Kerala High Court Rules Against "Dr" Prefix Use by Physiotherapists Without Medical Degrees

Nov 06, 2025 11:25 pm CST

The Kerala High Court has issued an interim directive prohibiting physiotherapists and occupational therapists from using the "Dr" prefix without recognized medical qualifications. This ruling comes in response to a petition from the Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, challenging the representation of these practitioners as primary healthcare providers. The court has requested responses from various healthcare regulatory bodies and scheduled further hearings for December 1.