Arkansas
Chiropractic Information
Arkansas Chiropractic Summary
Chiropractic practice in Arkansas is governed by the Arkansas State Board of Chiropractic Examiners (ASBCE). The ASBCE is responsible for licensing chiropractors, developing and enforcing chiropractic practice standards, and investigating complaints against chiropractors.
Chiropractors in Arkansas are licensed to practice therapy, rehabilitation, and other treatments to help patients recover from injuries, deformities, or abnormalities without using drugs or surgery.
Licensing Requirements
RECIPROCITY: The Board may at its discretion, issue a temporary license to a Doctor of Chiropractic who holds a current license in another state, to practice in Arkansas until his next scheduled examination and exempt him/her from any supervisory requirement.
Post-Licensing Education
Continuing Education requirements
24 required per year. Max 12 via distance learning.
Link: https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/asbce-continuing-education
requirements for educators
Courses must not be offered by a group or commercial enterprise which primarily promotes specific products, services, or equipment.
Link: https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/asbce-continuing-education
Are PACE courses accepted for continuing education requirements?
NO
Arkansas requires examinations through the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV (minimum score of 375), and Physiological Therapeutic
State Chiropractic Online Resources
Regulatory Authority
Arkansas Department of Health/State Board of Chiropractic Examiners https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/arkansas-state-board-of-chiropractic-examiners
Chiropractic Statutes and Regulations
Arkansas State Board of Chiropractic Examiners Statutes and Rules
Link: https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/pdf/Statutes_RulesFINAL_02-10-2021.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
Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing/Workers Compensation Commission https://www.labor.arkansas.gov/workers-comp/
Arkansas Workers Comp FAQ: https://www.labor.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/laqabrochure.pdf
Arkansas Workers Comp Rules: https://www.labor.arkansas.gov/workers-comp/awcc-rules-advisories-medical-fees/awcc-rules/
Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing/Medical Fee Schedule https://www.labor.arkansas.gov/workers-comp/awcc-rules-advisories-medical-fees/arkansas-medical-fee-schedule/
Medicaid
State Medicaid Website: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/divisions-shared-services/medical-services/
State Medicaid Health Care Programs: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/divisions-shared-services/medical-services/healthcare-programs/
State Medicaid Provider Manual for Chiropractic: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/divisions-shared-services/medical-services/helpful-information-for-providers/manuals/chiro-prov/
State Medicaid Fee Schedule: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/divisions-shared-services/medical-services/helpful-information-for-providers/fee-schedules/
Practice Options
Perform extremity adjustments? | Y |
Provide nutritional advice? | Y |
Provide manipulation under anesthesia? | N |
Provide school enrollment exams? | Y |
Provide sports physical exams? | Y |
Provide provide return to play exams (including concussion protocol) for sports participation? | Y1 |
Perform US Department of Transportation exams? | Y |
Treat animals? | Y2 |
Perform acupuncture? | Y3 |
Perform dry needling? | N |
Perform intraoral TMJ treatments? | N |
Perform internal coccyx adjustments? | N |
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? | Y |
Perform casting? | Y6 |
Qualifications:
1. Only if the DC took them out of the sport. If an MD took them out of the sport, then a DC cannot provide the return to play exam unless they have a separate certification for that specific training.
2. Any chiropractor licensed in this state and certified by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association may perform chiropractic upon animals according to Ark. Code Ann. § 17-101-307.
3. Prior to any chiropractic physician engaging in the practice of acupuncture/meridian therapy, said physician shall be required to submit to the Board of Examiners a certificate of completion of one-hundred (100) hour’s instruction in acupuncture/meridian therapy.
4. DCs are not permitted to perform breast, testicular, or gynecological exams.
5. They can order tests, they cannot perform them.
6. Sprains and uncomplicated fractures.