Specialty Certifications and Requiring the “D.C.”

This is a continuation of Adrienne Hersh's 2013 Article, "Legal Advertising"

The Department has investigated cases involving the advertising of chiropractic specialties.  This is a tricky area and a "red flag” for investigation.  It is tricky because it is not always easy to analyze whether the statement is truthful, i.e., you may truthfully state that you are a certified by an actual "board” that issues a "specialty” designation, but if it is not a professionally recognized board, the Department will still consider it misleading to the public because it implies advanced training.  It is a "red flag” because you are likely to raise the attention of competitors or other types of physicians, who may file complaints with the Department.  This is not to say that doctors may not advertise accredited, recognized specialties.  However, if you intend to use a specialty designation, be prepared to document that it was obtained through an accredited, post-graduate training program, preferably recognized by the American Chiropractic Association.