Delaware Bars AI From Using Medical License Titles

Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer signed House Bill 191 — legislation that blocks AI agents from holding licenses as professional nurses, advanced practice nurses, physicians and physicians assistants — into law April 23. The new law also bars AI tools from using protected titles and abbreviations such as doctor, physician, MD, DO, nurse, RN, APRN, CRNA and PA.

For ACR® members, the measure supports clear title protection as AI tools spread in healthcare and strengthens the case for similar safeguards in other states.

Other states are taking similar steps. Oregon passed HB 2748 to stop nonhuman entities from using certain nursing titles. That law took effect Jan. 1.

In Washington state, lawmakers approved HB 2155. It says only a “human person” can practice as an RN, ARNP or LPN, and it bars nonhuman entities from using those titles. The law takes effect June 11.

California also enacted AB 489 in 2025. The law, which went into effect Jan. 1, lets the state enforce title-protection laws against developers or users of AI systems that imply the tool holds a healthcare license or that a licensed person provided the work.

Delaware’s law goes further than some others because it covers physician, physician assistant and nursing titles. ACR will continue to monitor state action on AI in healthcare.

For more information, contact Eugenia Brandt, ACR Senior Government Relations Director.