An advertising restriction is a licensing board rule, regulation, or law that governs how providers may represent themselves in marketing and advertising. These rules exist to support truth-in-advertising and board compliance, helping make sure the way you describe your credentials to patients is accurate.
Advertising restrictions generally fall into a few categories:
Required disclosures: Certain providers may be required to list specific details alongside their advertisements. For example, sometimes this includes listing a license number, or the name of a supervising provider. This often applies to specialties such as Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, and certain therapy credentials.
Name and nickname rules: Certain providers may be required to advertise under their full legal name as it appears on their license, rather than a nickname or shortened version. Others allow a nickname only when shown alongside the full legal name.
Employer or practice information requirements: Certain providers may be required to include their employer's name or contact information.
Your responsibility
Because advertising rules vary widely by state and specialty, you know your obligations best. Be sure to:
Review how your name, credentials, and any professional statement appear on your Zocdoc profile.
Confirm that your profile includes any disclosures your state or board requires for your specialty or license type.
Update your profile if your credentials, supervising provider, or practice details change.
If you're not sure whether a restriction applies to you, the steps below can get you started.
How to research whether a restriction applies to you
A few practical starting points:
Check with your state licensing board. Your board is an authoritative source for advertising rules tied to your license and specialty. Most boards publish advertising or marketing guidelines on their websites.
Review your specialty board's guidance. National or specialty-specific boards often outline expectations for how members may advertise their credentials and expertise.
Look at your state's statutes and regulations. Many states publish advertising rules directly in their professional practice statutes or administrative codes.
Consult your practice's compliance or legal resources. If your practice has a compliance lead, office manager, or legal counsel, they may be able to help confirm what applies to your specific situation, especially if you practice across multiple states.