Colorado
Chiropractic Information
Colorado Chiropractic Summary
Chiropractic practice in Colorado is governed by the Colorado Board of Examiners. The Colorado Board of Chiropractic Examiners regulates individual chiropractors and chiropractic licenses. A licensed chiropractor may hold three (3) different authorities: acupuncture, electrotherapy, and animal, in conjunction with his or her chiropractic license.
In Colorado, chiropractors are licensed to perform a variety of procedures, including acupuncture, electrotherapy, dry needling, nutritional remedial measures, and venipuncture.
Licensing Requirements
RECIPROCITY: Successfully passing the SPEC exam within two years preceding an application may be used in lieu of state practical exam requirement.
Post-Licensing Education
Continuing Education requirements
30 required every 2 years. Max 10 via asynchronous distance learning. 4 hours of recordkeeping and documentation and CPR mandatory.
requirements for educators
CE must have as its primary objective the increase of professional competence, and include scientific clinics, forums, or chiropractic educational study consisting of subjects basic to the field of the healing arts. Licensees are responsible for ensuring that CE courses comply with requirements. The Board does not pre-approve CE courses, curriculum or programs. Link: https://dpo.colorado.gov/Chiropractic/CE
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, and Physiotherapy
Link: HERE
State Chiropractic Online Resources
Chiropractic Statutes and Regulations
Colorado Board of Chiropractic Examiners Rules and Regulations
Link: HERE
Colorado Board of Chiropractic Examiners Practice Act and Laws
Link: https://dpo.colorado.gov/Chiropractic/Laws
Colorado Board of Chiropractic Examiners Policies
Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t6YtU1i6yhzs_79xyiSogiwvG8rW2TaK/view?usp=sharing
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
Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
https://cdle.colorado.gov/dwc
Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Workers’ Compensation Rules of Procedure
https://cdle.colorado.gov/sites/cdle/files/documents/Rule_18_Medical_Fee_Schedule_2021_Adopted.pdf
Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Workers’ Compensation Fee Schedule
https://cdle.colorado.gov/dwc/medical-providers/fee-schedule-rule-18
Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Workers’ Compensation Fee Schedule Provider Education
https://cdle.colorado.gov/dwc/medical-providers/provider-education
Medicaid
State Medicaid Website: https://hcpf.colorado.gov/
State Medicaid Fee Schedule: https://hcpf.colorado.gov/provider-rates-fee-schedule
State Medicaid Provider Training: https://hcpf.colorado.gov/provider-training
Practice Options
| Perform extremity adjustments? | Y |
| Provide nutritional advice? | Y |
| Provide manipulation under anesthesia? | Y1 |
| Provide school enrollment exams? | Y |
| Provide sports physical exams? | Y |
| Provide return to play exams (including concussion protocol) for sports participation? | N/A |
| Perform US Department of Transportation exams? | Y |
| Treat animals? | Y2 |
| Perform acupuncture? | Y3 |
| Perform dry needling? | Y4 |
| Perform intraoral TMJ treatments? | Y |
| Perform internal coccyx adjustments? | N/A |
| 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? | Y |
| Perform casting? | N/A |
Qualifications:
1. Thirty-six (36) hours of didactic and clinical training, successful completion of a competency examination, and nationally recognized certification.
2. Chiropractors must be registered as animal chiropractors in the state.
3. Chiropractors must be certified by the Colorado Board of Chiropractic Examiners to practice acupuncture
4. Must complete a dry needling course of study and meet board requirements.
https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=5187#:~:text=not%20limited%20to:-,a.,f.
5. DCs are not allowed to treat the disease of cancer, obstetrics, surgery, etc.
https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=5187#:~:text=not%20limited%20to:-,a.,f.