Kentucky
Chiropractic Information
Kentucky Chiropractic Summary
The Kentucky Board of Chiropractic Examiners regulates the practice and licensure of chiropractic in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The Board grants initial licensure to qualified chiropractors and oversees the annual renewal of licenses. The board recognizes many specialties under the American Board of Chiropractic Specialties.
In our scope of practice:
(3) Subject to the limitations of subsection (4) of this section “chiropractor” means one qualified by experience and training and licensed by the board to diagnose his patients and to treat those of his patients diagnosed as having diseases or disorders relating to subluxations of the articulations of the human spine and its adjacent tissues by indicated adjustment or manipulation of those subluxations and by applying methods of treatment designed to augment those adjustments or manipulation. The terms “chiropractic,” “doctor of chiropractic,” and “chiropractor” shall be synonymous, and shall be construed to mean a practitioner of chiropractic as defined in this section.
Licensing Requirements
Post-Licensing Education
Continuing Education requirements
12 hours required every year. 12 hours allowed online
requirements for educators
Continuing education shall be approved by the board, or by a committee designated by the board to act between sessions of the board. To approve programs as proposed, click here.
https://kbce.ky.gov/newstatic_Info.aspx?static_ID=427&menuid=122
Are PACE courses accepted for continuing education requirements?
PACE Pre-check is required for all online courses. PACE is not required for in-person courses. A PACE certificate is NOT required for either in-person or online. All CE courses must still be approved by the KBCE.
Kentucky requires examinations through the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV
State Chiropractic Online Resources
Regulatory Authority
Kentucky Board of Examiners:
https://kbce.ky.gov/
Chiropractic Statutes and Regulations
Kentucky Board of Chiropractic Examiners Laws and Regulations
Link: https://kbce.ky.gov/Documents/KBCE%20Law%20and%20Regulations%20Oct.%202023.pdf
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
Kentucky Association of Chiropractors
Kentucky Chiropractic Society
1525 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40205
(502) 454-5000
Kentucky Chiropractic Association
415 Cardinal Dr, Elizabethtown, KY 42701
(866) 374-5736
State Chiropractic Coverage
Worker’s Compensation
Kentucky Department of Workers’ Compensation: https://elc.ky.gov/Workers-Compensation/Pages/default.aspx
Kentucky DOWC Medical Services: https://elc.ky.gov/Workers-Compensation/Pages/Medical-Services.aspx
Kentucky Fee Schedule – must be purchased; scroll down page to order: https://elc.ky.gov/Workers-Compensation/Pages/Medical-Services.aspx
Medicaid
Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services: https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/Pages/default.aspx
Kentucky Department for Medicaid Provider Information: https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/provider/Pages/default.aspx
Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services Covered: https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/dpo/bpb/Pages/chiropractor.aspx
Kentucky Medicaid Fee Schedules: https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/Pages/feesrates.aspx
Practice Options
| Perform extremity adjustments? | Y |
| Provide nutritional advice? | Y1 |
| Provide manipulation under anesthesia? | Y2 |
| Provide school enrollment exams? | Y |
| Provide sports physical exams? | Y |
| Provide return to play exams (including concussion protocol) for sports participation? | N |
| Perform US Department of Transportation exams? | Y3 |
| Treat animals? | N |
| Perform acupuncture? | N |
| Perform dry needling? | Y4 |
| Perform intraoral TMJ treatments? | Y |
| Perform internal coccyx adjustments? | Y |
| Are there limits to body areas DCs are allowed to examine and/or treat? | Y5 |
| Are there limits on diagnostic tools DCs are allowed to use? | N/A |
| Perform venipuncture? | N |
| Perform casting? | Y6 |
1. Must be related to the spine.
2. The chiropractor must be within their scope of practice and must have proper training
3. Can perform with additional training and certification.
4. Must be able to prove competencies.
5. DCs are not allowed to treat contagious or communicable diseases, cancer, perform surgery, treat sing acupuncture, or administer prescription drugs or controlled substances. Link: https://kbce.ky.gov/Documents/KBCE_LawandRegulationsBooklet.pdf
6. The chiropractor must be within their scope of practice and must have proper training.
