For years, the divide between Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) and Doctors of Medicine (MDs) has steadily narrowed. In modern healthcare, the vast majority of large medical groups and hospitals treat both designations with equal professional respect, recognizing the comprehensive training and clinical efficacy of osteopathic physicians.
Although, a predatory trend has emerged, targeting this professional confidence. Some DOs are now being contacted via robocalls and targeted advertisements by businesses claiming they can “convert” a DO degree into an MD degree—or vice versa. While the idea of getting a secondary MD degree as a DO might seem like a way to add a credential to a resume, legal experts warn that these offers are almost always fronts for “diploma mills.”
These operations, often based offshore, sell fraudulent credentials that carry no academic weight and, more importantly, no legal authority. Because there is no recognized professional mechanism to simply “convert” one medical degree into another, pursuing these services can transform a successful medical career into a legal nightmare involving fraud charges and the loss of a license to practice.
The Myth of the ‘Degree Conversion’
The core of the scam is a fundamental misrepresentation of how medical accreditation works in the United States. Legitimate medical degrees are overseen by strict governing bodies: the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) for DOs and the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for MDs.
According to John Przypyszny, a higher education attorney at Faegre Drinker, offshore schools claiming to offer “certificates of equivalency” or “conversions” are not accredited by COCA, the LCME, or any agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA). They are also not recognized by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).
“There is not a recognized mechanism to ‘convert’ a DO degree to an MD degree,” Przypyszny said. He noted that obtaining such a diploma does not confer any legal authority to practice medicine, nor does it increase a physician’s scope of practice.
Accreditation vs. Certification
Confusion often arises because some legitimate organizations offer certificates in specific treatment modalities or specialized approaches. While these are valuable for demonstrating a physician’s skill in a particular technique, they are not medical degrees.
Jenna Milaeger, also an attorney at Faegre Drinker, explains that state licensing boards determine the education and examination requirements for licensure. These boards only recognize degrees from approved, accredited colleges. A certificate from a non-educational institute cannot be used to obtain a state license to practice as an MD.
The Legal and Professional Risks
The danger of using a “converted” degree extends far beyond a wasted investment. If a physician uses the MD designation without a proper license, they enter a territory of significant legal peril.
Misrepresenting credentials to patients, employers, or the public can be classified as deceptive business practices. This often triggers a “domino effect”: an investigation by a state licensing board for unprofessional conduct can lead to reciprocal actions by hospitals, insurance providers, and certifying organizations.
The potential legal consequences are severe. Przypyszny warns that presenting false academic credentials to obtain professional status or employment can constitute credential fraud under both state and federal law. Specifically, the use of false documents in interstate commerce could trigger federal mail and wire fraud statutes, which carry potential prison sentences of 20 to 30 years.
| Risk Area | Potential Outcome |
|---|---|
| State Licensing | Denial or revocation of medical license; fines. |
| Employment | Immediate termination for cause; breach of contract. |
| Federal Law | Charges of mail or wire fraud; potential imprisonment. |
| Reputation | Permanent record in the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB). |
One of the most enduring risks is the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB). This repository tracks medical malpractice payments and adverse actions against healthcare providers. If a state board disciplines a physician for falsifying credentials, that action is documented in the NPDB, making it nearly impossible for the practitioner to move to another state without their history following them.
Identifying and Reporting Diploma Mills
Diploma mills have evolved with the internet, using social media and sophisticated websites to mimic legitimate distance learning or “equivalency” programs. Some even use “crafty wording,” encouraging physicians to list themselves as “DO, MD” to create a veneer of dual-qualification while avoiding explicit claims that could be easily debunked.
For physicians who are targeted by these schemes, legal experts recommend two primary courses of action:
- Contact the State Attorney General: Most offices have consumer fraud divisions that investigate misleading business practices and unwanted communications from fraudulent third parties.
- Notify the State Licensing Board: Alerting the board allows regulators to issue public warnings to other licensees, potentially preventing colleagues from falling victim to the same scam.
Before engaging with any offshore program or “equivalency” service, physicians are urged to verify the institution’s status with their state licensing board or consult an attorney specializing in healthcare licensure.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional medical advice. Physicians should consult with a qualified attorney regarding licensure and credentialing laws in their specific jurisdiction.
The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) continues to advocate for the profession and is actively engaging with state regulators to ensure these predatory businesses do not undermine the integrity of osteopathic medicine. The next phase of these efforts involves increasing the visibility of regulatory warnings to protect physicians from emerging offshore fraud tactics.
Do you have experience with these types of solicitations, or have you seen similar trends in your specialty? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
