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Nurse Practitioners Would Gain Recognition With Salzman Bill On Doctor Titles
January 15, 2026
Legislation filed by State Rep. Michelle Salzman (R-Pensacola) passed the House Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee today, its first stop in the 2026 legislative session. HB 237 would allow Nurse Practitioners (NPs) who have earned doctoral degrees to use the “Doctor” title in clinical practice, aligning Florida with national standards and recognizing the advanced training of these essential healthcare professionals.
The bill permits doctoral-prepared NPs – those with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Ph.D.- to use the title when clearly identifying their professional role. Salzman’s legislation requires that NPs using “Dr.” also state their professional designation to maintain transparency for patients.
“If you’ve earned a doctorate in the medical field, you deserve to say so, just like in any other profession,” Salzman said. “This bill ensures patients understand the training behind their care while offering fairness and recognition to our Nurse Practitioners.”
Other states allow doctoral-level professionals, including pharmacists, physical therapists, audiologists, and psychologists, to use the “Doctor” title in clinical practice when properly identified. HB 237 brings Florida in line with that practice.
The bill promotes patient trust, recognizes rigorous education, and helps recruit and retain highly trained NPs, a growing part of Florida’s healthcare workforce amid physician shortages.
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Comments
7 Responses to “Nurse Practitioners Would Gain Recognition With Salzman Bill On Doctor Titles”
Just another fake doctor title. It’s an embarrassment to all the real doctors who actually care for us day in and day out.
Im kind of surprised that the comments are negative. I can’t for the life of me understand why people are perfectly fine with someone that gets their Doctorate degree in Musical Arts deserves the title Doctor, or a Doctorate degree in education is perfectly fine to go by Doctor due to their Educational level, But somehow the education required to get to the Doctorate Nurse Practioner level dosen’t quality. My Wife is a Nurse Practioner with over 30 years in the Medical field and some how someone with 4 years of Med School deserves the Title. My wife owns her own Primary Care practice and has many of our local Medical Doctors that chose to come to her for their medical care. There is absolutely no lack in the quality of care and no lack in the level of attention her patients get. Good NPs knows their limits and will refer to specialist for care outside their scope of practice.
The term doctor is a title reserved for anyone that holds a doctoral degree regardless of their profession.
This is so stupid. older people in florida will make appointment thinking they are woing to well educated specialist, and will end up with 2 year trained fake doctors.
That a pity.
So if I’m reading this correctly NP’s who have their Doctorate area already calling themselves Dr. and now this will require them to say they are a Dr. of Nursing instead of just Doctor?
@Tres, I agree. We seem to be more worried about what title people have rather than the quality of their education, including the internship, that got them there. If they want to post something on the wall or internet for the public to see, lets start with their college transcripts.
This is bananas.