Chiropractic Assistant Regulation in Arizona

1. Chiropractic Assistant Regulation in Arizona Craig S. Seitz, D.C. Board Chairman

2. Chiropractic Assistant Laws & Rules • Arizona Revised Statute defines the term “Chiropractic Assistant.” • Arizona Administrative Code establishes the training requirements, registration and scope of practice for the Chiropractic Assistant.

3. Chiropractic Assistant Regulation • Chiropractic Assistants must register with the Board. • The C.A. is registered to a specific supervising chiropractor. • The supervising chiropractor is responsible for all acts and omissions of a supervised C.A.

4. C.A. Training Courses • A C.A. must take coursework from a Board-approved chiropractor or facility. • A C.A. must begin coursework within three months of initial employment and complete coursework within one year.

5. C.A. Training Course Providers • A Chiropractor or facility wishing to provide a training course must submit an application, a course syllabus, a sample course attendance sheet and a curriculum vitae. • A Chiropractor sanctioned by the Board may not instruct C.A. training courses for three years after termination of their Order.

6. C.A. Education Requirements • Chiropractic Assistants must complete 24 clock hours of coursework. • The coursework must include four hours in each of the following: • Chiropractic Principles • Management of Common Diseases • History Taking • Record Keeping • Professional Standards of Conduct • CPR

7. Additional Education Requirements • Additional training is required if the supervising chiropractor is certified in acupuncture or physiotherapy. • If the supervising doctor does not have any specialty certificates, the C.A. cannot assist in those areas.

8. Registration • A C.A. must submit a registration form upon completion of the required coursework. • The C.A. must enter the course identification number and the date the course was taken for each subject. • The supervising chiropractor must sign the registration form.

9. Registration Form • This is an example of the current C.A. Registration Form • The Board receives between 300 and 600 C.A. registrations per year.

10. Weaknesses in Current Rule • Board staff cannot ensure that Chiropractic Assistants begin coursework within the required three months. • The scope of practice does not clearly define the practice limitations of a chiropractic assistant. • The rule does not explicitly restrict a person who has a revoked, suspended or denied chiropractic license from being a chiropractic assistant.

11. Proposed Amendments • A proposed amendment will require registration of chiropractic assistants with the Board within seven days of hire and require training to begin within one month of hire. • Another amendment will define the scope of practice of a chiropractic assistant, specify those duties that a chiropractic assistant shall not perform. • Another amendment will restrict a person who has a revoked, suspended or denied license from being a chiropractic assistant.