Washington
Chiropractic Information
Washington Chiropractic Summary
Chiropractic practice in Washington state is governed by the Washington State Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission (CQAC). The CQAC is responsible for licensing chiropractors, developing and enforcing chiropractic practice standards, and investigating complaints against chiropractors.
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
Post-Licensing Education
Continuing Education requirements
WA doesn't have requirements for educators
Process an educational provider needs to follow in order for a CE course to be approved
Are PACE courses accepted for continuing education requirements?
Yes (qualified)
Washington requires examinations through the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Examinations—Subjects—Grades
State Chiropractic Online Resources
Regulatory Authority
Chiropractic Statutes and Regulations
- Chiropractic defined (scope of practice)
- Administrative rules
- WA State Chiropractic Scope of Practice
- WA State Chiropractic Statutes
- WA State Administrative Code (Rules)
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
Washington State Chiropractic Association
State Chiropractic Coverage
Worker’s Compensation Programs
- Become a provider for injured workers
- Chiropractic care and evaluation for injured workers
- Duties of attending physician for injured workers
- Independent medical exam rules for injured workers
- Labor & Industries Industrial Insurance Chiropractic Advisory Committee
- Medical aid rules for providers treating injured workers
- Medical benefits for injured workers
- Radiology,physical therapy,radiation therapy
- Reimbursement policies: Psychiatric services,biofeedback,chiropractic,drugless therapeutics and nursing — Drugless therapeutics,etc. for providers of injured workers
- WA State Department of Labor & Industries-Chiropractic Services,hospital,nuclear medicine,pathology,physical medicine providers of injured workers
General Chiropractic Services/Information
- Industrial Insurance Chiropractic Advisory Committee
- General statute for chiropractic access for injured workers
Provider Network
- Medical Provider Network Lookup report
- Worker Compensation (Labor & Industries) Provider Network Search
- Worker Compensation Chiropractic Consultant Program for Chiropractors
Fee Schedule
Medicaid Programs
State Medicaid Benefits
State Medicaid Fee Schedule
Medicaid fee schedule (Currently benefits are limited to children’s chiropractic services. Adult services will not begin until 1/1/2025)
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 provide return to play exams (including concussion protocol) for sports participation? | N |
| Perform US Department of Transportation exams? | N |
| Perform venipuncture? | N |
| Have obstetric privileges? | N |
| Have minor surgical procedures? | N |
| Treat animals? | N* |
| 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? | Y* |
| Are there limits on diagnostic tools DCs are allowed to use? | Y* |
| Perform casting? | N/A |
| Are DCs allowed prescription rights? | N |
