South Carolina
Chiropractic Information
South Carolina Chiropractic Summary
The South Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners licenses and regulates Chiropractors and the practice of chiropractic in the state of South Carolina.
The practice of chiropractic is defined as the spinal analysis of any interference with normal nerve transmission and expression, and by adjustment to the articulations of the vertebral column and its immediate articulations for the restoration and maintenance of health and the normal regimen and rehabilitation of the patient without the use of drugs or surgery.
Licensing Requirements
Post-Licensing Education
Continuing Education requirements
As a pre-requisite for biennial renewal of a license, the licensee must complete biennially a minimum of thirty-six (36) hours of accepted professional continuing education. A maximum of 18 hours can be obtained through distance learning programs. Link: https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/ce.aspx
requirements for educators
All sponsors seeking approval for their educational programs must submit a written request to the Board Administrator at least ninety (90) days prior to the scheduled date of the presentation. Link: https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/ce.aspx
Are PACE courses accepted for continuing education requirements?
YES
South Carolina requires examinations through the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Physiotherapy
State Chiropractic Online Resources
Chiropractic Statutes and Regulations
Chiropractic Examiners Practice Act, Chapter 9 https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c009.php
Chiropractic Examiners Regulations, Chapter 25 https://www.scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/Chapter%2025.pdf
Title 40 – Professions and Occupations
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c001.php
Definition of Practice: https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/pracdef.aspx
Scope of Practice: https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/scope.aspx
Intramuscular Therapy Position Statement: https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/Policies/IMT-DryNeediling-PositionStatement.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
State Chiropractic Coverage
Worker’s Compensation
South Carolina Worker’s Compensation Commission: https://www.wcc.sc.gov/
Workers Comp Fee Schedule: https://www.wcc.sc.gov/medical-fee-schedules
Medical Provider Resources: https://www.wcc.sc.gov/medical-provider-resources
Medicaid
South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: https://www.scdhhs.gov/
Medicaid Fee Schedule: https://www.scdhhs.gov/providers/fee-schedules
Practice Options
| Perform extremity adjustments? | Y |
| Provide nutritional advice? | Y |
| Provide manipulation under anesthesia? | N/A |
| 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? | Y1 |
| Treat animals? | Y2 |
| Perform acupuncture? | Y3 |
| Perform dry needling? | Y |
| Perform intraoral TMJ treatments? | Y |
| Perform internal coccyx adjustments? | Y |
| Are there limits to body areas DCs are allowed to examine and/or treat? | Y4 |
| Are there limits on diagnostic tools DCs are allowed to use? | Y5 |
| Perform venipuncture? | N |
| Perform casting? | N/A |
Qualifications:
1. A chiropractor can perform a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical exam if they are a certified medical examiner (CME) listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) National Registry.
2. Requires a referral from and indirect supervision from a veterinarian.
3. Must be licensed through the Acupuncture Licensing Board.
4. Chiropractors are prohibited from the use of diagnostic or therapeutic procedures that include the use of drugs, surgery, cauterization, desiccation or coagulation of tissues, rectal examinations, gynecological examinations, obstetrics, catherization with a needle, injecting of dyes for radiological procedures, lumbar puncture to obtain spinal fluid, treatment of cancer or x-ray therapy. Link: https://llr.sc.gov/chiro/scope.aspx
5. Chiropractors are prohibited from the use of diagnostic or therapeutic procedures that include the use of drugs, surgery, cauterization, desiccation or coagulation of tissues, rectal examinations, gynecological examinations, obstetrics, catherization with a needle, injecting of dyes for radiological procedures, lumbar puncture to obtain spinal fluid, treatment of cancer or x-ray therapy.