{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/54.1-2903.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/54.1-2903.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/54.1-2903.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/54.1-2903.html"}],"law_id":64698,"edition_id":1,"section_id":64698,"structure_id":13730,"section_number":"54.1-2903","catch_line":"What constitutes practice; advertising in connection with medical practice","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 54-275; 1958, c. 161; 1966, c. 657; 1973, c. 529; 1975, c. 508; 1988, c. 765; 1991, c. 102; 1996, cc. 937, 980; 2000, c. 688; 2018, c. 776; 2019, c. 656; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 227, 228; 2023, cc. 740, 773.","full_text":"A\n\nAny person shall be regarded as practicing the healing arts who actually engages in such practice as defined in this chapter, or who opens an office for such purpose, or who advertises or announces to the public in any manner a readiness to practice or who uses in connection with his name the words or letters “Doctor,” “Dr.,” “M.D.,” “D.O.,” “D.P.M.,” “D.C.,” “Healer,” “N.P.,” or any other title, word, letter or designation intending to designate or imply that he is a practitioner of the healing arts or that he is able to heal, cure or relieve those suffering from any injury, deformity or disease.\n\t\t\tSigning a birth or death certificate, or signing any statement certifying that the person so signing has rendered professional service to the sick or injured, or signing or issuing a prescription for drugs or other remedial agents, shall be prima facie evidence that the person signing or issuing such writing is practicing the healing arts within the meaning of this chapter except where persons other than physicians are required to sign birth certificates.B\n\nNo person regulated under this chapter shall use the title “Doctor” or the abbreviation “Dr.” in writing or in advertising in connection with his practice unless he simultaneously uses words, initials, an abbreviation or designation, or other language that identifies the type of practice for which he is licensed. No person regulated under this chapter shall include in any advertisement a reference to marijuana, as defined in § 18.2-247, unless such advertisement is for the treatment of addiction or substance abuse. However, nothing in this subsection shall prevent a person from including in any advertisement that such person is registered with the Board of Directors of the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority to issue written certifications for the use of cannabis products, as defined in § 4.1-1600.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":235458,"text":"Any person shall be regarded as practicing the healing arts who actually engages in such practice as defined in this chapter, or who opens an office for such purpose, or who advertises or announces to the public in any manner a readiness to practice or who uses in connection with his name the words or letters “Doctor,” “Dr.,” “M.D.,” “D.O.,” “D.P.M.,” “D.C.,” “Healer,” “N.P.,” or any other title, word, letter or designation intending to designate or imply that he is a practitioner of the healing arts or that he is able to heal, cure or relieve those suffering from any injury, deformity or disease.\n\t\t\tSigning a birth or death certificate, or signing any statement certifying that the person so signing has rendered professional service to the sick or injured, or signing or issuing a prescription for drugs or other remedial agents, shall be prima facie evidence that the person signing or issuing such writing is practicing the healing arts within the meaning of this chapter except where persons other than physicians are required to sign birth certificates.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":235459,"text":"No person regulated under this chapter shall use the title “Doctor” or the abbreviation “Dr.” in writing or in advertising in connection with his practice unless he simultaneously uses words, initials, an abbreviation or designation, or other language that identifies the type of practice for which he is licensed. No person regulated under this chapter shall include in any advertisement a reference to marijuana, as defined in § 18.2-247, unless such advertisement is for the treatment of addiction or substance abuse. However, nothing in this subsection shall prevent a person from including in any advertisement that such person is registered with the Board of Directors of the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority to issue written certifications for the use of cannabis products, as defined in § 4.1-1600.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13730,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12759,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:43","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:43","permalink":{"id":241935,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13730,"identifier":"1","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/1","url":"\/54.1\/III\/29\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12759,"edition_id":1,"name":"Medicine and Other Healing Arts","identifier":"29","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12758,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":241933,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12759,"identifier":"29","token":"54.1\/III\/29","url":"\/54.1\/III\/29\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12758,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12754,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":241105,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12758,"identifier":"III","token":"54.1\/III","url":"\/54.1\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12754,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations","identifier":"54.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":239313,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12754,"identifier":"54.1","token":"54.1","url":"\/54.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":63078,"structure_id":13730,"section_number":"54.1-2900","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/54.1-2900\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/1\/54.1-2900","metadata":false},{"id":83528,"structure_id":13730,"section_number":"54.1-2901","catch_line":"Exceptions and exemptions generally","url":"\/54.1-2901\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/1\/54.1-2901","metadata":false},{"id":59538,"structure_id":13730,"section_number":"54.1-2902","catch_line":"Unlawful to practice without license","url":"\/54.1-2902\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/1\/54.1-2902","metadata":false},{"id":64698,"structure_id":13730,"section_number":"54.1-2903","catch_line":"What constitutes practice; advertising in connection with medical practice","url":"\/54.1-2903\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/1\/54.1-2903","metadata":false},{"id":79048,"structure_id":13730,"section_number":"54.1-2904","catch_line":"Biennial renewal of licenses; copies; fee; lapsed licenses; reinstatement; penalties","url":"\/54.1-2904\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/1\/54.1-2904","metadata":false},{"id":62466,"structure_id":13730,"section_number":"54.1-2905","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-2905\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/1\/54.1-2905","metadata":false},{"id":80090,"structure_id":13730,"section_number":"54.1-2906","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-2906\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/1\/54.1-2906","metadata":false},{"id":77034,"structure_id":13730,"section_number":"54.1-2908","catch_line":"Reports of disciplinary action against health professionals; immunity from liability; civil penalty","url":"\/54.1-2908\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/1\/54.1-2908","metadata":false},{"id":86961,"structure_id":13730,"section_number":"54.1-2909","catch_line":"Further reporting requirements; civil penalty; disciplinary action","url":"\/54.1-2909\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/1\/54.1-2909","metadata":false},{"id":58482,"structure_id":13730,"section_number":"54.1-2910","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-2910\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/1\/54.1-2910","metadata":false},{"id":56508,"structure_id":13730,"section_number":"54.1-2910.01","catch_line":"Practitioner information provided to patients","url":"\/54.1-2910.01\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/1\/54.1-2910.01","metadata":false},{"id":65429,"structure_id":13730,"section_number":"54.1-2910.1","catch_line":"Certain data required","url":"\/54.1-2910.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/1\/54.1-2910.1","metadata":false},{"id":79576,"structure_id":13730,"section_number":"54.1-2910.2","catch_line":"Posting of disciplinary information","url":"\/54.1-2910.2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/1\/54.1-2910.2","metadata":false},{"id":71219,"structure_id":13730,"section_number":"54.1-2910.3","catch_line":"No requirement to participate in third-party reimbursement programs","url":"\/54.1-2910.3\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/1\/54.1-2910.3","metadata":false},{"id":83500,"structure_id":13730,"section_number":"54.1-2910.3:1","catch_line":"Medicaid recipients; treatment involving prescription of opioids; payment","url":"\/54.1-2910.3_1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/1\/54.1-2910.3_1","metadata":false},{"id":60811,"structure_id":13730,"section_number":"54.1-2910.4","catch_line":"Health record retention","url":"\/54.1-2910.4\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/1\/54.1-2910.4","metadata":false},{"id":54729,"structure_id":13730,"section_number":"54.1-2910.5","catch_line":"Pediatric sexual assault patient services; requirements","url":"\/54.1-2910.5\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/1\/54.1-2910.5","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":59538,"structure_id":13730,"section_number":"54.1-2902","catch_line":"Unlawful to practice without license","url":"\/54.1-2902\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/1\/54.1-2902","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":79048,"structure_id":13730,"section_number":"54.1-2904","catch_line":"Biennial renewal of licenses; copies; fee; lapsed licenses; reinstatement; penalties","url":"\/54.1-2904\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/1\/54.1-2904","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-2903\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 11 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1958, chapter 161; in 1966, chapter 657; in 1973, chapter 529; in 1975, chapter 508; in 1988, chapter 765; in 1991, chapter 102; in 1996, chapters 937<\/a> and 980<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 688<\/a>; in 2018, chapter 776<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 656<\/a>; in 2023, chapters 740<\/a> and 773<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":85126,"section_number":"18.2-67.3","catch_line":"Aggravated sexual battery; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-67.3\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":84070,"section_number":"18.2-247","catch_line":"Use of terms \"controlled substances,\" \"marijuana,\" \"Schedules I, II, III, IV, V, and VI,\" \"imitation controlled substance,\" and \"counterfeit controlled substance\" in Title 18.2","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-247\/"},{"id":58467,"section_number":"4.1-1600","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/4.1-1600\/"}],"permalink":{"id":241949,"object_type":"law","relational_id":64698,"identifier":"54.1-2903","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/1\/54.1-2903","url":"\/54.1-2903\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-2903\/","token":"54.1\/III\/29\/1\/54.1-2903","dublin_core":{"Title":"What constitutes practice; advertising in connection with medical practice","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-2903","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Any person shall be regarded as practicing the healing arts<\/span> who actually engages in such practice as defined in this chapter, or who opens an office for such purpose, or who advertises or announces to the public in any manner a readiness to practice or who uses in connection with his name the words or letters “Doctor<\/span>,” “Dr.,” “M.D.,” “D.O.,” “D.P.M.,” “D.C.,” “Healer,” “N.P.,” or any other title, word, letter or designation intending to designate or imply that he is a practitioner of the healing arts<\/span> or that he is able to heal, cure or relieve those suffering from any injury, deformity or disease.\n\t\t\tSigning a birth or death certificate, or signing any statement certifying that the person so signing has rendered professional service to the sick or injured, or signing or issuing a prescription for drugs or other remedial agents, shall be prima facie evidence<\/span> that the person signing or issuing such writing is practicing the healing arts<\/span> within the meaning of this chapter except where persons other than physicians are required to sign birth certificates. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> No person regulated under this chapter shall use the title “Doctor<\/span>” or the abbreviation “Dr.” in writing or in advertising in connection with his practice unless he simultaneously uses words, initials, an abbreviation or designation, or other language that identifies the type of practice for which he is licensed. No person regulated under this chapter shall include in any advertisement a reference to marijuana, as defined in § 18.2-247<\/a>, unless such advertisement is for the treatment of addiction or substance abuse. However, nothing in this subsection shall prevent a person from including in any advertisement that such person is registered with the Board<\/span> of Directors of the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority to issue<\/span> written certifications for the use of cannabis products, as defined in § 4.1-1600<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nWHAT CONSTITUTES PRACTICE; ADVERTISING IN CONNECTION WITH MEDICAL PRACTICE (\u00a7\n54.1-2903)\n\nA. Any person shall be regarded as practicing the healing arts who actually\nengages in such practice as defined in this chapter, or who opens an office for\nsuch purpose, or who advertises or announces to the public in any manner a\nreadiness to practice or who uses in connection with his name the words or\nletters “Doctor,” “Dr.,” “M.D.,”\n“D.O.,” “D.P.M.,” “D.C.,”\n“Healer,” “N.P.,” or any other title, word, letter or\ndesignation intending to designate or imply that he is a practitioner of the\nhealing arts or that he is able to heal, cure or relieve those suffering from\nany injury, deformity or disease.\n\t\t\tSigning a birth or death certificate, or signing any statement certifying\nthat the person so signing has rendered professional service to the sick or\ninjured, or signing or issuing a prescription for drugs or other remedial\nagents, shall be prima facie evidence that the person signing or issuing such\nwriting is practicing the healing arts within the meaning of this chapter except\nwhere persons other than physicians are required to sign birth certificates.\n\nB. No person regulated under this chapter shall use the title\n“Doctor” or the abbreviation “Dr.” in writing or in\nadvertising in connection with his practice unless he simultaneously uses words,\ninitials, an abbreviation or designation, or other language that identifies the\ntype of practice for which he is licensed. No person regulated under this\nchapter shall include in any advertisement a reference to marijuana, as defined\nin § 18.2-247, unless such advertisement is for the treatment of addiction\nor substance abuse. However, nothing in this subsection shall prevent a person\nfrom including in any advertisement that such person is registered with the\nBoard of Directors of the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority to issue written\ncertifications for the use of cannabis products, as defined in § 4.1-1600.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 54-275; 1958, c. 161; 1966, c. 657; 1973, c. 529; 1975,\nc. 508; 1988, c. 765; 1991, c. 102; 1996, cc. 937, 980; 2000, c. 688; 2018, c.\n776; 2019, c. 656; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 227, 228; 2023, cc. 740, 773.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}