Can a nurse practitioner call themselves “Doctor”?

Yes — in most states, an APRN who has earned a doctoral degree (DNP, PhD, DNSc, or EdD) may use the title “Dr.” in clinical settings, but only if they immediately clarify their licensure. The correct form is “Dr. Jane Smith, DNP, APRN, Nurse Practitioner.” Using “Dr.” alone in a patient-facing setting is not permitted.

Which states prohibit APRNs from using the title “Dr.”?

California, Delaware, Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas treat “Dr.” as a protected physician title in clinical settings and prohibit its clinical use by APRNs even with clarification. A 2025 federal ruling upheld California’s restriction, citing patient confusion.

What is the difference between a DNP and an MD?

A DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) is a terminal practice doctorate in nursing, focused on advanced clinical practice, evidence translation, and systems leadership. An MD or DO is a medical doctorate followed by residency training. Both are doctoral credentials; they are different professions with different licensure and scope.

Which state’s rules apply in telehealth?

The patient’s state law governs. A provider licensed in multiple states must follow the title rules of the state where the patient is physically located at the time of the visit — not the state where the provider sits.

Does the title change the care I receive?

No. What matters clinically is licensure, scope of practice, training, and prescriptive authority — not the honorific. A PMHNP-BC is board certified to evaluate, diagnose, and treat psychiatric conditions, including prescribing, within their state’s scope.

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Can a Nurse Practitioner Be Called “Dr.”? APRN Doctoral Titles, State by State

Doctoral degrees are earned. Clinical titles are regulated. Here's how the two fit together — state by state.

Christine M. Forge, MSN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C• 7 min read•September 2026

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More Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) than ever hold doctoral degrees — the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), PhD, DNSc, or EdD. Those are legitimate, hard-earned doctorates. But whether a nurse practitioner may introduce themselves as "Dr." in a clinic room is decided by state law, not by the diploma on the wall.

The Quick Answer

In most states, a doctorally-prepared APRN may use "Dr." clinically as long as licensure is stated immediately — for example, "Dr. Christine Forge, DNP, APRN, Nurse Practitioner." A handful of states — California, Delaware, Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas — prohibit clinical use entirely. In telehealth, the patient's state law controls.

Three Categories of State Rules

Allowed

"Dr." permitted clinically, but licensure must be identified immediately so patients are never confused about who is treating them.

Prohibited

"Dr." is reserved for MD/DO in clinical settings and advertising — even with clarification added.

Ambiguous

No explicit statute. Board opinions or attorney general guidance govern — Connecticut, Louisiana, and the District of Columbia fall here.

Florida, Wisconsin, and Nevada

Florida explicitly authorizes APRNs with doctoral degrees to use doctoral titles such as DNP or PhD. What Florida prohibits is advertising as "doctor" without clearly denoting the licensed profession. Violations are a disciplinary matter.

Wisconsin and Nevada both fall in the allowed-with-clarification category: the title may be used, provided the APRN identifies as a nurse practitioner in the same breath.

Because Inspiring Transformations LLC provides telehealth in all three states, the operating rule is simple — follow the law of the state the patient is sitting in.

States That Allow "Dr." With Clarification

ArizonaColoradoFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

These states generally require APRNs to identify themselves as non-physicians immediately when the title is used.

States That Prohibit Clinical Use

CaliforniaDelawareMississippiAlabamaArkansas

California bars APRNs from using "Dr." in clinical settings or advertising unless they are physicians; a 2025 federal ruling upheld the restriction on patient-confusion grounds.

Practical Guidance for APRNs

Always pair the title with licensure: Dr. Christine Forge, DNP, APRN, Nurse Practitioner
Never use “Dr.” alone in a clinical setting
Include licensure on signage, business cards, websites, email signatures, and advertising
In telehealth, follow the patient's state law, not your own
Re-check board guidance periodically — several states have revised rules since 2024

What This Means If You're the Patient

Titles can be confusing, and that's exactly what these laws exist to prevent. What actually determines your care is licensure, board certification, scope of practice, and prescriptive authority. A board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) can evaluate, diagnose, prescribe, and manage psychiatric conditions within their state's scope — and you should always feel free to ask any clinician exactly what their credentials are.

Frequently Asked Questions

Care From a Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner

Christine M. Forge provides psychiatric and family medicine telehealth across Florida, Wisconsin, and Nevada — with clear credentials and unhurried appointments.

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Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. State statutes and board guidance change; verify current requirements with your state board of nursing.

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Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner & Family Nurse Practitioner

Christine provides telehealth psychiatric and family medicine care to patients across Wisconsin, Florida, and Nevada.