# Health Occupations (GHO)

## Title 14. Physicians

### Subtitle 6. Prohibited Acts; Penalties

#### Section 14-601

Except as otherwise provided in this title:

(1) A person may not practice, attempt to practice, or offer to practice medicine in the State unless licensed by the Board; and

(2) A licensee on inactive status under Sec. 14-320 of this subtitle or emeritus status under Sec. 14-320.1 of this subtitle may not:

  (i) Practice, attempt to practice, or offer to practice medicine in the State; or

  (ii) Delegate medical acts.

#### Section 14-602

(a) Unless authorized to practice medicine under this title, a person may not represent to the public, by description of services, methods, or procedures, or otherwise, that the person is authorized to practice medicine in this State.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this article, a person may not use the words or terms "Dr.", "doctor", "physician", "D.O.", or "M.D." with the intent to represent that the person practices medicine, unless the person is:

  (1) Licensed to practice medicine under this title;

  (2) A physician licensed by and residing in another jurisdiction, while engaging in consultation with a physician licensed in this State;

  (3) A physician employed in the service of the federal government while practicing within the scope of the employment;

  (4) A physician who resides in and is licensed to practice medicine by any state adjoining this State and whose practice extends into this State;

  (5) An individual in a postgraduate medical program that is accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Board in regulations while the individual is practicing medicine in the program; or

  (6) A licensee who is on emeritus status under Sec. 14-320.1 of this title, provided that the licensee does not represent to the public that the licensee is authorized to practice medicine in the State.

(c) An unlicensed individual who acts under Sec. 14-302, Sec. 14-306, Sec. 14-306.1, Sec. 14-306.2, or Sec. 14-306.3 of this title may use the word "physician" together with another word to describe the occupation of the individual as in phrases such as "physician's assistant" or "physician's aide".

#### Section 14-603

A person may not make any false statement, report, or representation to the Board or a disciplinary panel.

#### Section 14-605

(a) This section does not apply to a physician or group of physicians who:

  (1) Have exclusive contracts with a health maintenance organization;

  (2) Treat only the patients of the health maintenance organization; and

  (3) Agree to accept full assignment for covered services rendered.

(b) If a physician is engaged in the private practice of medicine in this State, the physician shall display a notice written in English that is plainly visible to patients in the office of the physician concerning whether the physician:

  (1) Is a participating physician under the Medicare program and, therefore, accepts assignment for all Medicare claims;

  (2) Accepts Medicare assignment on a case-by-case basis; or

  (3) Does not accept Medicare assignment in any case.

#### Section 14-606

(a)

  (1) Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, a person who violates any provision of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or both.

  (2) A person who violates any provision of Sec. 14-503 of this title is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500.

  (3) A person who is required to give notice under Sec. 14-505 ("Reporting burn treatment") of this title, and who fails to give the required notice, may be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $100.

  (4) Except as provided in paragraph (5) of this subsection, a person who violates Sec. 14-601 or Sec. 14-602 of this subtitle is:

    (i) Guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or both; and

    (ii) Subject to a civil fine of not more than $50,000 to be levied by a disciplinary panel.

  (5) The provisions of paragraph (4) of this subsection do not apply to a former licensee who has failed to renew a license under Sec. 14-316 of this title if:

    (i) Less than 60 days have elapsed since the expiration of the license; and

    (ii) The former licensee has applied for license reinstatement, including payment of the reinstatement fee.

(b) The Board shall pay any penalty collected under this section into the Board of Physicians Fund.

#### Section 14-607

(a) Knowingly selling or dispensing replacement contact lenses without a valid and unexpired replacement contact lens prescription shall be considered a violation of this title.

(b) The Board shall investigate any alleged violation of this section or Sec. 14-507 of this title and may enforce any provision of this title by injunction or other appropriate proceedings.

(c) An action under this section is in addition to and not instead of criminal prosecution under Sec. 14-606 of this subtitle.

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Md. Code Ann., Health Occ. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)