Part four: Health professions

The duly constituted professional groups of masseur-physiotherapists and chiropodists are entitled to prosecute offenders by way of direct summons before the criminal court, without prejudice to the right to bring a civil action in any prosecution brought by the public prosecutor.

Medical doctors and pharmacist public health inspectors, inspectors from regional health agencies, inspectors from the Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé (French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products) and all persons authorised to ascertain breaches of legislation on the prevention of fraud are authorised to investigate and ascertain the breaches referred to in article L. 4323-6.

Physiotherapists and chiropodists preparing to practise their profession are bound by professional secrecy, under the conditions and subject to the reservations set out in articles 226-13 and 226-14 of the French Criminal Code.

Illegal practice of the profession of masseur-physiotherapist is punishable by two years’ imprisonment and a fine of €30,000. Illegal practice of the profession of chiropodist is punishable by one year’s imprisonment and a fine of €15,000. Natural persons are also liable to the following additional penalties: a) Posting or distributing the decision handed down, in accordance with the conditions set out inarticle 131-35 of the Criminal Code ; b) Confiscation…

The profession of masseur-physiotherapist is practised illegally by : 1° Any person who practises massage physiotherapy, as defined in article L. 4321-1, without holding a state diploma in massage physiotherapy or any other qualification mentioned in article L. 4321-4 required to practise the profession of massage physiotherapist or without being covered by article L. 4321-11 ; 2° Any person holding a diploma, certificate, authorisation to practise or any other qualification…

The profession of chiropodist is practised illegally: 1° Any person who practises chiropody, within the meaning of Article L. 4322-1, without holding a State diploma in chiropody or any other qualification referred to in Articles L. 4322-4 and L. 4322-5 required to practise the profession of chiropody or without falling within the scope of Article L. 4322-15 ; 2° Any person holding a diploma, certificate, authorisation to practise or any…

The unauthorised use of the title of masseur-physiotherapist, medical gymnast, masseur, chiropodist, chiropodist, chiropodist or of a diploma, certificate or other title legally required for the practice of these professions is punishable as the offence of usurpation of title provided for in article 433-17 of the French Penal Code. Legal entities declared criminally liable, under the conditions set out in article 121-2 of the French Penal Code, for the offence…

The offences referred to in articles L. 4163-3 and L. 4163-4 are applicable to masseur-physiotherapists and are punishable by two years’ imprisonment and a fine of 75,000 euros. In the event of conviction, temporary disqualification from practising the profession for a period of up to ten years may be imposed as an additional penalty by the courts or tribunals.