By Mary Claire Wooten

The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners is warning residents to verify a person’s medical license after an investigation found that an individual who presented herself online as an Alabama physician was not licensed to practice medicine.

The investigation began after an Alabama woman contacted the Board about someone she had been communicating with online. The Board licenses and regulates physicians and certain other health care professionals in Alabama to protect public health and safety.

She became suspicious and asked the Board to verify whether the woman she was messaging was a licensed physician. Investigators determined that the individual did not hold an Alabama medical license. They also found evidence raising questions about whether photographs posted on the account actually showed the person operating the account.

The online profile portrayed the individual as a physician. It included medical information, photographs that appeared to show her in medical settings, and images suggesting she had appeared on the covers of national and medical publications.

According to Board officials, the individual was not licensed elsewhere, either. The investigation remains ongoing. No formal criminal charges have been filed.

“This individual did exactly what we would encourage anyone to do – she checked,” said Dr. Max Rogers, chair of the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners. “If someone represents themselves as a physician in Alabama, you can verify that information directly with the Board.”

The case is prompting the Board to remind residents that a professional-looking social media account is not proof that someone is licensed to practice medicine.

The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners maintains a free online Licensee Search that allows the public to check a physician’s credentials.

A name search can show whether a physician’s Alabama medical license is active, along with the physician’s license number and issue and expiration dates. The database can also provide information about where the physician attended medical school, certain licenses, registrations and certificates the physician holds, and public disciplinary or licensing actions.

The Board said the database can be used when patients are choosing a new doctor, moving to a new community or communicating online with someone who claims to be a physician.

Officials say residents should verify medical credentials through state licensing records instead of relying on social media profiles, photographs, biographies or other online claims.

Board officials said the agency investigates complaints involving people who may be practicing medicine without a license. Alabama law makes impersonating a licensed physician a felony.

The Board said the investigation into the individual in this case remains ongoing.

“Giving patients easy access to accurate licensing information is an important part of what we do,” said Rogers. “It is one of the ways the Board provides transparency and helps protect Alabama patients.”