Updated September 18, 2026 — Written by Dr. Shabbir Hussain, BPT, Registered Physiotherapist | Clinical Rehabilitation Specialist
Quick Answer – Can a Physiotherapist Be Called a Doctor?
The NCAHP’s 2025 physiotherapy curriculum uses the professional nomenclature “Dr.” with the suffix “PT,” and the Kerala High Court on January 22, 2026 dismissed petitions challenging this provision. This does not make a BPT graduate an MBBS doctor or authorize the practice of modern medicine.
For years, physiotherapy students and practitioners in India have asked the same question: if a physiotherapist completes BPT and becomes a registered professional, can they legally use “Dr.” before their name? The answer became more complicated—and more important—after the 2025 NCAHP curriculum and the Kerala High Court’s January 2026 judgment.
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?
The issue has a significant recent legal development.
The NCAHP Competency-Based Curriculum for Physiotherapy 2025 states that the recommended professional title is “Physiotherapist” with the prefix “Dr” and suffix “PT.” It also recognizes a BPT-qualified person as a physiotherapist under the curriculum.
On January 22, 2026, the Kerala High Court dismissed the petitions challenging the NCAHP framework and the use of the “Dr” prefix by physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
The judgment did not convert physiotherapists into medical doctors; it distinguished their professional scope from the practice of modern medicine.
However, this should not be simplified into “BPT = medical doctor.” The legal position concerns professional nomenclature and scope of practice, not conversion of a physiotherapy qualification into an MBBS qualification.
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.
A Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT), where that qualification exists, and an MBBS/medical doctor are different professional qualifications with different education, regulatory frameworks and scopes of practice.
Similarly, using “Dr.” before a physiotherapist’s name does not give that person the authority to prescribe medicines, perform surgery or claim to be an allopathic physician.
What Is the Lowest Rank of a Doctor?
There is no universal “lowest rank” of a doctor. “Doctor” can refer to different academic or professional qualifications, while a person’s legal scope of practice depends on their qualification, registration and profession.
Is a Doctor of Physiotherapy a Medical Doctor?
No. A physiotherapist may use the professional prefix “Dr.” under the nomenclature recognized in the NCAHP physiotherapy curriculum, but this does not mean the person is a medical doctor or holds an MBBS qualification.
The distinction is important because professional titles must not falsely suggest that a person is qualified to practise modern medicine. The Kerala High Court specifically distinguished the scope of healthcare professionals under the NCAHP framework from that of medical professionals.
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.
How Physiotherapy Can Help
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.
Bottom Line
The current Indian position is more nuanced than simply saying “BPT doctors” or “physiotherapists cannot be doctors.” The 2025 NCAHP curriculum recommended “Dr.” + “PT,” while the January 2026 Kerala High Court judgment addressed the legality of the title. At the same time, BPT remains a Bachelor of Physiotherapy qualification, not an MBBS degree, and physiotherapists must clearly identify their professional field and stay within their lawful scope of practice.
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
Licensed 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 is a licensed 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.