Updated October 02, 2026 — Written by Dr. Shabbir Hussain, BPT, Registered Physiotherapist | Clinical Rehabilitation Specialist
Quick Answer – Can a Physiotherapist Be Called a Doctor?
As of 2026, the position is more nuanced than a simple “yes” or “no.” The NCAHP Competency-Based Curriculum for Physiotherapy 2025 recommends the professional nomenclature “Physiotherapist” with the prefix “Dr.” and suffix “PT.” A September 2025 DGHS communication directed that the provision be removed, but that communication was withdrawn the following day for further examination and deliberation.
On January 22, 2026, the Kerala High Court dismissed petitions challenging the relevant NCAHP provisions and curriculum. The Court held that the NMC Act does not give medical professionals an exclusive statutory right to the prefix “Dr.” and declined to restrict physiotherapists to merely a supporting role under the NCAHP framework.
This does not make BPT equivalent to MBBS. A physiotherapist using “Dr.” must not represent a BPT qualification as MBBS or claim the authority of an NMC-registered medical practitioner.What Happened Between 2025 and 2026?
April 23, 2025 — NCAHP Physiotherapy Curriculum
The 2025 Competency-Based Curriculum for Physiotherapy recommended the professional title “Physiotherapist” with the prefix “Dr.” and suffix “PT.”
September 9, 2025 — DGHS objection
DGHS issued a communication stating that physiotherapists were not entitled to use the “Dr.” prefix and directed that the relevant provision be removed from the 2025 curriculum.
September 10, 2025 — DGHS directive withdrawn
DGHS subsequently withdrew the communication, stating that representations had been received and the issue required further examination and deliberation.
January 22, 2026 — Kerala High Court judgment
The Kerala High Court dismissed the petitions challenging the NCAHP framework and the curriculum provisions. The Court held that the NMC Act does not give medical professionals an exclusive statutory right to use the title “Dr.”
Is a Physiotherapist a Doctor?
The answer depends on what “doctor” means.
A physiotherapist is a qualified healthcare professional specializing in physiotherapy, movement, function and rehabilitation. The NCAHP Act, 2021 includes physiotherapy within the regulated allied and healthcare professions framework, and its schedule specifically describes physiotherapy professionals and their scope of work.
BPT is not an MBBS degree. Therefore, using the professional prefix “Dr.” does not make a BPT-qualified physiotherapist an MBBS doctor or medical physician.
This distinction is important for patients. “Dr.” should never be presented in a way that suggests the person has an MBBS/MD qualification or practices modern medicine.
A BPT graduate should not describe a BPT degree as a “Doctor of Physiotherapy” degree. BPT stands for Bachelor of Physiotherapy. The use of the professional prefix “Dr.” in the 2025 physiotherapy curriculum is a separate issue from holding a doctoral degree.
Can BPT Graduates Use “Dr.” in India in 2026?
The 2025 NCAHP Competency-Based Curriculum for Physiotherapy recommends the professional nomenclature “Physiotherapist” with the prefix “Dr.” and suffix “PT.”
The position became controversial after a September 2025 DGHS communication challenged that provision. However, DGHS withdrew that communication the following day, stating that the matter required further examination.
On January 22, 2026, the Kerala High Court dismissed petitions challenging the NCAHP framework. The Court specifically rejected the argument that the title “Dr.” is exclusively reserved by statute for medical professionals.
What Is BPT?
BPT stands for Bachelor of Physiotherapy.
The 2025 Competency Based Curriculum for Physiotherapy describes BPT as a 5-year programme comprising four years of academic study followed by one year of compulsory clinical internship.
Physiotherapy education includes areas such as anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, exercise therapy, electrotherapy, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, neurological rehabilitation and cardiorespiratory physiotherapy.
After BPT, eligible graduates can pursue postgraduate education such as MPT (Master of Physiotherapy).
Is a Doctor of Physiotherapy the Same as an MBBS Doctor?
No. BPT means Bachelor of Physiotherapy. MBBS is the undergraduate medical qualification for modern medicine.
The use of the professional prefix “Dr.” does not change the academic qualification from BPT to MBBS and does not confer the legal authority to practise modern medicine.
What the 2026 Kerala High Court Judgment Does Not Mean
The judgment does not make BPT equivalent to MBBS. It does not authorize physiotherapists to practise modern medicine, prescribe medicines or provide allopathic treatment. It also does not turn a Bachelor of Physiotherapy into a Doctor of Physiotherapy degree. The case concerned challenges to the NCAHP framework and the use of the “Dr.” prefix, while the court maintained that healthcare professionals and medical professionals have distinct scopes of practice.
What Can a Physiotherapist Legally Do?
Physiotherapists assess and manage problems involving movement, function, pain and physical disability using interventions such as therapeutic exercise, mobility training, manual techniques and other appropriate physiotherapy modalities. The NCAHP Act specifically describes physiotherapy professionals in relation to movement and functional dysfunction, disability, healing and pain.
Patients should still be referred to an appropriate medical professional when symptoms suggest a condition outside physiotherapy’s scope—for example, unexplained chest pain, severe neurological symptoms, major trauma, suspected infection or other medical emergencies.
What Exactly Did the Kerala High Court Decide?
The Kerala High Court did not convert BPT into MBBS and did not create a new medical qualification called “Doctor of Physiotherapy.”
The Court rejected challenges to the NCAHP framework and held that medical professionals could not claim an exclusive statutory right to the prefix “Dr.” under the NMC Act. It also recognized that healthcare professionals under the NCAHP framework have a distinct professional scope and cannot prescribe medicines or provide allopathic treatment.
Bottom line: On January 22, 2026, the Kerala High Court dismissed the petitions challenging the relevant NCAHP provisions and curriculum. The Court held that the NMC Act does not confer an exclusive statutory right to the prefix “Dr.” on medical professionals and declined to restrict physiotherapists to a merely supporting role under the NCAHP framework.
Sources & References
- National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021 — India Code
India Code — NCAHP Act, 2021 - Kerala High Court — Indian Medical Association vs Union of India, January 22, 2026
Full judgment text - NCAHP Competency-Based Curriculum for Physiotherapy, 2025
NCAHP Physiotherapy Curriculum PDF - National Medical Commission — Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916
NMC — Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This article is for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, treatment, or individualized medical advice. If you have persistent, severe, worsening, or concerning symptoms, consult a qualified healthcare professional. Seek urgent medical care for emergency symptoms.
Dr. Shabbir Hussain, BPT
Registered Physiotherapist | Clinical Rehabilitation Specialist
Maharashtra OTPT Council Reg. No.: PR-2021/08/PT/009532
Society of Onco Physiotherapists Reg. No.: SOP/00033/LM
Dr. Shabbir Hussain, BPT, Registered Physiotherapist with over 8 years of experience in physiotherapy, kidney rehabilitation, oncological rehabilitation, and lymphedema management. He specializes in balance disorders, pain management, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, strengthening programs, and VR-based rehabilitation.