Is it permissible to refer to oneself as "Dr. John Smith" in California?

In California, it is important for healthcare professionals, including chiropractors, to accurately represent their credentials to maintain transparency and trust with patients and the public. Referring to oneself simply as "Dr. John Smith" without specifying the degree or qualifications could mislead individuals regarding the nature of the medical expertise being offered.

California law requires healthcare professionals to include their appropriate title or credential when presenting themselves to avoid confusion about their qualifications. This means that simply using "Dr." without specifying whether it’s a medical doctor, chiropractor, or another type of doctor does not meet the legal standards for practice.

Using credentials ensures that patients are fully aware of the type of care they can expect and helps prevent the misrepresentation of qualifications that could arise from ambiguous titles. Hence, it is essential to include the relevant credentials when referring to oneself in a professional healthcare context in California.