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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.