APRN Use of “Doctor of Nursing Practice” Credentials in Practice
It has become increasingly common for advanced practice registered nurses (“APRNs”) to obtain a doctorate in nursing practice (“DNP”), rather than only a master’s degree. In Ohio, registered nurses (“RNs”) seeking licensure as an APRN must either obtain a master’s or doctoral degree that qualifies them to take the APRN national certification examination.[1]
A question has been commonly raised amongst those APRNs in Ohio who have a DNP; whether they are permitted to use the term “Dr.,” with the qualification that they are an APRN, when introducing themselves to patients. Unfortunately, this is a grey area in the law. Essentially, there is more risk associated with using the term “Dr.” when providing patient care, but there are also good arguments as to why this should be permissible.
First, Ohio law, as it relates to physicians, states that a person is regarded as practicing medicine when they use the words or letters, Dr./Doctor/M.D., etc. “in connection with the person's name in any way that represents the person as engaged in the practice of medicine, osteopathic medicine and surgery, or podiatric medicine and surgery, in any of its branches.”[2] Furthermore, ORC 4731.41 states that, “No person shall practice medicine and surgery, or any of its branches, without the appropriate license or certificate from the state medical board to engage in the practice. No person shall advertise or claim to the public to be a practitioner of medicine and surgery, or any of its branches, without a license or certificate from the board.”
That being said, the Ohio Board of Nursing explicitly states that APRNs are exempt from the prohibition against practicing medicine or surgery.[3] Further, the law generally states that when an APRN is providing direct patient care, the APRN must display and identify their title.[4] Additionally, other professionals, including psychologists, commonly refer to themselves as “Dr.,” when they hold a doctoral degree.
However, in 2022, an APRN in the State of California was sued for referring to herself as “Dr.”[5] Essentially, in the announcement published by the District Attorney’s Office, while she usually indicated she was an APRN, she didn’t advertise to the public that she was not a medical doctor, and when searching for her online, results did not show that she was an APRN (i.e., results only showed “Dr.” without the APRN designation at the end of her name).[6]
Therefore, while APRNs are technically permitted to engage in clinical practice that would generally be considered the practice of medicine in the State of Ohio, there is still some risk for APRNs to refer to themselves as “Dr.,” particularly when providing patient care, as this may incorrectly indicate to patients that they are a physician rather than an APRN. If an APRN still wishes to use the title “Dr.” due to their DNP degree, they should be sure to qualify themselves as an APRN. For example, “My name is Dr. X, an APRN.” Further, any websites or any other public forum should clearly indicate that they are an APRN.
If you have any questions regarding APRN practice, please don’t hesitate to contact BMD Health Law Group Member Jeana Singleton at jmsingleton@bmdllc.com or 330-253-2001, or BMD Attorney Rachel Stermer at rcstermer@bmdllc.com or 330-253-2019.
[1] Ohio Board of Nursing, APRN Licensure, “Steps to Complete for RNs Applying for APRN Licensure.”
[2] ORC 4731.34(A)(1).
[3] See ORC 4723.151(B).
[4] OAC 4723-8-03; See also Ohio Board of Nursing, APRN Licensure and Practice in Ohio.
[5] District Attorney, County of San Luis Obispo, District Attorney Announces Civil Settlement with Nurse Practitioner for Unlawfully Advertising Herself as “Doctor.”
[6] Id.