Present law defines "practice of medicine" for purposes of regulation of medical professionals in this state. The term specifically includes attaching certain words or abbreviations to a name, either alone or in connection with other words or abbreviations indicating or inducing others to believe that the person is engaged in the practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine, such as "Doctor of medicine", "M.D.", "D.O.", and "allergist", among others. This bill adds the following additional words to the current list in present law: "clinical informatics", "lifestyle medicine", or "medical virtualist". ON FEBRUARY 9, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1753, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 clarifies that a person is regarded as practicing medicine or osteopathic medicine, which is prohibited without a license as described in present law, if the person determines, or causes to be determined, whether a treatment or procedure is appropriate for the symptoms and diagnosis of such condition. However, this does not create a private right of action.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 63-6-204(m)(1), 63-6-204