What evidence does an auditor or the regulator ask for under Advertising guidelines Title descriptors?

Title wording register approved by the practice owner; Review of every combined title against the recognised specialties list

Rules / Ahpra advertising guidelines

AdvertisingAhpra advertising guidelinesahpra-advertising-guidelines--title-descriptors-add-descriptive-terms-to-a-protected

Requirement

Add descriptive terms to a protected title only where they do not overstate skill or imply a specialty

Ahpra advertising guidelines Title descriptors, stated plainly and cited to the edition held, with the evidence an auditor or the regulator asks for, the common gaps, and a free worksheet to fill in.

Clause

Advertising guidelines Title descriptors

Regulator

Ahpra and the National Boards

Edition held

Guidelines for advertising a regulated health service, December 2020 edition, effective 14 December 2020

Checked current

6 October 2026, Ahpra advertising guidelines page read 6 October 2026: still the current edition

Who it applies to

Anyone advertising a regulated health service, including a practice owner who is not registered, for occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology services.

Every clause in the standards library

Ahpra advertising guidelines on the standards library

Under review, not in force

The printed edition predates the higher penalties for advertising offences: up to 60,000 dollars for an individual and 120,000 dollars for a body corporate, in every jurisdiction from 1 July 2024. The guidelines will be updated when next reviewed.

Title descriptorsAdd descriptive terms to a protected title only where they do not overstate skill or imply a specialtysource

Requirement, our statement of the clause

A descriptive term added to a protected title may help the public understand the area, population or setting served, but must not overstate skills, experience or qualifications or imply specialist registration or an endorsement. A recognised specialty name combined with a descriptor by a practitioner outside that specialty misleads.

Evidence that typically shows this

Title wording register approved by the practice owner
Review of every combined title against the recognised specialties list

Common gap to check

General practitioner titled with an oncology specialty name plus 'GP'

Worksheet: what your practice holds, and where

Ref	Held (yes, partly, no, not applicable)	Where it is kept	Owner	Last reviewed	Next review
Title descriptors

Download the worksheet (CSV)Print the worksheet (A4)

Completing this worksheet records what your practice holds and where. It does not make a practice compliant or ready for audit, and it is not legal advice.

Related requirements

Ahpra advertising guidelines

TestimonialsDo not use testimonials or purported testimonials in advertising
Unnecessary useDo not encourage indiscriminate or unnecessary use of services
Specialist wordingAvoid 'specialist' wording without specialist registration and do not overstate a specialty
Specialist titlesUse specialist and endorsement titles only when held
Review functionsControl review functions you run and know where responsibility sits
Checking advertisingCheck all advertising regularly and read it for overall impression
QualificationsDescribe qualifications, experience and memberships accurately
Position titlesUse employment position titles only within their employment context
Every page of this instrument

The same topic in other instruments (advertising)

National Law s 113Protected titles only for persons registered in the profession
National Law s 115Specialist titles only for specialist registrants
National Law s 116No claims to be a registered health practitioner by unregistered persons
National Law s 117No claims of registration in a profession or division not held
Ahpra shared Code of conduct 8.5Advertising
Psychology Board Code of conduct 8.7Advertising

See every requirement for your practice See the specimen practice