What to know about… using the title Doctor of Chiropractic.

Although less than 25% of UK registrants use the title “Dr”, we still regularly receive enquiries from patients and the public concerned about chiropractors using the prefix.

With changes in the new Code of Professional Practice requiring you to be clear that you are regulated; and a fresh batch of graduate chiropractors joining the profession for the first time; it seemed like a good time to revisit the background to the courtesy title, and highlight the pitfalls to avoid if you choose to use it.

In the UK, whilst the term “Doctor” (as generally understood by the public) refers to a medically qualified doctor registered with the General Medical Council (GMC), it can also refer to a person who has an advanced academic degree (PhD) in any subject (not necessarily a medical qualification) and it can be used as a courtesy title by some statutorily regulated healthcare professions including Veterinary surgeons, Dentists and (of course) Chiropractors.

The recent public debate about the role of Physician Associates; the diversification of healthcare roles; and public awareness of medical misinformation from social media influencers styling themselves as “Dr” or “Nurse”; has brought the subject of medical titles to the fore. The government is planning to protect the title “nurse” and patients are much more savvy about who is providing their care.

If you use the courtesy title "Doctor" or "Dr" you must make clear within all public domain text that you are not a registered medical practitioner, but a "Doctor of Chiropractic".

This is because it is illegal to use the title “Dr” to suggest you are medically qualified (Medical Act 1983), so patients must be clear that chiropractic is a healthcare qualification, not a medical one.

The ASA has taken a very tough line on individuals calls themselves “Doctor” in the context of health, stating:

The safest and simplest way to avoid confusing consumers is that if they do not possess a general medical qualification, advertisers should not call themselves “Dr”.

The ASA has also ruled (in a case referred by the GCC) that a person that is not registered with the GCC is not permitted to use the courtesy title of “Doctor of Chiropractic” as this would imply that they are a registered chiropractor or a medical practitioner.

The Advertising Standards Authority has issued specific guidance for chiropractors who wish to use the courtesy title Doctor or Dr.

The below is our current understanding of the ASA expectations, but this should not be considered as legal advice, does not constitute GCC or ASA guidance and is not binding on the ASA, GCC or its committees in any further action that may arise.

When written:

The prefix “Dr” should immediately be qualified as “Doctor of Chiropractic” at the first use. It should be requalified regularly (particularly if the text is likely to be seen or quoted out of the original context). To be absolutely sure you may wish to qualify it every time. The suffix “DC” or “DoC” (as an abbreviation for "Doctor of Chiropractic") is not publicly recognised enough to be used on its own.

Likely to be acceptable	Likely to be unacceptable (particularly at first use)
Dr Jane Smith DC (Doctor of Chiropractic) Doctor of Chiropractic, Jane Smith, Dr Jane Smith is a Doctor of Chiropractic Jane Smith (DC) (without the “Dr” prefix, the DC does not need to be explained)	Dr Jane Smith Dr Jane Dr Jane Smith (DC)

The most common places for mistakes to arise include social media (the guidance applies to usernames and biographies as well as in each individual post), webpages (an explanation in the website footer is not likely to be enough on its own) and in email signatures/sign offs.

Include your surname!

Some clinic websites have started referring to chiropractors as “Dr (firstname)” throughout. Even if the title is qualified properly, without a surname to search for (or a link to a GCC record) this approach makes it very difficult for patients to confirm who is a registered chiropractor. This approach is unlikely to meet Standard C3 of the Code of Professional Practice (2026), which requires you to be clear with patients that you are registered with the GCC.

Don't forget that anyone you employ to do social media or create content on your behalf must also follow the rules:

The ASA also recommends that chiropractors clearly and prominently qualify the use of the courtesy title with a statement that it is a courtesy title and that a general medical qualification is not held. You may also like to link to the relevant patient FAQ on the GCC website.

The ASA does not cover in-person interactions. However, when introducing yourself in person, or referring to another chiropractor as “Dr” to a patient, you should take care not to mislead the patient into thinking you are a medical doctor.

You must also be clear with patients who with patients who is, and is not, a registered chiropractor.

While you don’t have to do this verbally, (for instance you could display your registration certificate in the reception area, or use the I’m Registered Logo on your website), you might like to include it in your standard introduction. Following the example of #HelloMyNameIs (the campaign started by Dr Kate Granger MBE - a terminally ill doctor - to encourage more person-centred, compassionate care), you could say:

“Hello, my name is Dr Jane Smith, I am a fully qualified chiropractor, registered with the General Chiropractic Council, and so I am allowed to use the courtesy title of “Doctor of Chiropractic”. I am not a medical doctor, but will work with your GP and other medical and health professionals in the best interests of you and your health and wellbeing. Please call me Jane. What would you like me to call you?”

Research from the US on the use of the courtesy title “Doctor of Physiotherapy” by physiotherapists found that both those who used the title, and those who did not, commonly cited the impact on therapeutic alliance as their justification for using it!

The decision to use the title is ultimately a personal one. And both groups in the study agreed that using the title would impact their professional relationship with patients, colleagues and other healthcare providers – so if you are considering it, you should reflect on what those impacts might be and how that will affect your practice.

While some believe patients are more likely to trust someone using the prefix “Dr”, others believe it creates a medical expectation in the patient that may not fit with their individual practice.

Using the Dr prefix may bring increased scrutiny from patients, members of the public and activists who are not aware of the existence of the courtesy title, and it will undoubtedly add complexity to your administration of social media, websites and advertising to ensure continued compliance.