WASHINGTON CHIROPRACTIC QUALITY ASSURANCE COMMISSION

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WASHINGTON CHIROPRACTIC QUALITY ASSURANCE COMMISSION

District 1
License Date:   N/A
FCLB Member:   Yes
Website:   https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/ProfessionsNewReneworUpdate/Chiropractor
 
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) RCW 18.25.005
(1) Chiropractic is the practice of health care that deals with the diagnosis or analysis and care or treatment of the vertebral subluxation complex and its effects, articular dysfunction, and musculoskeletal disorders, all for the restoration and maintenance of health and recognizing the recuperative powers of the body. (2) Chiropractic treatment or care includes the use of procedures involving spinal adjustments, and extremity manipulation. Chiropractic treatment also includes the use of heat, cold, water, exercise, massage, trigger point therapy, dietary advice and recommendation of nutritional supplementation, the normal regimen and rehabilitation of the patient, first aid, and counseling on hygiene, sanitation, and preventive measures. Chiropractic care also includes such physiological therapeutic procedures as traction and light, but does not include procedures involving the application of sound, diathermy, or electricity. (3) As part of a chiropractic differential diagnosis, a chiropractor shall perform a physical examination, which may include diagnostic x-rays, to determine the appropriateness of chiropractic care or the need for referral to other health care providers. The chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission shall provide by rule for the type and use of diagnostic and analytical devices and procedures consistent with this chapter. (4) Chiropractic care shall not include the prescription or dispensing of any medicine or drug, the practice of obstetrics or surgery, the use of x-rays or any other form of radiation for therapeutic purposes, colonic irrigation, or any form of venipuncture. (5) Nothing in this chapter prohibits or restricts any other practitioner of a 'health profession' defined in RCW 18.120.020(4) from performing any functions or procedures the practitioner is licensed or permitted to perform, and the term 'chiropractic' as defined in this chapter shall not prohibit a practitioner licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW from performing medical procedures, except such procedures shall not include the adjustment by hand of any articulation of the spine.

Board Notes

Four Year Terms appointed by the Governor. Members may serve two terms or until their successors are appointed; Note: all correspondence must be sent through Commission office.

Contact Info

Board Administrator:   Bob Nicoloff / Tammy Kelly | Executive Director / Deputy Executive Director
Legal Advisor:   Christopher Gerard | Assistant Attorney General Adviser
Support Staff:   Betty Moe | Regulatory Analyst
Additional Support Staff:   
Jenny Yeam- Compliance and Project Manager
Vacant - Credentialing Specialist
Website:   https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/ProfessionsNewReneworUpdate/Chiropractor
Email Address:   cqac@doh.wa.gov
Phone:   (360) 236-2822
Phone Extension:   
Fax:   (360) 236-2360
Fax For Application:   No
Street Address:   111 Israel Rd, SE
Street Address Cont:   Town Center # 2
City:   Tumwater
State:   WA
Zipcode:   98504
Time Zone:   Pacific

Application Info

Required Licenses:   Chiropractic
Application Deadline:   n/a
Application Fee:   $741* (non-refundable) (Application and jurisprudence exam fee)
Application Notes:   Can apply online or by paper.
Term:   Annual
Term Notes:   on date of birth
Jurisprudence Exam Dates:   
Exam Fee:   $741* (non-refundable) (Application and jurisprudence exam fee)
Exam Fee Notes:   Jurisprudence Re-Examination Fee: $100
Initial License Fee:   
Initial License Fee Notes:   
License Renewal Fee:   License Renewal fee: $566 ; Late Renewal Penalty: $225
Criminal Background Check:   Yes
Criminal Background Check Notes:   
Fingerprinting:   No
Fingerprinting Notes:   Out - of - state applicants only

Education Info

Minimum Years Pre Professional Education:   0
Bachelor Degree Required:   No
Accreditation For Chiropractic Programs:   WAC 246-808-020 Colleges-Policy. (1) In determining a college’s eligibility for accreditation the commission may utilize, at its discretion, recognized chiropractic accrediting associations, recognized regional accreditation associations, and appropriate professional firms, agencies, and individuals.
Accreditation Notes:   
Special Requirements For Graduates Of Foreign Colleges:   Must meet all licensing requirements.

Student Practice Info

May Sit for Board Exam Prior To Graduation:   No
Supervised Practice:   None
Supervised Practice Required:   No
Supervised Practice Notes:   Students may intern under licensed D.C., provided D.C.s licensed for more than 5 years and in good standing, maintains malpractice insurance and applies to become an approved supervisor. Read WAC 246-808-190 for more details.

Examinations Info

Exams Administered By State:
State or provincial laws and rules / Jurisprudence,
Open Book Exam
NBCE Part 1:   Required
NBCE Part 2:   Required
NBCE Part 3:   Required
NBCE Part 4:   Required
NBCE Physiotheraphy:   Not Accepted
NBCE Acupuncture:   Not Accepted
NBCE Spec:   Accepted
SPEC Notes:   SPEC: Not required for initial licensure; Required if license has been expired for at least three years and there is no active license in another jurisdiction. Reinstatement Lapsed License: Discretion of Commission Disciplinary Cases: Discretion of Commission Impairment Review: Discretion of Commission

Certifications Info

Optional Certifications:
n/a
Physiotherapy Termed:   n/a
Physiotherapy Certification:   Information not Available
Physiotherapy Education:    PHYSIOTHERAPY: Chiropractic treatment or care includes the use of procedures involving spinal adjustments, and extremity manipulation. Chiropractic treatment also includes the use of heat, cold, water, exercise, massage, trigger point therapy, dietary advice and recommendation of nutritional supplementation, the normal regimen and rehabilitation of the patient, first aid, and counseling on hygiene, sanitation, and preventive measures. Chiropractic care also includes such physiological therapeutic procedures as traction and light, but does not include procedures involving the application of sound, diathermy, or electricity.
Physiotherapy Exam:   None
Physiotherapy Fee:   n/a
Board Regulates Specialty Council Certification:   No

License Portability Info

Condition For Reciprocity Endorsement:   A license to practice chiropractic in another jurisdiction, credentials and qualifications that are substantially equivalent to Washington’s full-time practice of chiropractic, or has taught at an accredited college, has not been convicted of a crime, and pass the state law and rule examination.
Board Permits And Authorizes Travel To Treat:   Yes
Board Permits And Authorizes Telemedicine Practices:   Yes

Additional Info

Licensees Required To Carry Malpractice Insurance:   No
Malpractice Notes:   Encouraged; preceptors are required to have malpractice insurance under WAC 246-808-190 (2) (d)
“Preceptor or direct supervisory doctor” (d) Evidence of malpractice insurance for the unlicensed chiropractic doctor and the preceptor applicant.
Peer Review:   Yes
Legally Accepted Terms for Chiropractor:    (in addition to Doctor of Chiropractic, D.C., Chiropractor, Chiropractic Doctor): Chiropractic Physician, Ph.C., Dr. or “Doctor” must be used in conjunction with the word chiropractic or chiropractor
Chiropractors Defined As Primary Care Physicians:   No

Chiropractic Therapy Assistants Info

Regulated:   No

Continuing Education Info

Required Hours Per Year:   25 hours per year
Distance Hours Allowed Per Year:   up to 12 online/multimedia ; 12 hours must be from attended, classroom setting
Required Subjects:   Requires sexual boundaries training: No Requires AIDS awareness/risk prevention training: No Other specific CE training required: 3 hours one time in suicide screening and referral (EHB 1424)
Additional Requirements And Information For CE:   WAC 246-808-150 “Commission approved continuing education” (1) Licensed chiropractors must complete twenty-five hours of continuing education as required in RCW 18.25.070. The Commission is conducting rulemaking & revising, condensing and repealing rules. All "CE" requirements are listed in WAC-246-808-150.
Additional CE Information:   
Additional Accepts PACE:   Accepts PACE

Regulatory Board Members

Dana Clum, D.C.
Chair
6-30-2023
Jaskirat (Jas) Walia, DC.
Vice Chair
6-30-2024
Vanessa Wise, D.C.
Vice Chair
6-30-2023
Brian Chan, D.C.
Board Member
6-30-2023
Stephen Chan, D.C.
Board Member
6-30-2025
William Davis, D.C.
Board Member
6-30-2026
David Folweiler D.C.
Board Member
6-30-2022
Michael Long, D.C.
Board Member
6-30-2024
Susan Bogni
Public Member
6-20-2023
Susan Jensen, J.D.
Public Member
6-30-2026
Julie Spector, Judge Retired
Public Member
6-30-2025

Statistical Info

Current As Of Date:   2023
Active Licenses:   2,529
Inactive Licenses:   101
New Licenses:   
Resident Licenses:   
Retired Licenses:   
Other Status Licenses:   101 - Inactive
Chiropractic Assistants:   
Statistical Notes:   DC X-ray Technician: Active 237

Current as of March 1, 2023

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