ROAD TO PRACTICE:

delaware

1. Join State Association

Delaware Chiropractic Society

Web page link

https://www.dechiro.com/

Application

https://www.dechiro.com/membership/

Membership Fees:

Membership Type Fee
Student $50.00
1st Year in Practice, Out-of-State, Retired $150.00
Full Membership $300.00

2. License Requirements

Applying for NBCE Exams

NBCE requirements

IF you graduated… THEN the NBCE score report must show that you passed these exam Parts:
On or after July 1, 1997 I, II, III, IV, and physiotherapy
After Jan. 31, 1991 but before July 31, 1997 I, II, III
Before Jan. 31, 1991 I, II, III or I, II, and Special Purpose Exam for Chiropractors (SPEC)
State Specific Exams

None

Applying for a license

License application checklist:  https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/chiropractic/newlicense/

Application Fee: $196.00

State Scope of Practice

Contact State for precise definition by state law.

(a) “Chiropractic” means a drugless system of health care based on the principle that interference with the transmission of nerve impulses may cause disease. (b) The practice of chiropractic includes, but is not limited to, the diagnosing and locating of misaligned or displaced vertebrae (subluxation complex), using x-rays and other diagnostic test procedures. Practice of chiropractic includes the treatment through manipulation/adjustment of the spine and other skeletal structures and the use of adjunctive procedures not otherwise prohibited by this chapter. (c) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the practice of chiropractic does not include the use of drugs, surgery or obstetrical or gynecological examinations or treatment. (d) All examinations performed by chiropractors shall be in accordance with the protocol and procedures as taught in the majority of accredited chiropractic colleges.

Continuing Education

The amount of CE that you are required to complete depends on when your license was issued during the full licensure period. If this is your first renewal, and your license was issued during the:

  • first year of the renewal period, July 1-December 31 of the even year, you must complete 24 CE hours
  • first year of the renewal period, January 1-June 30 of the odd year, you must complete 18 CE hours
  • second year of the renewal period, July 1-December 31 of the odd year, you must complete 12 CE hours
  • second year of the renewal period, January 1-June 30 of the even year, you are not required to complete CE hours

Chiropractors must complete 24 hours of approved CE during each full licensure renewal period between July 1 and June 30 even-numbered years (2018-2020, etc.).  At least 3 hours of CE must contain ethics, recordkeeping, or risk management. For complete information on the CE requirements, see Section 2.0 of the Board’s Rules and Regulations.

3. Getting Your NPI Number

(New Practioner Identification) Number

4. Obtaining an EIN

(Employer Identification Number)

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

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.

6. Participating with Insurance Providers

Note: Before starting a practice in an area, check to see whether the Insurance Companies are accepting new providers.
Participating with a provider
Medicare Participation

Medicaid Participation

Worker’s compensation