ROAD TO PRACTICE:

ALABAMA

1. Join State Association

The Alabama State Chiropractic Association

Web page link

https://ascachiro.org/

Application

https://ascachiro.org/general/register_member_type.asp?

Membership Fees

Membership Type	Fee
General	$600.00
Part-Time (Less than 20 hours per week)	$100.00
1st Year	$150.00
2nd Year	$150.00
3rd Year	$300.00
Senior (65+)	$300.00
Retired	$28.00
Associate (Practicing out of state)	$100.00
Student	$0.00
Office – CA	$0.00

2. License Requirements

Applying for NBCE Exams

NBCE requirements

Parts I*, II*, III* and IV*: Required – PASSING SCORE IS 375
Physiotherapy*: Required – PASSING SCORE IS 375
Accupuncture*: Required

State Specific Exams

All applicants must pass an examination administered by the Board relating to State Law and Regulations. A passing score of 75 is required. For Application, Licensure, and Verifications contact: angela.johnson@chiro.alabama.gov

Exam Fee: $150.00

Applying for a license

Application Process

All applicants, who graduated from chiropractic college after January 1, 2010, shall have a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university or an academic graduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and evidence of passing a nationally recognized standardized test commensurate with the referenced degree. In addition, the applicant shall be a graduate of a chartered chiropractic school or college accredited by the council of chiropractic education which teaches only -18-4/2024 attendance courses and requires a minimum four-year standard college course. The applicant shall submit an application fee and an examination fee in the amounts set forth by Board Rule. The fees must be in the form of a cashier’s check, bank certified check, or money order only. These fees are non-refundable.

Application Fee: 150.00

Each applicant shall submit a properly completed Alabama Bureau of Investigation (ABI) Form – 46 and required processing fees for a criminal background report. Each applicant shall submit Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprint cards and required processing fees for an FBI criminal background report.

The following must be submitted to the Board directly from the respective institution, organization or state licensing agency:

A wallet or passport size photograph.
A certified transcript of the applicant’s college grades showing graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree.
A certified transcript of the applicant’s chiropractic college grades showing graduation from an approved chiropractic college.
A certified copy of the applicant’s transcript of scores of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners showing the applicant has passed the necessary examinations administered/required by that Board.
Verification(s) of licensure (out of state license holders only).
Verification that the applicant is a citizen of or is legally present in the United States by submitting any of the form(s) or type(s) of documentation specified on the application.

License Application Link: https://www.alabamainteractive.org/asbce/disclaimer_input.action

State Scope of Practice

May examine, analyze and diagnose the human body and its diseases by the use of any physical, clinical, thermal, or radonic method, and the use of X-ray diagnosing, and may use other general methods of examination for diagnosis and analysis taught in any school of chiropractic recognized by this board. May recommend the use of food and concentrates, food extracts, and may apply first aid. Chiropractors are expressly prohibited from prescribing or administering any drugs included in materia medica, except as herein provided, from performing obstetrics, or from giving treatments involving the use of radioactive materials.

Continuing Education

A minimum of 18 hours of continuing education as approved by the Alabama State Board of Chiropractic Examiners is required annually for license renewal. The hours must be completed between October 1 and September 30th of each year to renew.

All licensees must obtain two (2) hours per year in Alabama Law and Board Rules and Regulations as part of the minimum 18 per year. New licensees must obtain four (4) hours prior to first license renewal and 2 hours per year for each renewal after that. All clinic owners with a Non-Licensed Practice Permit must obtain two (2) hours per year in Alabama Law as part of the permit renewal.

Note: For a list of approved seminars (distance based and in person) please use the search at this link:

https://www.alabamainteractive.org/asbce/seminar/seminarSearch_input.action

NO MORE THAN 1/3 (6 HOURS) PER YEAR MAY BE OBTAINED IN A DISTANCE BASED FORMAT.

3. Getting Your NPI Number

(New Practioner Identification) Number

Step by step instructions

https://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/apply_npi_instructions.pdf

4. Obtaining an EIN

(Employer Identification Number)

Step by step instructions

https://sa.www4.irs.gov/modiein/individual/index.jsp

Note: This is your tax ID number as a practitioner

TYPE OF BUSINESS BREAKDOWN

Business Structure	Ownership	Liability	Taxes
Sole Proprietorship	One person	Unlimited personal liability	Personal tax only
Partnership	Two or more persons	Unlimited personal liability unless structured as a limited partnership	Self-employment tax (except for limited partnership), Personal tax
Limited Liability Company (LLC)	Two or more persons	Owners are not personally liable	Self-employment tax, Personal tax or Corporate tax
Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC)	Two or more persons	Owners are not personally liable	Self-employment tax, Personal tax or Corporate tax
Corporation – C Corp	One or more persons	Owners are not personally liable	Corporate tax
Corporation – S Corp	One or more persons, but no more than 100 and all must be US citizens	Owners are not personally liable	Personal tax
Corporation – B Corp	One or more persons	Owners are not personally liable	Corporate tax
Corporation – Nonprofit	One or more persons	Owners are not personally liable	Tax-exempt, but corporate can’t be distributed

Note: The difference between an LLC and a PLLC is that all members of PLLC are required to be designated professionals.

What is an Associate?

An associate receives pay from the office by which they are employed. If you are an associate who will be dealing with vendors for selling goods, you should consider getting an EIN.

What is an independent Contractor?

An independent contractor receives pay from their patients and insurance companies directly. If you are an independent contractor, you need an EIN.

5. Obtaining Malpractice Insurance

Malpractice Insurance Providers

Note: This list may not be a fully comprehensive list of ALL Malpractice Insurance providers. Be sure to check if the provider you choose is licensed to cover you in your state.

NCMIC – https://www.ncmic.com/malpractice-insurance/how-to-apply-online/
OUM – https://www.oumchiropractor.com/quote/apply
ChiroSecure – https://www.chirosecure.com
PRI – https://www.pri.com/who-we-serve/chiropractors
General Liability Insurance – https://generalliabilityinsure.com/small-business/chiropractic-insurance.html
ChiroFuture – https://chirofutures.org/online-quote/
SDN Insurance – http://sdnins.com/chiropractor.html
CoverMD – http://www.covermd.com/chiropractor-malpractice-insurance.aspx
Insureon – https://alliedhealth.insureon.com/resources/cost/chiropractic
MBS Insurance Services – https://www.mbsinsure.com/solutions/malpractice-insurance/
USA Business Insurance – https://www.businessinsuranceusa.com/chiropractor-professional-liability-insurance
CM&F – https://www.cmfgroup.com/professional-liability-insurance/chiropractic-assistant-insurance/
MACARIO Insurance Group – https://www.macarioinsurance.com/who-we-cover/all-classes-of-business/
Chiroprefered – https://chiropreferred.com/find-the-right-coverage

What To Consider When Selecting A Plan

Claims Made

A policy providing coverage that is triggered when a claim is made against the insured during the policy period, regardless of when the wrongful act that gave rise to the claim took place. (The one exception is when a retroactive date is applicable to a claims-made policy.)

Occurrence

An occurrence policy covers claims resulting from an injury or another event that occurs during the policy term. Coverage depends on the timing of the event. A claims-made policy covers claims that are made during the policy period.

Tail Coverage

An addition to a claims-made policy. It extends coverage for incidents that happened during the time you had your policy, but a claim was not filed until after your policy expired or was canceled. Tail coverage is another name for an extended reporting period.

Note: $1 Million/$3 Million is the minimum plan required in order to participate with some Insurance Companies.