---
urn: urn:us-la:rs:37:1261
citation: "R.S. 37:1261"
status: active
breadcrumb: "Title 37 › Chapter 15 › Part I"
acts_citations:
  - { year: 1975, number: 350, section: 1, effective_date: null, role: enactment }
  - { year: 1985, number: 302, section: 2, effective_date: null, role: amendment }
  - { year: 2001, number: 17, section: 1, effective_date: 2001-05-17, role: amendment }
---

# Declaration of purpose

Recognizing that the practice of medicine, surgery, and midwifery is a privilege granted by legislative authority and is not a natural right of individuals, the state of Louisiana deems it necessary as a matter of policy in the interests of public health, safety, and welfare to provide laws and provisions covering the granting of that privilege and its subsequent use, control, and regulation to the end that the public shall be properly protected against unprofessional, improper, unauthorized, and unqualified practice of medicine and from unprofessional conduct of persons licensed to practice medicine, surgery, and midwifery.