Bill would require health‑care 'doctors' to specify their doctorate on badges and in advertising

Representative Cyrus Javidy introduced House Bill 3912, a short bill that would require any person using the title “doctor” in healthcare settings, advertising, social media or on a name badge to include the field of doctorate (for example, “Doctor of Nursing Practice,” “Doctor of Optometry,” or “Doctor of Dental Surgery”) so patients understand the provider’s training.

Why it matters: sponsors said the policy promotes transparency and reduces patient confusion about clinical training and qualifications. “If you're gonna use the title doctor in health care, you also have to say what kind of doctor you are,” Javidy said.

Support and opposition

Courtney Dresser of the Oregon Medical Association said the state’s existing “doctor” title law was created in the pre‑internet era and updating it to cover social media and modern advertising is reasonable. Opposition testimony from Dr. Amanda Hoffman, a naturopathic physician, expressed concern that such rules risk singling out certain practitioner groups and called the bill a potential avenue for discrimination. Hoffman asked that boards’ existing title‑use rules remain respected and cautioned against measures that could marginalize non‑physician doctorate holders.

Committee questions and next steps

Committee members discussed the detail level and technical drafting, including a question raised about proportional font size language that appears in the bill draft (e.g., minimum font sizes and relative sizing in advertisements). Sponsors indicated they would work with affected boards and stakeholders on technical fixes and that the bill’s central aim is clarity rather than taking titles away.

Ending: The hearing closed after brief testimony and questions. Sponsors and opponents signaled a willingness to negotiate technical amendments to address concerns about discrimination and administrative practicality.