COLORADO STATE BOARD OF CHIROPRACTIC EXAMINERS

Our mission: To protect the public by promoting excellence in chiropractic regulation through service to our member boards

Our vision: The FCLB is the premier international resource for information and consolidated services for ensuring the safe, ethical practice of chiropractic

COLORADO STATE BOARD OF CHIROPRACTIC EXAMINERS

District 4
License Date:   N/A
FCLB Member:   Yes
Website:   https://dpo.colorado.gov/Chiropractic
 
License Verification:   
Regulatory Language:   
The Federation does not provide interpretation of the scope of practice laws or rules of any chiropractic licensing authority, nor can we provide specific details regarding licensing requirements. The educational and testing requirements for each State or Province set forth in this Directory are intended as a general guide. It is strongly recommended that anyone interested in becoming licensed in a particular State or Province contact the Board office or the Secretary of the respective board to secure current and complete details before matriculating in any school.

Scope

(Contact State for precise definition by state law)
Chiropractic means that branch of the Healing Arts which is based on the premise that disease is attributable to the abnormal functioning of the human nervous system. It includes the diagnosing and analyzing of human ailments and seeks the elimination of the abnormal functioning of the human nervous system by the adjustment or manipulation, by hand, of the articulations and adjacent tissue of the human body, particularly the spinal column, and the usage as indicated of procedures which facilitate and make the adjustment or manipulation more effective, and the use of sanitary hygienic, nutritional, and physical remedial measures necessary to such practice. "Chiropractic" does not include colonic irrigation therapy. "Chiropractic" does include the use of venipuncture for diagnostic purposes; and, treatment by acupuncture when performed by an appropriately trained Chiropractor as determined by the Colorado State Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Electrotherapy means the application of any radiant or current energies of high or low frequency, alternating or direct, except surgical cauterization, electrocoagulation, the use of radium in any form, and X-ray therapy, by a trained Doctor of Chiropractic who has fulfilled the educational and licensing requirements of this state board. (See Rule 7)

Board Notes

Contact Info

Board Administrator:   Yukon Morford | Program Director
Legal Advisor:   Tara Buchalter | Assistant Attorney General
Support Staff:   Andrew Weis | Program Manager
Additional Support Staff:   
Patsy Zamudio, Administrative Support
Vana Montgomery, Compliance Monitor
Website:   https://dpo.colorado.gov/Chiropractic
Email Address:    DORA_ChiropractorsBoard@state.co.us
Phone:   (303) 894-7800
Phone Extension:   
Fax:   (303) 869-0144
Fax For Application:   No
Street Address:   1560 Broadway, Ste 1350
Street Address Cont:   
City:   Denver
State:   CO
Zipcode:   80202
Time Zone:   Mountain

Application Info

Required Licenses:   Chiropractic (CHR)
Application Deadline:   N/A
Application Fee:   
Application Notes:   Varies by fiscal year
Term:   Biennial
Term Notes:    Renew October 31st of odd-numbered years
Jurisprudence Exam Dates:   N/A
Exam Fee:   N/A
Exam Fee Notes:   N/A
Initial License Fee:   $250
Initial License Fee Notes:   
Communication from the Division: The Division of Professions and Occupation’s primary communication is via email. Please be sure to include your current email address on your application to receive important information about your application status and process.
License Expiration Bump Period for New Applicants: All new applicants who are issued a license within 120 days of the upcoming renewal expiration date will be issued a license with the next expiration date.
License Renewal Information: All Chiropractor licenses expire on October 31 of odd- numbered years. Renewals open approximately six weeks prior to the expiration date.
License Renewal Fee:   License renewal information is e-mailed to public address of record 6 weeks prior to expiration.
Fees subject to change.
Criminal Background Check:   No
Criminal Background Check Notes:   
Fingerprinting:   No
Fingerprinting Notes:   

Education Info

Minimum Years Pre Professional Education:   0
Bachelor Degree Required:   No
Accreditation For Chiropractic Programs:   Council on Chiropractic Education; The Board has the authority to approve a school with CCE equivalency.
Accreditation Notes:   Anatomy, including embryology and histology, physiology and psychology, biochemistry, inorganic and organic chemistry, pathology, bacteriology, toxicology, public health, hygiene, sanitation, first aid, diagnosis, pediatrics, dermatology, syphilology, psychiatry, X-ray, obstetrics, gynecology, principles & practice of chiropractic, adjustive techniques, and orthopedics/neurology (See Statute 12-215-106)
Special Requirements For Graduates Of Foreign Colleges:   Contact Board for specific information.

Student Practice Info

May Sit for Board Exam Prior To Graduation:   No
Supervised Practice:   Intern
Supervised Practice Required:   No
Supervised Practice Notes:   Notes:   See 12-215-130, C.R.S.
Sample Informed Consent Form:  https://dpo.colorado.gov/Chiropractic/Resources

Examinations Info

Exams Administered By State:
NBCE Part 1:   Required
NBCE Part 2:   Required
NBCE Part 3:   Required
NBCE Part 4:   Required
NBCE Physiotheraphy:   Required
NBCE Acupuncture:   Accepted
NBCE Spec:   Not Accepted
SPEC Notes:   
Reciprocity/Endorsement: Successfully passing the SPEC exam within two years preceding an application may be used in lieu of state practical exam requirement.

Certifications Info

Optional Certifications:

Electrotherapy Authority – See Board Rule 1.6
Animal Authority – See 12-215-127, C.R.S.
Acupuncture Authority – See Board Rule 1.17
Physiotherapy Termed:    Electrotherapy
Physiotherapy Certification:   Included in Chiropractic License
Physiotherapy Education:   120 classroom hours in this subject with a clinical component to determine competency; passing the NBCE Physiotherapy examination is acceptable to demonstrate competency (See Rule 10)
Physiotherapy Exam:   None
Physiotherapy Fee:   
Board Regulates Specialty Council Certification:   No

License Portability Info

Condition For Reciprocity Endorsement:   An applicant may obtain licensure by endorsement if the applicant satisfies the requirements of the occupational credential portability program.
Board Permits And Authorizes Travel To Treat:   No
Board Permits And Authorizes Telemedicine Practices:   No

Additional Info

Licensees Required To Carry Malpractice Insurance:   Yes
Malpractice Notes:    See 12-215-114, C.R.S. & Board Rule 1.3
Peer Review:   No
Legally Accepted Terms for Chiropractor:   
A license to practice chiropractic entitles the holder to use the title “Doctor” or “Dr.” when accompanied by the word “Chiropractor” or the letters “D.C.”, and to use the title of “Doctor of Chiropractic”.
Chiropractors Defined As Primary Care Physicians:   No

Chiropractic Therapy Assistants Info

Regulated:   Yes

Continuing Education Info

Required Hours Per Year:   30 per 2 years
Distance Hours Allowed Per Year:   10
Required Subjects:   
Standards
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.
Program sponsors shall present continuing chiropractic education that constitutes a meritorious learning experience. If a sponsor falsifies information regarding a course, the Board may require the sponsor's future courses be pre- approved.
Courses in the promotion of practice building, office management, or are outside the chiropractic scope of practice DO NOT satisfy the Board's requirements.
The number of CE credit hours may be determined by counting the hours of instruction and rounding to the nearest quarter hour, except as otherwise indicated below for college/university courses:
1 semester hour = 15 CE credit hours
1 quarter hour = 8.5 CE credit hours
Additional Requirements And Information For CE:   
Each actively licensed Colorado chiropractor is required to maintain "Health Provider Level Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation" (CPR), as provided by the American Heart Association or substantially similar nationally or internationally recognized organization. All active licensees must maintain proof of current and valid CPR certification. The hours necessary to maintain this CPR certification may be used towards the CE hours required by Board Rule.
At least four (4) of the 30 required hours shall be in recordkeeping and documentation
Chiropractors registered to perform animal chiropractic must complete an additional 20 hours of CE per license period that is specific to the diagnosis and treatment of animals authorized by Colorado statute. Fields of study are listed in sections 12-215-127(4) and (5), C.R.S. Distance Learning
For every license period, up to 10 CE hours may be obtained through traditional distance learning programs. These may include but are not limited to, internet education programs, CDs, DVDs, video and audio tapes. To obtain CE credit for distance learning, successful completion of a proficiency testing component is required. These courses allow no real-time interaction between the instructor and licensee.
Online CE courses in which the instructor and licensee are in direct, live communication during the course are not considered traditional distance learning and the CE hours earned count the same as CE hours earned in a live classroom environment. Examples include a live lecture or teleconference in which the instructor and licensee can speak directly with each other, a video presentation in which the licensee and other practitioners discuss with a facilitator‚ Äôs assistance, a recorded presentation in which the licensee is able to ask questions and interact with the instructor in real time.
Documentation
Licensees must maintain their own CE files. Records must be kept for a period of four (4) years. Documentation must include the following information:
the dates of the CE program
a certificate of attendance, including the hours in attendance
a synopsis of the course content >br> the identity of the course sponsor
Exceptions
If any licensed chiropractor is unable to comply with CE requirements on account of dire emergency and for good cause shown, the Board may waive the provisions. A licensee requesting waiver must send a written petition to the Board, outlining the reasons for the request. The licensee will be notified of the Board's decision in writing.

***Audits of compliance are conducted after each renewal cycle ends***
Additional CE Information:   
All chiropractors with an Active Colorado license must complete a minimum of 30 hours per two-year license period.  
If a chiropractor has been licensed for a period of 12 months or less before the first renewal of their license, they are not required to complete CE for that renewal.
If a chiropractor has been licensed for longer than twelve months before the first license renewal period, only 15 CE credit hours are required for that renewal.
Additional Accepts PACE:   Does not accept PACE

Regulatory Board Members

Jill Hutter, D.C.
President
5-2025
Robert Smigelski, D.C.
Secretary-Treasurer
5-2027
Brandy Brimhall, CPC
Public Member
5-2025
Sergio Rocafort, D.C.
Board Member
5-2026
Vidhyalakshmi Sampaath, DDS
Vice President
5-2027
Roxanne Wagner, D.C.
Board Member
5-2025
James Westover, D.C.
Board Member
5-2028

Statistical Info

Current As Of Date:   2024
Active Licenses:   2,822
Inactive Licenses:   135
New Licenses:   
Resident Licenses:   
Retired Licenses:   N/A
Other Status Licenses:   175
Chiropractic Assistants:   N/A
Statistical Notes:   
Animal Authority (ANI) Active: 90
Electotherapy Authority (EL) Active: 2,501
Acupuncture Authority (AC) Active: 435

Current as of 10-1-2024