid injections because people call him doctor, not fine by me.

Although it would be damn entertaining to see.
 
Personally, I think it's similar to the military. When a General retires they still refer to him a "General". We still call retired Doctors by title, at least I do, and I'm sure those retired guys/gals aren't maintaining a license.

It's like what everyone is saying, the degree on your wall is why people call you Doctor, not the fee you pay to state boards.
 
Twiggidy said:
Personally, I think it's similar to the military. When a General retires they still refer to him a "General". We still call retired Doctors by title, at least I do, and I'm sure those retired guys/gals aren't maintaining a license.

It's like what everyone is saying, the degree on your wall is why people call you Doctor, not the fee you pay to state boards.
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Even if the general has been discharged dishonorably? 😉
 
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