Master of Divinity: physician and surgeon: title.

Assembly Member Berman's proposal addresses potential confusion between religious and medical credentials by establishing new guidelines for how Master of Divinity degree holders display their academic titles in professional communications. The legislation adds provisions to California's Business and Professions Code governing the use of "MDiv" or "M.D.i.v." designations.

The bill prohibits Master of Divinity degree holders from presenting these credentials in ways that could be mistaken for medical titles like "MD" or "M.D." Specifically, the measure bars practices such as using different colors, fonts, or font sizes that make the "MD" portion more prominent than the rest of the designation. While existing law criminalizes the unauthorized use of medical titles, this new provision explicitly exempts violations from criminal penalties under the state's Medical Practice Act.

This addition to California's professional advertising regulations builds upon existing protections that restrict the use of terms like "doctor," "physician," and medical abbreviations to licensed medical practitioners. The measure creates a distinct framework for religious credentials while maintaining the Medical Board of California's authority over medical title usage.