Washington
Chiropractic Information
Washington Chiropractic Summary
Washington chiropractors are licensed to diagnose and treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system and nervous system. They may use a variety of techniques, including chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue mobilization, and rehabilitative exercises. Chiropractors in Washington are prohibited from prescribing drugs or performing surgery.
Licensing Requirements
* The word doctor or “Dr.” or physician may be used only in conjunction with the word “chiropractic” or “chiropractor”.
Post-Licensing Education
Continuing Education requirements
25 hours required every year. Max 12 hours may be earned online.
Link: HERE
requirements for educators
The Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission (commission) recognizes the Provider Approved Continuing Education (PACE) program in the effort to maintain high standards of continuing education (CE).
Are PACE courses accepted for continuing education requirements?
YES
Washington requires examinations through the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV – Required
State Chiropractic Online Resources
Chiropractic Statutes and Regulations
Chiropractic defined (scope of practice)
WA State Chiropractic Scope of Practice
WA State Chiropractic Statutes
WA State Administrative Code (Rules)
Regulation of Health Professions – Uniform Disciplinary Act
Rebating By Practitioners of Healing Professions
Abuse of Children and Adult Dependent Persons
Medical Records-Health Care Information Access and Disclosure
Prescription Monitoring Program
Administrative Procedures and Requirements for Credentialed Health Care Providers
Whistleblower Complaints in Health Care Settings
Standards of professional conduct
WA Disciplinary Code for all health professions
State Government Resources
State Legislature Homepage
State Legislature Bill Search Tool
Legislative member roster
State Governor's Office
Secretary of State
Office of the Insurance Commissioner
State Associations
State Chiropractic Coverage
Worker’s Compensation
Labor & Industries Industrial Insurance Chiropractic Advisory Committee
Duties of attending physician for injured workers
Medical aid rules for providers treating injured workers
Become a provider for injured workers
Medical benefits for injured workers
Independent medical exam rules for injured workers
WA State Department of Labor & Industries-Chiropractic Services
Industrial Insurance Chiropractic Advisory Committee
General statute for chiropractic access for injured workers
Medical Provider Network Lookup report
Worker Compensation (Labor & Industries) Provider Network Search
Worker Compensation Chiropractic Consultant Program for Chiropractors
Practice Options
| Perform extremity adjustments? | Y |
| Provide nutritional advice? | Y |
| Provide manipulation under anesthesia? | N |
| Provide school enrollment exams? | N |
| Provide sports physical exams? | N |
| Provide return to play exams (including concussion protocol) for sports participation? | N |
| Perform US Department of Transportation exams? | N |
| Treat animals? | N1 |
| Perform acupuncture? | N |
| Perform dry needling? | N |
| Perform intraoral TMJ treatments? | N/A |
| Perform internal coccyx adjustments? | N |
| Are there limits to body areas DCs are allowed to examine and/or treat? | Y2 |
| Are there limits on diagnostic tools DCs are allowed to use? | Y3 |
| Perform venipuncture? | N |
| Perform casting? | N/A |
Qualifications:
1. If the chiropractor doesn’t take a fee, or compensation of any kind, they may provide adjustments to animals.
2. Chiropractic care shall not include the prescription or dispensing of any medicine or drug, the practice of obstetrics or surgery, the use of x-rays or any other form of radiation for therapeutic purposes, colonic irrigation, or any form of venipuncture. Link: HERE
3. STATUTE
WAC 246-808-505
Classification of chiropractic procedures and instrumentation.
(1) Procedures, instruments for treatment and/or diagnostic evaluation used by a doctor of chiropractic shall be classified by the commission as follows:
(a) “Approved”: A procedure or instrument which is taught by a commission approved chiropractic college for patient clinical application and not for research or experimental purposes and is allowable by statute. All factors listed under subsection (4) of this section shall be considered before a procedure or instrument is placed in the approved classification.
(b) “Nonapproved or experimental”: Any procedure or instrument that does not meet with commission approval. A procedure or instrument in this classification shall pass further testing in the laboratory before it can be used on the public. These may be defined by previous declaratory rules or rules and regulations.
(c) “Research or investigational”: A procedure or instrumentation that is not approved, but may have a positive benefit in the diagnosis or care of a patient’s condition. No billing is allowed for procedures or instruments used under this classification.
(2) The commission shall maintain a classified list of chiropractic procedures and instrumentation. The list shall be made available upon request.
(3) A doctor who intends to use a new procedure or instrument in practice shall notify the commission to determine the classification of the procedure or instrument. If the procedure or instrument is not classified or if new information on a previously classified procedure or instrument is available, the doctor shall:
(a) Provide the commission with supporting documentation concerning the use of such a procedure or instrumentation;
(b) Demonstrate sufficient additional training or study for the doctor and utilizing staff to properly use the procedure or instrumentation.
(4) The commission may use the following factors to determine the classification of the procedure or instrumentation, and shall notify the doctor of such classification:
(a) The new procedure or instrument is taught at an approved chiropractic college.
(b) There is a scientific basis for the new procedure or instrument.
(c) The procedure or instrument has a direct and positive relationship to chiropractic care.
(d) Comparison of potential risk to benefit to the patient.
(e) Any other factors the commission may wish to consider.
