| Bob Nicoloff, Executive Director |
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Leann Yount, Program Manager |
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| For Information Contact: |
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For Licensing Information Contact:
Customer Service Center
(360) 236-4700 |
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For Commission Information Contact:
Leann Yount
(360) 236-4856 |
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For Disciplinary Information Contact:
Tammy Kelley
(360) 236-4905
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For CE Approval Information Contact:
Leann Yount
(360) 236-4856 |
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Department of Health
Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission
P.O. Box 47852
Olympia, WA 98504-7852 |
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Fax: (360) 236-2901
(Do not use FAX for applications) |
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Web address: http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/Professions/Chiropractic/default.htm |
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E-Mail Address: leann.yount@doh.wa.gov or tammy.kelley@doh.wa.gov |
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| Commission Office Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, M-F |
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Counter Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, M-F |
| Time Zone: Pacific |
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Application Fee: $600* (non-refundable)
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Criminal Background Check: Yes |
| License Renewal Fee: $ 545* |
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Require Fingerprinting: No |
| Term: Annual |
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(*includes the required $25 Univ of WA library access fee) |
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| 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. Contact Commission for more details. |
| Require supervised practice prior to full licensure: No |
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| License(s) Required for Practice: Chiropractic |
| Optional Certification: n/a |
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| CONTINUING EDUCATION: |
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Requirements: 25 hours per year (birthdate renewal)
Distance Credits Allowed: Up to 12
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.
Board accepts the uniform continuing education form: WAC 246-808-155 “Prior approval not required.” (1) It shall be unnecessary for a chiropractor to inquire into the prior approval of any continuing chiropractic education. The commission shall accept any continuing chiropractic education that falls within these regulations and relies upon each individual chiropractor’s integrity in complying with this requirement
Board requires sexual boundaries training: Commission is currently evaluating requirement
Board requires AIDS awareness / risk prevention training: Initial licensure 4 hours
Other special areas of specific CE training required: Commission is currently evaluating requirements. |
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| 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. |
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| EXAMINATIONS ADMINISTERED BY STATE: Open Book written Jurisprudence is mailed to candidate when application and fee is received. Passing score of 95% |
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| NATIONAL BOARD EXAMINATIONS: |
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SPEC: Not required |
Part I: Required
Part II: Required
Part III (WCCE): Required
Part IV: Required
Physiotherapy: Not within regulatory statute
Acupuncture: Not accepted |
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Reinstatement Lapsed License: Discretion of Commission
Disciplinary Cases: Discretion of Commission
Impairment Review: Discretion of Commission |
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| PHYSIOTHERAPY: The practice of Physiotherapy is not permitted in Washington. |
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| EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS |
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Min. # years pre-professional education required for licensure: One-half baccalaureate degree, graduation from approved and accredited chiropractic college. |
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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. |
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SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATES OF FOREIGN COLLEGES:
Must meet all licensing requirements. |
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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. |
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| OTHER REFERENCE INFORMATION: |
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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: No
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
Chiropractic Therapy 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. |
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| COMMISSION MEMBERS/TERMS: members of the commission hold office until their successors are appointed. |
| Ronald Rogers, D.C., Chair, Exp. 6/30/2010 |
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Rita Hughes, D.C., Exp. 6/30/2011 |
| Harold Rasmussen, D.C., Vice Chair, Exp. 6/30/2011 |
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Ming Ming Su-Brown, D.C., Exp. 6/30/2011 |
| Michael Milasich, D.C., Exp. 6/30/2010 |
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Aaron Chan, D.C., Exp. 6/2011 |
| Gary (Gabe) Smith, D.C., Exp. 6/30/2012 |
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Winfield Hobbs, D.C., Exp. 6/2013 |
| Douglas Long, D.C., Exp. 6/30/2012 |
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Judy L. Colenso, Public Member, Exp. 6/2009 |
| Stephen Renner, D.C., Exp. 6/30/2011 |
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Nancy Baker, Public Member, Exp. 6/2011 |
| Matt Waldron, D.C., Exp. 6/30/2012 |
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James Slakey, Public Member, Exp. 6/2010 |
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| Note: All correspondence must be sent through commission office |
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| STATISTICAL INFORMATION: Total # of Licensees as of 1/09: 2,288 |
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Of these licensees, there are:
Active licenses: 2,288
Inactive licenses: 220
New licenses: n/a
Resident licenses: n/a
Non-Resident licenses: n/a |
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 Updated 2/24/2010
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