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HomeBusiness and Professions CodeDiv. 2Ch. 1Art. 4§ 581 Fraudulent Medical Credential Use

§ 581 Fraudulent Medical Credential Use

Business and Professions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 581 Fraudulent Medical Credential Use

Key Takeaways

  • •You can't buy, trade, or own fake medical diplomas or certificates.
  • •You can't change real medical diplomas or certificates to lie about someone's qualifications.
  • •It's illegal to use these fake or changed papers to pretend you're a doctor or other medical worker.

Example

Someone buys a fake medical diploma online to pretend they are a doctor and start treating patients.

This is against the law because they are using a fake diploma to lie about being qualified to practice medicine.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 581 Fraudulent Medical Credential Use

No person, company, or association shall purchase or procure by barter or by any unlawful means or method, or have in possession any diploma, certificate, transcript, or any other writing with intent that it shall be used as evidence of the holder’s qualifications to practice as a physician and surgeon, osteopathic physician, podiatrist, any other system or mode of treating the sick or afflicted, as provided in the Medical Practice Act, Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 2000), or to practice as any other licentiate under this division or in any fraud of the law regulating this practice or, shall with fraudulent intent, alter in a material regard, any such diploma, certificate, transcript, or any other writing. (Amended by Stats. 1986, Ch. 220, Sec. 3. Effective June 30, 1986.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

possessionmedicalfraudhealthphysicianlicenseeffective juneassociation

Related Statutes

  • § 582 Fraudulent Medical Practice Certificates
  • § 580 Degree Sale Prohibition
  • § 851 Licensure Standards Adoption
  • § 583 False Statements In Applications
  • § 584 Exam Security And Impersonation

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Business and Professions Code. Section 581.
View Official Source