OAR 811-010-0110: Chiropractic Assistants

(1) The certification period for chiropractic assistants in Oregon is a period equal to 12 months, expiring on the last day of the chiropractic assistant's birth month/renewal date. (2) Chiropractic assistants may be certified upon compliance with the following: (a) The chiropractic assistant applicant shall successfully complete a Board approved training course. The initial training course shall be at least twelve hours in length, of which eight hours shall be didactic training and four hours shall be practical training. (A) The didactic training must be administered by an independently licensed health care provider whose scope of practice encompasses topics within the curriculum as outlined in the OBCE CA initial training syllabus. (B) The practical training must be administered by an independently licensed health care provider whose scope of practice includes physiotherapy, electrotherapy, and hydrotherapy. (C) A chiropractic physician may perform the initial practical training provided this is direct contact time. (D) The initial training must be completed within 60 days preceding the application submission date. (b) The applicant shall complete an application packet, and an open book examination administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE). (c) If an applicant has a certificate or license from another state and adequate documentation of training, the OBCE may waive the requirement for the initial training course. (d) Per OAR 811-010-0045, chiropractic students applying to become certified chiropractic assistants shall submit official transcripts to the OBCE showing a passing grade of physiological therapeutic coursework from an approved institution, in lieu of initial training and the NBCE chiropractic assistant examination. (3) For approval of initial certification, the following fees shall be submitted: (a) A non-refundable examination fee to be paid to the NBCE; and (b) A non-refundable application fee and an initial certification fee to be paid to the OBCE. (A) A refund of the certification fee will only be allowed when requested within 60 days of the initial application review date. (B) In circumstances beyond the applicant’s control, the OBCE may determine to refund the fees or portion thereof. (4) Applications will not be fully processed until determined complete by the OBCE. (a) The OBCE shall maintain an incomplete application for six months from the date the application was reviewed; afterward, applicants will need to re-apply. (b) Passing NBCE examination scores are valid for one year from the date the initial application was reviewed, not from the date the application was received. (5) A certificate holder must be at least 18 years of age. (6) A chiropractic assistant shall not perform direct patient care until they are certified by the OBCE. (7) A chiropractic assistant shall be directly supervised by a licensed chiropractic physician at all times. The supervising licensed chiropractic physician must be on the premises. (8) Supervised chiropractic assistants may perform or provide physiotherapy, electrotherapy and hydrotherapy, the taking of vitals such as height, weight, blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respiration and/or body fat percentages, and other duties as described by the Board. (9) Chiropractic assistants may not perform or provide physical examinations, take initial histories, interpret postural screening, perform manual muscle testing, or osseous adjustments or manipulations, or other tasks as prohibited by the Board. (10) Chiropractic assistants must be licensed by the Oregon Board of Medical Imaging to perform x-rays. (11) Chiropractic assistants shall report to the OBCE using the online system, their mailing address and place of employment. Notification of a change of mailing address or place of employment must be made within 30 days of the change. (12) At least 30 days prior to the renewal date, the OBCE shall send the renewal notice to the chiropractic assistant at the last known mailing address and/or email address. (13) On or before the last day of the birth month, the chiropractic assistant shall submit to the OBCE the following: (a) An attestation that the six hours of continuing education has been completed within the immediate 12 months prior to renewal date; (b) As part of the annual registration, all licensees must complete the required health care workforce data survey and pay the fee established by the Oregon Health Authority pursuant to ORS 676.410; and (c) A completed renewal application and renewal fee. (A) The renewal application may include a request for fingerprinting and a criminal background check with fees to be paid to the OBCE. (B) Frequency of fingerprinting and criminal background checks will be determined by the Board. (14) Chiropractic assistants have a 30-day grace period immediately following the renewal date, during which the chiropractic assistant may continue to perform assigned duties, but must submit a completed renewal application, proof of continuing education, and payment of the renewal fee plus a delinquent fee. (15) After the 30-day grace period, the chiropractic assistant shall not perform assigned duties until the renewal application, proof of continuing education, payment to the OBCE of the renewal fee and a delinquent fee are all submitted to the OBCE and approved. (16) A chiropractic assistant has up to one year following their renewal date to renew and reinstate their certificate upon meeting the provisions of (14) and (15) above. After 12 months, a person shall reapply. (17) Continuing education programs may be comprised of subjects that are pertinent to clinical practices of chiropractic. Continuing education must meet the criteria outlined in OAR 811-015-0025. No continuing education hours may be carried over into the next renewal year. Evidence of successful completion of six hours of continuing education during the 12 months preceding the renewal shall be submitted upon request by the OBCE. (18) The Board may refuse to grant a certificate to any applicant, may suspend or revoke a certificate, or may impose upon an applicant for certification or chiropractic assistant a civil penalty. (19) Certified chiropractic assistants must not engage in unprofessional conduct as defined in OAR 811-035-0015 in its entirety. (20) Violations committed by a certified chiropractic assistant may be grounds for disciplinary action against the supervising chiropractic physician under ORS 684.100.