2006 Code of Virginia § 54.1-2903 - What constitutes practice

54.1-2903. What constitutes practice.

Any person shall be regarded as practicing the healing arts who actuallyengages in such practice as defined in this chapter, or who opens an officefor such purpose, or who advertises or announces to the public in any mannera readiness to practice or who uses in connection with his name the words orletters "Doctor," "Dr.," "M.D.," "D.O.," "D.P.M.," "D.C.,""Healer," or any other title, word, letter or designation intending todesignate or imply that he is a practitioner of the healing arts or that heis able to heal, cure or relieve those suffering from any injury, deformityor disease. No person regulated under this chapter shall use the title"Doctor" or the abbreviation "Dr." in writing or in advertising inconnection with his practice unless he simultaneously uses a clarifyingtitle, initials, abbreviation or designation or language that identifies thetype of practice for which he is licensed.

Signing a birth or death certificate, or signing any statement certifyingthat the person so signing has rendered professional service to the sick orinjured, or signing or issuing a prescription for drugs or other remedialagents, shall be prima facie evidence that the person signing or issuing suchwriting is practicing the healing arts within the meaning of this chapterexcept where persons other than physicians are required to sign birthcertificates.

(Code 1950, 54-275; 1958, c. 161; 1966, c. 657; 1973, c. 529; 1975, c. 508;1988, c. 765; 1991, c. 102; 1996, cc. 937, 980; 2000, c. 688.)