Can I say it?
Can I say “no exam required” in a telehealth ad?
Usually no. 6 rules fired across 3 sample sentences, and the checker's own text explains why.
The short answer
Usually no. The checker blocks the bare phrase in this setting. The first rule it hits is CG-TEL-002. Its reason: Offering a prescription with no appointment, exam or consultation, or after only a quiz, promises prescribing without the clinical evaluation that state law and, for controlled substances, the Ryan Haight Act require.
Source the rule cites: 21 U.S.C. 829(e); FTC Act section 5
Checked as an ad promoting a clinical service.
A clear result is not an all-clear. The checker flags wording for review and does not know your evidence, your state or your platform's review. Read the limitations.
Sample wording, run through the checker
These are sentences written to contain the phrase, not real claims. Each ran through the real engine and the shipped rule-set when this site was built.
Same-day prescription, no exam required.
- BlockingCG-TEL-002Regulatory status. Matched: “prescription, no exam required”
- BlockingCG-TRG-005State law. Matched: “no exam required”
- WarningCG-RPL-005Replaces care. Matched: “no exam required”
- WarningCG-TRD-001Replaces care. Matched: “prescription, no exam”
- WarningCG-TRH-005Replaces care. Matched: “no exam requ”
- Warning
CG-RPL-002Replaces care. Matched: “no exam required”
No exam required, just fill out a form.
- BlockingCG-TRG-005State law. Matched: “No exam required”
- WarningCG-RPL-005Replaces care. Matched: “No exam required”
- WarningCG-TRH-005Replaces care. Matched: “No exam requ”
- Warning
CG-RPL-002Replaces care. Matched: “No exam required”
Get your prescription with no exam required.
- BlockingCG-TEL-002Regulatory status. Matched: “prescription with no exam required”
- BlockingCG-TRG-005State law. Matched: “no exam required”
- WarningCG-RPL-005Replaces care. Matched: “no exam required”
- WarningCG-TRD-001Replaces care. Matched: “prescription with no exam”
- WarningCG-TRH-005Replaces care. Matched: “no exam requ”
- Warning
CG-RPL-002Replaces care. Matched: “no exam required”
What to say instead
This version came back with no rule fired:
A licensed clinician reviews your answers and history before any prescription.
What the rules themselves suggest:
- CG-TEL-002 Say a licensed clinician reviews each request and that a prescription is issued only if it is appropriate.
- CG-TRG-005 Offer care only through clinicians licensed in the patient's state after a proper exam, use only titles the licensee holds, never imply state endorsement, and get parental consent for minors.
- CG-RPL-005 Explain how a licensed clinician evaluates every patient and decides whether a prescription is appropriate.
The rules behind this answer
Reason, source and citation for each rule that fired, in the checker's own words. Blocking rules come first.
CG-TEL-002 · Blocks approval · Citation checked against stored text
Offering a prescription with no appointment, exam or consultation, or after only a quiz, promises prescribing without the clinical evaluation that state law and, for controlled substances, the Ryan Haight Act require.
Source: 21 U.S.C. 829(e); FTC Act section 5
Safer wording: Say a licensed clinician reviews each request and that a prescription is issued only if it is appropriate.
21 U.S.C. 829 · Needs counsel review
CG-TRG-005 · Blocks approval · Citation checked against stored text
Prescribing or shipping across state lines without a licensed exam, lay owners directing physicians, naturopaths using the MD title or treating cancer, cannabis recommendations without an exam, treating minors without parental consent, and implied state endorsement violate state licensure, corporate practice and advertising laws.
Source: State medical practice acts (including California Business and Professions Code 2052, New York Education Law 6512, Texas Occupations Code 155 and 165); corporate practice of medicine doctrine; Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act, 21 U.S.C. 829(e); state naturopathic licensing acts; FTC Act section 5
Safer wording: Offer care only through clinicians licensed in the patient's state after a proper exam, use only titles the licensee holds, never imply state endorsement, and get parental consent for minors.
21 U.S.C. 829 · Needs counsel review
CG-RPL-005 · Warns · Citation checked against stored text
Offering prescription treatment with no exam, labs or clinician review, or with prescribing guaranteed, is unsafe and contrary to prescribing laws.
Source: FDCA 503(b); 21 CFR 1306.04; state telehealth and practice laws; FTC Act section 5
Safer wording: Explain how a licensed clinician evaluates every patient and decides whether a prescription is appropriate.
21 CFR 1306.04 · Needs counsel review
CG-TRD-001 · Warns · Citation checked against stored text
Offering prescription or controlled medication with no exam, no records, no labs, or on a promise that requests are never refused is an unsafe prescribing practice and an illegal inducement to obtain controlled drugs.
Source: Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act, 21 USC 829(e); Controlled Substances Act, 21 USC 841; state telemedicine standard-of-care rules; FTC Act section 5
Safer wording: Describe a clinician evaluation that includes a real exam or history, and never advertise guaranteed approval, no-exam or no-records prescribing.
21 USC 841, 21 USC 829 · Needs counsel review
CG-TRH-005 · Warns · Citation checked against stored text
Offering prescription or controlled medications without an exam, labs, history or physician involvement, or letting non-physicians adjust doses by text, markets prescribing outside the standard of care and bypasses safeguards.
Source: Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act, 21 U.S.C. 829(e) and 802(54); DEA telemedicine rules; FTC Act section 5; state medical board telemedicine standards
Safer wording: Describe a real clinician evaluation, including history and appropriate testing, before any prescription, and never advertise prescribing without exam or with unsupervised dose changes.
21 U.S.C. 829 · Needs counsel review
CG-RPL-002 · Warns
Offering prescription products with no clinician evaluation is a legal and safety problem, and wrongly implies no oversight.
Source: FDCA 503(b) (prescription-only drugs); state telehealth and practice laws; FTC Act section 5
Safer wording: Explain how a licensed clinician evaluates each patient and decides whether a prescription is appropriate.
See source text · Needs counsel review
Background: Off-label promotion in the glossary.
Questions
Which rule covers no-exam claims?
Rule CG-TEL-002. It cites 21 U.S.C. 829. The rule's reason: Offering a prescription with no appointment, exam or consultation, or after only a quiz, promises prescribing without the clinical evaluation that state law and, for controlled substances, the Ryan Haight Act require.
What should I write instead?
The rule's own suggestion for rule CG-TEL-002: Say a licensed clinician reviews each request and that a prescription is issued only if it is appropriate.
If the checker shows nothing, can I publish?
No. A clean result means none of the checker's rules matched. It does not weigh your evidence, your state or your platform's review, and it is not legal advice. Read the limitations page for what it misses.
Next step
Check your own wording
Paste your copy into the free checker. Every flag names its rule and its source.