Vermont’s medical advertising rules address deceptive medical business advertising and define certain misleading advertising practices as unprofessional conduct. The state’s statute focuses on advertising that is intended to deceive the public or may harm public morals or safety.
Medical marketing rules can vary by state and by provider type. For a full assessment of the statutes and regulations that apply to your website, advertising, and patient communications, consult with legal counsel familiar with your practice and market.
More Information
Oversight Body:
Vermont Board of Medical Practice
Reference Citation:
26 V.S.A. § 1354(a)(2)
Selected Excerpt:
(a) The board shall find that any one of the following, or any combination of the following, whether or not the conduct at issue was committed within or outside the state, constitutes unprofessional conduct: (…)
- (2) all advertising of medical business which is intended or has a tendency to deceive the public or impose upon credulous or ignorant persons and so be harmful or injurious to public morals or safety
What This Means for Vermont Medical Practices
Vermont medical practices should be careful to avoid advertising that could mislead patients or overstate what a treatment, provider, or practice can deliver. Marketing claims should be clear, accurate, and supported where appropriate.
For elective healthcare practices, this applies across the full digital presence, including website copy, paid ads, social media content, email campaigns, landing pages, and before-and-after galleries. Practices should also review language around results, board certification, model imagery, patient photos, and treatment outcomes with legal counsel.
Sample Best Practices
Use the following sample best practices as a starting point for discussion with your legal counsel. Find out if you need to take steps to avoid the following:
- Advertising in a way that is intended or has a tendency to deceive the public or impose upon credulous or ignorant persons and so be harmful or injurious to public morals or safety.
- Making scientific claims that cannot be substantiated.
- Assuring a permanent cure for an incurable disease.
- Claiming professional superiority without supporting the claim with objective evidence, or using hyperbole when describing your techniques or results.
- Showing patient before and after photos without indicating that results vary and the results shown are not a guarantee.
- Showing models without clearly indicating that the photos are not of actual patients.
- Saying you are board-certified without including in any advertising the name of the board that has certified you.
Is your website following best practices when it comes to medical marketing? Find out by downloading our free Website Compliance Checklist!
Download Free ChecklistMarket Your Vermont Practice With More Confidence
Medical marketing requires more than strong messaging. Your website, ads, social media, email campaigns, landing pages, and patient-facing content should also be reviewed with accuracy, clarity, and compliance awareness in mind.
Etna Interactive helps medical and aesthetic practices create digital marketing strategies that support visibility, patient trust, and practice growth. To learn more about how our team can support your marketing efforts, reach out to learn more or request a consultation with one of our experts.
This page was originally published in March 2013 and has been updated for 2026.
Please help us keep these pages up to date. If you or your legal counsel notice an oversight in our comments or a problem with this page, please alert us by email. Also, be sure to read our legal disclaimer.
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