Final answer:
A regulatory statute is designed to protect the public against dishonest or incompetent practitioners.
Step-by-step explanation:
A statute that is designed to protect the public against dishonest or incompetent practitioners can be called regulatory in nature. Regulatory statutes are put in place to establish rules and regulations that govern specific industries or professions in order to protect the public interest. These statutes often require practitioners to obtain licenses, adhere to professional standards, and may include penalties for non-compliance.