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Advertising and Specialty Credentials

Disclaimer: Law, rules and regulations, not Guidelines, specify the requirements for practice and violating them constitutes professional misconduct. Not adhering to this Guideline may be interpreted as professional misconduct only if the conduct also violates pertinent law, rules and regulations.

  • No one except licensed podiatrists may advertise that they are providing podiatry services or use the title "podiatrist."
  • In order to use a specialty title in the name of a professional corporation or in an advertisement, you must be able to present evidence of such certification. When private certification does not exist, other titles may be used if they are not false, fraudulent, deceptive or misleading.
  • A graduate of a podiatric medical program receives the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree. Although you can include your academic degree as part of your signature, the designation DPM is not restricted to New York licensees.
  • If you use the title "Doctor" when offering to perform professional services, you must indicate the profession in which you hold a doctorate.
  • The use of the title "physician" is restricted to individuals licensed as an allopathic or osteopathic physician (M.D. or O.D.).
  • A licensed and registered podiatrist may perform activities that do not require a license. However, if you use your license to suggest that you are more qualified than an unlicensed person providing similar services, you may face charges of misconduct for unlawful advertising. If you are providing services that do not require licensure, and you are not providing any services that fall within the scope of practice of podiatry, you may choose to inactivate your professional license to avoid confusion. Please contact the State Board for Podiatry for more information.

Citations of Pertinent Law, Rules or Regulations:

  • Education Law, section 6503 - practice of a profession
  • Education Law, section 6509(9) - definitions of professional conduct
  • Regents Rules, part 29.1(b)(12)(I)(a) - unprofessional conduct
  • Regents Rules, part 29.1(b)(12)(I)(d) and (f) - unprofessional conduct
  • Regents Rules, part 29.2(a)(4) - unprofessional conduct for health professions