Compliance Focus: Name Badges and Other Name Requirements

[Editor’s Note: Two powerful compliance training opportunities are right around the corner at www.illinoiscme.com. On August 19, 2025, join our live webinar to uncover the compliance requirements that every doctor and staff member should have on their radar, and see exactly how Statusfi can help you track and complete them with confidence. Then, on Friday evening, October 3, 2025, at our ICS Fall Conference in Naperville, the ICS is hosting a 3-hour hands-on workshop – bring your laptop and dive into often-overlooked compliance requirements. You will learn how to track and complete them using Statusfi, and you will leave with ready-to-use work product built specifically for your practice.]

All Illinois chiropractic physicians and staff must follow specific identification and name display requirements to ensure transparency and compliance with state regulations. Examples include wearing appropriate name badges and displaying licenses in a visible location.

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This article is part of the Illinois Chiropractic Society’s monthly effort to help doctors reduce compliance risk and protect their practices. These requirements are tracked in Statusfi, the free compliance dashboard for ICS members at my.statusfidashboard.com.

What It Is:

Illinois law requires that all office staff involved in patient care, including chiropractic physicians, other licensed health care providers, non-licensed assistants, wear visible identification, such as a badge or embroidered clothing, displaying their name and professional designation. This requirement also extends to the representation of staff names and credentials in marketing materials, signage, and practice websites. Additionally, licenses for all Illinois-licensed staff must be displayed prominently within the office. These rules are designed to ensure patients clearly understand who is providing their care and each team member’s professional qualifications.

Why It Matters:

Failure to comply with these identification requirements can lead to regulatory scrutiny, fines, or patient complaints. Misrepresentation, such as using a protected title incorrectly, can also create legal exposure and damage public trust. For example, using “CA” for unlicensed chiropractic assistants is prohibited because it is a protected title for Certified Acupuncturists. Incorrectly using these types of titles can be considered misleading by appearing to falsely enhance staff credentials. Ensuring accurate and compliant identification reduces the risk of misunderstandings, supports transparency, and maintains the professional reputation of your practice.

What to Check:

• Ensure all chiropractic physicians wear a badge or embroidered clothing with their full name followed by “DC,” “Chiropractic Physician,” or “Doctor of Chiropractic.”
• Confirm all other licensed staff wear a badge or embroidered clothing with their full name followed by their license title or legally allowed abbreviation.
• Verify all non-licensed staff involved in patient care wear a badge or embroidered clothing with their first or full name followed by “Chiropractic Assistant” (do not use “CA”).
• Remove any badges or signs that reference unlicensed chiropractic assistants as “CAs.”
• Confirm all marketing materials list licensed staff with their full name and license title or legally allowed abbreviation.
• Display the current license of all Illinois-licensed staff in a conspicuous location within the office, typically at the reception area.

Here is more ICS information on name badge requirements and website requirements. Also, don’t forget to utilize Paxson (ICS’ Members’ Only AI) to help you create your practice policies.

Where It’s Tracked in Statusfi:

Tracked in: Business > Employment > Name Badges and Other Name Requirements

Log in at my.statusfidashboard.com to review and update this checklist item.

Next Steps:

Review your office’s name badge, marketing, and license display practices. If updates are needed, take immediate action or assign the task to a team member familiar with compliance requirements. Consider setting a calendar reminder for annual review to keep these items current and avoid last-minute corrections during inspections.