§ 5-37-12 — § 5-37-12. Unauthorized practice of medicine.

§ 5-37-12. Unauthorized practice of medicine.

Any person who is not lawfully authorized to practice medicine within this state, and registered according to law, who practices medicine or surgery or attempts to practice medicine or surgery, or any of the branches of medicine or surgery, after having received or with the intent of receiving, either directly or indirectly, any bonus, gift, or compensation, or who opens an office with intent to practice medicine, or holds himself or herself out to the public as a practitioner of medicine, whether by appending to his or her name the title of doctor or any abbreviation, or M.D., or any other title or designation implying a practitioner of medicine, or in any other way, shall be imprisoned not more than three (3) years, or fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or shall suffer both fine and imprisonment; and in no case when any provision of this chapter has been violated shall the person violating these provisions be entitled to receive compensation for services rendered.

Legislative History

G.L. 1896, ch. 165, § 8; P.L. 1901, ch. 926, § 4; G.L. 1909, ch. 193, § 8; G.L. 1923, ch. 159, § 8; P.L. 1927, ch. 1029, § 3; G.L. 1938, ch. 275, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 5-37-12; P.L. 1964, ch. 193, § 1.