California AB 489 (2025) — Prohibition on AI Healthcare Misrepresentation
California · Cal. AB 489 (2025-2026 Reg. Sess.), effective January 1, 2026
California AB 489, signed October 11, 2025 and in effect since January 1, 2026, prohibits AI systems from using post-nominal letters (M.D., R.N., etc.), icons, phrases, or other design elements that imply a user is receiving care from a licensed health care professional unless actual licensed professional oversight exists. It also bars marketing language suggesting clinical expertise — such as 'doctor-level,' 'clinician-guided,' or 'expert-backed' — unless the product is genuinely supported by licensed professionals. The law expands California professional licensing boards' authority to investigate and enforce violations, with each misleading representation treated as a separate offense.
Technical detail
California AB 489 (2025-2026 Regular Session), signed Oct. 11, 2025, eff. Jan. 1, 2026. Amends Health & Safety Code and Business & Professions Code. Scope: any person or entity operating an AI system that simulates interactions with licensed healthcare professionals. Prohibited conduct: (1) displaying post-nominal letters (M.D., D.O., R.N., Ph.D., Psy.D., etc.), icons, or phrases implying licensed professional interaction unless actual licensed oversight is present; (2) using 'doctor-level,' 'clinician-guided,' 'expert-backed,' or similar marketing claims without genuine licensed professional support. Enforcement: state professional licensing boards have expanded investigation and enforcement authority; each misleading representation may be treated as a separate violation. Companion to CA AB 3030 (2024, healthcare AI notification in clinical-note generation) and CA SB 1120 (2024, Physicians Make Decisions Act). Sponsored by the California Medical Association. PA v. Character.AI (filed May 2026) reflects the same theory of harm at the AG-enforcement level.
Who is protected: California patients and healthcare consumers interacting with AI systems that misrepresent professional status
Who must comply: Operators and developers of AI systems that simulate licensed healthcare professional interactions and are available to California users
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | California |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Moderate protection |
| Effective date | 2026-01-01 |
| Enacted | 2025-10-11 |
| Citation | Cal. AB 489 (2025-2026 Reg. Sess.), effective January 1, 2026 |
| Enforced by | California professional licensing boards (Medical Board, Board of Registered Nursing, Psychology Board, etc.); California Attorney General |
| Penalties | Each misleading representation is a separate violation subject to licensing board penalties; specific penalty amounts vary by licensing board |
| Topics | consumer protection · healthcare AI · automated decision-making |
| Last verified | 2026-07-13 |
| Official source | California AB 489 (2025-2026) — California Legislative Information ↗ |
More AI rules in California
- CCPA/CPRA + ADMT Regulations · In effect
- AB 2013 (Training Data Transparency) · In effect
- SB 942 (AI Transparency Act) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- SB 53 (Frontier AI Safety) · In effect
- AB 2839 (Election Deepfakes) · Blocked / in litigation
- AB 602 (Deepfake Intimate Images) · In effect
Related consumer protection rules elsewhere
- FTC Act Section 5 (unfair/deceptive AI) · In effect
- TAKE IT DOWN Act · In effect
- FCRA (AI in credit & background checks) · In effect
- ECOA / Regulation B (AI credit discrimination) · In effect
- COPPA + 2025 Rule (childrens data) · In effect
- TCPA (AI voice calls) · In effect
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