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Board of Chiropractic Examiners

Revision Date

Agency Contact Information

Board of Chiropractic Examiners

Authority

The Board of Chiropractic Examiners was established in 1921. Current statutory authority is found at A.R.S. §§32-900 through 32-934. Administrative rules are found at A.A.C. §§R4-7-101 et seq.

Function

The Board regulates the chiropractic profession, licenses chiropractors, conducts investigations and hearings, and may suspend or revoke a license. The Board may issue certifications for acupuncture, physical medicine modalities, and therapeutic procedures. The goal of the Board is to protect public health and safety by assuring competency of chiropractic practitioners.

The Board consists of three licensed chiropractors and two consumer members, appointed by the Governor to five-year terms.

History

The Board of Chiropractic Examiners, created by Laws 1921, Chapter 118, consisted of three members, appointed by the Governor to three-year terms. The measure prescribed the powers and duties of the Board, outlined licensing and examination requirements, granted the Board the power to refuse to issue or revoke a license, stipulated grounds for disciplinary actions and established penalties. Certain practitioners were grandfathered and granted a license without having to take an examination, although they were required to pay the license fee of $25. The bill specified that licensed chiropractors could make adjustments of the spinal column, but were prohibited from prescribing medicine or drugs, performing minor or major surgery, or practicing any other branch of medicine, including obstetrics or osteopathy. Practicing naturopathy was prohibited by legislation enacted in 1959.

Laws 1922, Chapter 35 established the State Financial Code, which required Board income from receipts and fees to be paid into the state general fund.

Laws 1958, Chapter 73 provided compensation to Board members of $10 for each day engaged in discharge of Board duties, included reimbursement for mileage, and established a salary of $12,000 per year for the secretary-treasurer. The measure also established the Board of Chiropractic Examiners Fund and required the state treasurer to deposit 90 percent of fees collected by the Board in the BCEF, to be used for payment of salaries and Board expenses. The remaining 10 percent of the amount collected was deposited in the State General Fund. Laws 1977, Chapter 82 prescribed that monies in the BCEF were subject to annual legislative appropriation.

Laws 1959, Chapter 124 modified the amount of compensation for Board members; established age, citizenship and educational requirements for licensure; required the Board to maintain a register of all applicants and exam results; and required licensee information to be recorded in the relevant county of practice.

Laws 1971, Chapter 140 allowed the Board to accept a certificate issued by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners in lieu of a written exam. The Board was also authorized to require an applicant to take an oral and practical exam.

Laws 1976, Chapter 169 increased the number of Board members to five, three chiropractors and two members of the public, appointed to five year terms. The measure also increased fees for applications, licenses and renewals.

Laws 1977, Chapter 145 required the Board to appoint a secretary-treasurer who was not a member of the board to perform administrative functions, authorized the Board to charge additional fees for services requested but not required to be provided, modified requirements pertaining to written exams for licensure, and required licensees to complete at least 24 hours of continuing education per year. The measure also contained statutory provisions relating to operators of x-ray equipment. Note: the provisions related to continuing education were repealed in 1979 and reestablished in 1995. See Laws 1979, Chapter 46 and Laws 1995, Chapter 259.

Laws 1982, Chapter 320 was a sunset continuation bill that continued the Board until July 1, 1992. It made a number of changes to Board duties, licensing requirements and disciplinary actions. The measure also addressed limitations on the practice of chiropractic medicine.

Laws 1989, Chapter 275 established requirements for chiropractic assistants, who must have specific training and work under the supervision of a doctor of chiropractic.

Laws 1990, Chapter 175 made a number changes to chiropractic statutes. It replaced the position of secretary-treasurer with executive director; increased board compensation to $100 per day, plus expenses; provided civil immunity for board members; authorized the Board to conduct criminal history records checks; modified licensing, examination and fee requirements; and revised disciplinary actions.

Laws 1995, Chapter 259 established continuing education requirements (12 hours per year) as a condition of license renewal; modified licensing, examination and reciprocity provisions; and prescribed sanctions that may be issued by the Board after a hearing.

Laws 2002, Chapter 257 modified investigatory practices and actions taken for disciplinary reasons and allowed the Board to approve a request by a licensee to inactivate a current license. The measure also addressed fees, fines and penalties; modified licensing requirements; and revised examination provisions. The measure implemented recommendations made by the Auditor General in the June, 2001 performance audit.

Laws 2004, Chapter 45 increased the number of hours of instruction, from 50 to 100, required to obtain an acupuncture certification. An applicant must also pass a board-approved acupuncture examination.

Laws 2007, Chapter 65 allowed the Board to issue a nondisciplinary order requiring a licensee to complete a prescribed number of continuing education hours in lieu of taking disciplinary action against the licensee.

Laws 2010 Chapter 26 established requirements for business entities that offer chiropractic services to establish written protocols for secure storage, transfer and access of the medical records of the business entity’s patients.

Laws 2015, Chapter 134 allowed the Board to establish fees, prescribed maximum fees, and allowed the Board to issue a license by endorsement if an applicant meets specific circumstances.

Laws 2019, Chapter 195 allowed the Board to authorize its executive director to issue licenses, certifications, registrations, preceptorships, reinstatements and waivers to eligible applicants who meet the requirements identified in statute. The measure also allows the Board to issue temporary licenses of thirty days to qualified applicants who meet statutory requirements. The Board may adopt rules to carry out the new provisions.

A second enactment in 2019 requires the Board to regulate the unauthorized practice of the profession by investigating complaints and referring verified complaints to the county attorney or attorney general for prosecution. See Laws 2019, Chapter 227.

Laws 2021, Chapter 50 is an emergency measure to expand the clinical diagnostic laboratory procedures that a chiropractor can administer. If a chiropractic patient is tested for COVID-19 and the test result is positive, the chiropractor must refer the patient to the patient’s primary care physician or another licensed health care provider for treatment.

Sources

  • Arizona Revised Statutes §§32-900 through 32-934
  • Arizona Administrative Code A.A.C. §§R4-7-101 et seq.
  • Session Laws
    • Laws 1921, Chapter 118
    • Laws 1922, Chapter 35
    • Laws 1958, Chapter 73
    • Laws 1959, Chapter 124
    • Laws 1971, Chapter 140
    • Laws 1976, Chapter 169
    • Laws 1977, Chapter 82 and Chapter 145
    • Laws 1979, Chapter 46
    • Laws 1982, Chapter 320
    • Laws 1989, Chapter 275
    • Laws 1990, Chapter 175
    • Laws 1995, Chapter 259
    • Laws 2002, Chapter 257
    • Laws 2004, Chapter 45
    • Laws 2007, Chapter 65
    • Laws 2010, Chapter 26
    • Laws 2015, Chapter 134
    • Laws 2019, Chapter 195 and Chapter 227
    • Laws 2021, Chapter 50

Board of Chiropractic Examiners website

Arizona Office of the Auditor General, Performance Audit: Board of Chiropractic Examiners, June 2001, Report No. 01-12

Related Collections at Arizona State Archives

  • Record Group 220 – Arizona Board of Chiropractic Examiners