California AB 489 (2025) — Prohibition on AI Implying Licensed Health Care Status
California · Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 4999.9 (AB 489, 2025)
This law stops AI technology from pretending to be a licensed health care provider. AI systems and the companies behind them cannot use titles, letters, or terms that falsely suggest the AI holds a health care license or that its services come from a licensed human professional. It extends an existing ban on impersonating licensed health professionals so that it clearly covers AI providers.
Technical detail
AB 489 adds Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 4999.9, extending prohibitions on the unauthorized use of titles/terms implying a health care license or licensed-professional care to developers and deployers of AI technology, so AI-generated communications may not falsely indicate licensure.
Who is protected: Patients and consumers who might be misled into believing AI-generated health communications come from a licensed human professional.
Who must comply: Developers and deployers of AI technology that generates health-related communications or could imply licensed status.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | California |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Limited protection |
| Effective date | 2026-01-01 |
| Enacted | 2025-10-11 |
| Citation | Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 4999.9 (AB 489, 2025) |
| Enforced by | The relevant California health care licensing boards (under the Department of Consumer Affairs). |
| Penalties | Enforced by the applicable health care licensing boards using their existing authority over unlawful use of professional titles and unlicensed practice. |
| Topics | healthcare AI · consumer protection |
| Last verified | 2026-06-16 |
| Official source | AB-489 Health care: artificial intelligence ↗ |
More AI rules in California
- CA EO N-6-26 (AI Workforce) · In effect
- California AB 489 (AI healthcare chatbot misrepresentation ban) · In effect
- X.AI v. Bonta (AB 2013 training-data disclosure) · Blocked / in litigation
- CA SB 1298 (2012 AV authorization) · In effect
- CA AB 856 (2015 drone trespass) · In effect
- California Bot Disclosure Act (bots must self-identify in sales/election messaging) · In effect
Related healthcare AI rules elsewhere
- Missouri AI Therapy Chatbot Ban (SB 1019) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- PA v. Character.AI (Fake Psychiatrist Chatbot) · Blocked / in litigation
- RI Therapy Chatbot Ban (2026) · In effect
- RI AI Companion Self-Harm Safety (2026) · In effect
- Georgia SB 544 (health insurer AI) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Indiana HB 1271 (AI claims downcoding) · In effect
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