§ 24-5-0.5-12 — False claim of doctoral degree

Indiana § 24-5-0.5-12

• Jurisdiction: Indiana
• Art. 5: CONSUMER SALES
• Ch. 0.5: Deceptive Consumer Sales

Text

(a) It is an incurable deceptive act for an
individual, while soliciting or performing a consumer transaction, to
claim, either orally or in writing, to possess a doctorate degree or use
a title, a word, letters, an insignia, or an abbreviation associated with
a doctorate degree, unless the individual:
(1) has been awarded a doctorate degree from an institution that
is:
(A) accredited by a regional or professional accrediting agency
recognized by the United States Department of Education or the
Council on Postsecondary Accreditation;
(B) a religious seminary, institute, college, or university whose
certificates, diplomas, or degrees clearly identify the religious
character of the educational program; or
(C) operated and supported by a governmental agency; or
(2) meets the requirements approved by one (1) of the following
boards:
(A) Medical licensing board of Indiana.
(B) State board of dental examiners.
(C) Indiana optometry board.
(D) Board of podiatric medicine.
(E) State psychology board.
(F) Board of chiropractic examiners.
(G) Indiana board of veterinary medicine.
(H) Indiana board of pharmacy.
(I) Indiana state board of nursing.
(b) It is an incurable deceptive act for an individual, while soliciting
or performing a consumer transaction, to claim to be a:
(1) physician unless the individual holds an unlimited license to
practice medicine under IC 25-22.5;
(2) chiropractic physician unless the individual holds a license as
a chiropractor under IC 25-10-1; or
(3) podiatric physician unless the individual holds a license as a
podiatrist under IC 25-29.
(c) The attorney general shall enforce this section in the same
manner as any other incurable deceptive act under this chapter.

Legislative History

As added by P.L.175-1997, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.246-1999, SEC.1; P.L.12-2000, SEC.1; P.L.48-2022, SEC.4.