Mass. Gen. Laws » Part I Title XVI Chapter 112
Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 112, § 8A (2026)

Use of term ''physician'' in title, advertisement, etc.; penalties

✓ current as of July 2026
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Section 8A. No person may, directly or indirectly, use the title ''physician'' or display or use the term physician in any title, advertisement, listing of affiliations, communication with the public or in any other manner to indicate or imply in any way that such person offers to engage or engages in the practice of medicine or in the provision of health care services to patients within the commonwealth who is not registered by the board of registration in medicine as a physician under section 2. This section shall not apply to use of the term ''chiropractic physician'' by individuals licensed and practicing under sections 89 to 97, inclusive, or the use of the term ''podiatric physician'' by individuals licensed and practicing under sections 13 to 22, inclusive, or the use of the term ''physician assistant'' by individuals licensed and practicing under sections 9C to 9K, inclusive. A person who violates this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for not less than 30 days and not more than 1 year in the house of corrections, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases, 2013–2015 · leading case: Ortiz v. Examworks, Inc., 26 N.E.3d 165 (Mass. 2015).
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Ortiz v. Examworks, Inc., 26 N.E.3d 165 (Mass. 2015). · cites it 2× “The complaint alleges violations of G. L. c. 112, § 8A, G. L. c. 93A; §§ 2 and 9; and G.”
In re of C.B., 2013 Mass. App. Div. 42 (Mass. Dist. Ct., App. Div. 2013). “112, §2 (licensure and registration of physicians); G.L.c. 112, §8A (prohibiting use of title “physician” by one not registered with the Board of Registration in Medicine as a physician); G.”
Ortiz v. Mass Med. Servs., Inc., 31 Mass. L. Rptr. 335 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2013). · cites it 3× “90, §34M; G.L.c. 112, §8A; G.L.c. 214, §1B; and G.L.”
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