FL S0172

Prohibits health care practitioners not licensed as physicians or osteopathic physicians from using specific medical specialist titles and designations (e.g., surgeon, cardiologist, dermatologist, psychiatrist), with unauthorized use constituting the unlicensed practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine.

Enumerates 34 protected specialist titles—including surgeon, anesthesiologist, neurologist, oncologist, pediatrician, radiologist, and urologist—that only physicians and osteopathic physicians with formal board certification from an approved recognizing agency may use.

Authorizes the Florida Department of Health to issue cease and desist notices and pursue other enforcement remedies against licensed health care practitioners who violate the specialty title restrictions.

Provides exceptions allowing chiropractors, podiatric physicians, dentists, anesthesiologist assistants, and certified registered nurse anesthetists to use specific titles authorized under their respective practice acts, and permits practitioners to describe themselves using a standardized format identifying their profession and specialty area.

Grants the Board of Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic Medicine authority to adopt rules adding additional protected specialist titles beyond those enumerated in the statute, with an effective date of July 1, 2025.