About .doctor domain
The .doctor domain is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) that was proposed in ICANN's New gTLD Program. It was applied for by three distinct entities: Donuts (Brice Trail, LLC), Radix (DotMedico TLD Inc.), and The Medical Registry Limited. The application process was notable for attracting GAC Early Warnings and commentary from the European Commission regarding its potential use in a regulated professional field. As a product, it represents a specialized namespace intended for registration, though its delegation was not finalized through the program.
Who can register .doctor domain
Registration for the .doctor TLD would have been open to the general public without specific eligibility restrictions, as it was proposed as an open gTLD. There were no geographic or organizational verification requirements outlined in the applications. However, the GAC Early Warnings indicated concerns about operating in a regulated sector, suggesting potential future mechanisms to prevent consumer harm might have been considered.
How to register .doctor domain
- You would search for your desired .doctor domain name through a participating ICANN-accredited registrar to check its availability.
- After finding an available name, you would compare registration terms and pricing from different registrars, noting any introductory offers.
- You would proceed to checkout, providing your contact details and selecting any optional services like WHOIS privacy protection.
- Finally, you would complete the purchase and immediately configure your domain's DNS settings to point to your website or email hosting.
Typical uses of .doctor domain
The .doctor extension is primarily intended for use by medical professionals and the healthcare industry. It offers a clear, professional namespace for individual practitioners, clinics, hospitals, and medical organizations to establish an online presence. Users might choose it over more generic extensions like .com to instantly communicate their field of expertise and to secure a relevant, memorable web address. It can also be used by medical information platforms, educational resources, and related service providers within the broader health sector.
Tips for registering .doctor domain
- As a proposed gTLD, specific registration term limits, renewal pricing structures, and grace period policies were not publicly finalized.
- WHOIS privacy availability would have been subject to the policies of the eventual registry operator and individual registrars.
- The GAC Early Warnings highlighted potential concerns about consumer protection, which could have led to specific usage or verification policies post-launch.
- Premium domain names would likely have been offered by the registry, with pricing set according to their perceived value.
Frequently asked questions about .doctor domain
How much does it cost to register and renew a .doctor domain?
As of today, .doctor domains start from $5.38/yr on NameBeta, with prices ranging up to $224.53/yr across 29 registrars. See the registrar comparison table on this page for live prices.Which registrars support .doctor domains?
NameBeta tracks 29 registrars that support .doctor domain registration, with the cheapest option at $5.38/yr. Full list on this page.Who operates .doctor domain?
The registry for .doctor domains is Identity Digital, administered by Binky Moon, LLC.
Who can register a .doctor domain?
The .doctor domain was proposed as an open gTLD, meaning registration would have been available to any individual or entity without mandatory verification of medical credentials. However, given the professional nature of the term, registrants were expected to use the domain in a manner consistent with its purpose. The GAC Early Warnings expressed concerns about potential misuse in a regulated field, indicating that additional safeguards might have been developed by the registry.
Can I transfer a .doctor domain between registrars?
Domain transfers for .doctor would have followed standard ICANN inter-registrar transfer policies, provided the domain was not within a 60-day lock period after registration or a previous transfer. The process would require obtaining an authorization code from the current registrar and initiating the transfer request with the gaining registrar. The registry operator might have implemented its own specific transfer rules or fees, which would be detailed in its registry-registrar agreement.
Were there any special objections to the .doctor applications?
Yes, the application from Donuts received a GAC Early Warning from Australia, citing that the TLD refers to a regulated market and the application lacked sufficient mechanisms to prevent consumer harm. Furthermore, the European Commission issued a communiqué flagging both the Donuts and Radix applications, expressing concerns about compatibility with existing EU legislation and policy objectives, although this was outside the formal ICANN objection process.
What dispute resolution policies would apply to .doctor domains?
As a gTLD, .doctor would have been subject to ICANN's mandatory Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) for trademark-based conflicts. Additionally, the registry might have adopted the Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) system for clear-cut cases of trademark infringement. Given the professional context, the registry could have also implemented additional rights protection mechanisms or a sunrise period for trademark holders during the initial launch phase.
Could the registry have imposed content or usage restrictions?
While proposed as an open TLD, the GAC Early Warnings and regulatory concerns indicated that the eventual registry operator might have needed to implement usage policies. These could have included measures to mitigate consumer confusion or harm, potentially requiring accurate WHOIS information or providing a means to report abusive registrations. Any such restrictions would have been outlined in the registry's acceptable use policy and its agreement with ICANN.
