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WASHINGTON CHIROPRACTIC QUALITY ASSURANCE COMMISSION
Licensure Date: 1919

Directory page last updated 3-2-2021

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. 
Bob Nicoloff, Executive Director
(360) 236-4924
 		  
For CE/Commission Requests & Correspondence:
Department of Health
Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission
P.O. Box 47858
Olympia, WA 98504-7858
cqac@doh.wa.gov

For Transcripts & Application Materials:
Department of Health
Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission
P.O. Box 47858
Olympia, WA 98504-7858

Mailing Licensing and Renewal Fees:
Department of Health
Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission
P.O. Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099

Physical Address:
111 Israel Rd, SE
Town Center # 2
Tumwater, WA 98504
 
Time Zone: Pacific
Office Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm; M-F
Counter Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, M-F

For Licensing Information Contact:
Contact: Brandy Acuff (360) 236-4856

For Disciplinary or Investigation Information
Contact: Tammy Kelley (360) 236-2326

For Disciplinary Compliance Information
Contact: Jenny Yeam  (360) 236-2824


For Commission Membership or Meeting Information
Contact: Bob Nicoloff (360) 236-4924

Christopher Gerard, Assistant Attorney General Adviser

Fax: (360) 236-2360
(Do not use FAX for applications)

 

Staff’s Contact Information:
Commission’s E-Mail Address: cqac@doh.wa.gov
Bob Nicoloff, Commission Executive Director - bob.nicoloff@doh.wa.gov
Tammy Kelley, Deputy Executive Director - tammy.kelley@doh.wa.gov
Jenny Yeam, Compliance and Projects Manager – jenny.yeam@doh.wa.gov
Brandy Acuff, Credentialing Specialist - brandy.acuff@doh.wa.gov

Web address: www.doh.wa.gov/CQAC
                                      
 
Term: Annual (on birthday)
Criminal background check: Yes
Fingerprinting: Out-of-state applicants only
Application fee and Jurisprudence Exam fee: $741* (non-refundable)
Jurisprudence Re-Examination Fee: $100
License Renewal fee: $566* 
Late Renewal Penalty: $225
 
Chiropractic X-Ray Technician Application Fee: $182 (Non-refundable) 
License Renewal Fee: $90
Late Renewal Penalty: $50
* includes the required $16 HEAL-WA fee. For Additional information,
please visit  https://heal-wa.org/
Preceptor/Intern/Extern Program: 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.
Require supervised practice prior to full licensure: No  License(s) Required for Practice: Chiropractic
Optional Certification: n/a 
CONTINUING EDUCATION:     
Requirements: 25 hours per year (birthdate renewal)
Distance Credits Allowed: up to 12 online/multimedia; 13 hours must be from attended, classroom setting.
Program Criteria: 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. 		 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)


CONDITIONS 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.
EXAMINATIONS ADMINISTERED BY STATE: Open Book written Jurisprudence is mailed to candidate when application and fee is received. Passing score of 95%. 

 

NATIONAL BOARD EXAMINATIONS  
Part I: Required
Part II: Required
Part III (WCCE): Required
Part IV: Required
Physiotherapy: Not within regulatory statute		 Acupuncture: Not accepted
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

 

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.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Min. # years pre-professional education required for licensure: One-half baccalaureate degree, graduation from approved and accredited chiropractic college.
Accreditation for Chiropractic Programs/Institutions: 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.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATES OF FOREIGN COLLEGES: Must meet all licensing requirements
SUMMARY OF SCOPE OF PRACTICE: (Contact State for precise definition by state law)
(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.
OTHER REFERENCE INFORMATION:
Board regulates specialty council certification: No
Board permits or authorizes travel-to-treat requirements: Yes, WAC 246-808-140 “Thirty-day permit”. A chiropractor practicing under authority of RCW 18.25.190 (1) shall register with the Commission by: (1) Notifying the commission of the nature and dates of their practice in the state of Washington; (2) Submitting a copy of their current, valid license in the other jurisdiction in which they are licensed; and (3) Submitting a verification of license from the state licensed in. No fee shall be charged to register under this section.
Board permits or authorizes telemedicine practices: Yes
Licensees required to carry malpractice insurance: No, but encouraged; preceptors are required to have malpractice insurance under WAC 246-808-190 “Preceptor or direct supervisory doctor” (d) Evidence of malpractice insurance for the unlicensed chiropractic doctor and the preceptor applicant.
Additionally 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
Peer Review: Established 1991, repealed 1994 See RCW 18.26.320
Certified Clinical Chiropractic Assistants: not regulated at this time
Chiropractic X-Ray Technicians: WAC 246-808-215 “Registration of chiropractic x-ray technicians” (1) Chiropractic doctors shall employ only commission registered technicians to operate x-ray equipment.
BOARD MEMBERS / TERMS: 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.
David Folweiler, D.C., Chair,  Exp. 6/30/22
Michael Bostjancic, D.C., Vice-Chair,  Exp. 6/30/21
Judy Colenso, Public Member, Vice -Chair, Exp. 6/30/21
Maria Best, D.C., Exp. 6/30/23
Brian Chan, D.C., Exp. 6/30/23
Stephen Chan, D.C., Exp. 6/30/21
Dana Clum, D.C., Exp.. 6/30/23
William Davis, D.C., Exp. 6/30/22
 
Michael Long, D.C., Exp. 6/30/2024
Rebecca Taylor, D.C., Exp. 6/30/2024
Jaskirat (Jas) Walia, D.C., Exxp 6/30/2024
Vanessa Wise, D.C.,  Exp.6/30/23
Susan Jensen, JD, Public Member, Exp. 6/30/22
Susan Bogni, Public Member, Exp. 6/30/23


STATISTICAL INFORMATION: Total # of Licensees as of 2/4/2021:

 

# of Active licenses: 2,601
# of Inactive licenses: 125
# of Other Status:
(Ex: retired/deceased/terminated/emeritus...)    		# of New licensees:
# of Resident licenses: 
# of Non-Resident licenses:      
# of Chiropractic Assistants:           		DC X-ray Technician
Active: 182
Inactive:  not offered