Should you still address a person as "Doctor" if they are not a licensed physician in your region?

Question

Suppose a person has completed medical training, tested proficiently in their home country and performed all the other tasks necessary to earn the qualification of Doctor. But the person emigrates to a country where they have not passed the local licensing exam (language barriers and so forth). Should you still address this person as Doctor?

Another example: Qualified physicians are leaving the Philippines at high rates and coming to the US to take the NCLEX. They stay in the US and work as nurses. They have proper medical training and degrees. Should they also be addressed as Doctor So-and-so?

On the other hand, people are conferred doctoral degrees by universities of questionable repute. Should they be addressed as Doctor So-and-so?

What are your thoughts on the etiquette and use of the title "Doctor?"

Oliver T · Accepted Answer

They should all be referred to as "Oi, Quack!", because I've never met one yet that isn't.

Croa · Answer

I believe that any person who has completed the educational requirements to become a Dr. in any form should be addressed as such. It's a huge accomplishment, and If I had a doctorate, I would want to be addressed as such.
As for the Drs. working as nurses, I think that situation could create a great deal of potentially damaging confusion. I would not address them as Dr.
  As for  doctors from 'questionable universities' or who have not taken their exams yet--in the former, who are we to judge, unless we attended the same questionable university, & in the latter,
who are we to judge?
  An advanced degree requires advanced social skills and etiquette, as well.

Anonymous · Answer

Doctor is a credential, not an occupation.  Physicians are only one of many types of doctors.  In the nursing situation, the individual is a doctor who is simply employed as a nurse.  It's not at all wrong to use the term "Doctor" for anyone who has the requisite degree.

wirtz · Answer

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blank · Answer

If the person refers to themselves as "Doctor" you may address them as such to be nice, although it may not be correct.

One thing to consider: are they called "Doctor" in their home country?

Not all countries refer to physicians as "doctors", so this person may not even expect or prefer this title.

Anonymous · Answer

If they are not an official doctor in this country than don't call them a doctor.  Unless I'm trying to be polite, I don't adress doctors as 
dr. so and so.  I don't think it's neccessary in casual conversation and if they complain then they can go to hell.

Anonymous · Answer

be safe and call him  the vet your pet poodle might need himsome day

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Should you still address a person as "Doctor" if they are not a licensed physician in your region?

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