Navigating Chiropractic Continuing Education Requirements: A State-by-State Guide
Continuing education (CE) is a cornerstone of professional development for chiropractors. It ensures they remain current with the latest advancements, techniques, and regulations in the field. However, the specific requirements for CE vary significantly from state to state, creating a complex landscape for practitioners licensed in multiple jurisdictions or those considering relocation. This article provides an overview of chiropractic CE requirements across different states, highlighting key aspects and resources for staying compliant.
Understanding the Landscape of Chiropractic Continuing Education
Each state's regulatory agency for chiropractic sets its own policies regarding CE, including the number of required hours, acceptable course formats (live, online, etc.), and specific topics that must be covered. These requirements are subject to change, making it essential for chiropractors to stay informed about the latest updates in their state.
State-Specific Requirements: A Detailed Overview
Here's a look at the CE requirements in various states, illustrating the diversity of regulations:
Alaska: Requires 32 hours every two years, with stipulations on coding and documentation (2 hours), ethics and boundaries (2 hours), CPR, and radiographic safety/techniques/interpretation (8 hours). Distance learning is capped at 16 hours.
Arizona: Mandates 24 hours every two years, including 2 hours in ethics and law, and 4 hours in specific subject areas like history taking, physical examination, adjustive techniques, or ethical billing and coding. Distance learning is limited to 12 hours.
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California: Requires 24 hours of Continuing Education per year.
Colorado: Requires 30 hours of Continuing Education every 2 years. Colorado allows 10 hours of Online Continuing Education Courses every 2 years. 20 CE hours required, if applicable, Animal chiropractic every 2 years.
Delaware: Requires 24 hours biennially, with 3 hours in ethics, record-keeping, or risk management. Online CE is limited to 6 hours.
Georgia: Requires 20 hours of Continuing Education per year. Initial licenses issued in an odd numbered year of the 2 year period are NOT required to submit a certificate of completion for the following 2 year renewal period.
Idaho: Requires 18 hours every year, with a maximum of 6 hours from distance learning courses.
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Illinois: Requires 150 hours every 3 years, with a minimum of 60 hours in formal CME programs and a maximum of 90 hours in informal CME programs or activities.
Iowa: Requires 40 hours biennially on even numbered years, including 2 hours in professional boundaries and 1 hour in Iowa Administrative Code.
Kentucky: 2 CE hours required for All 1st year licensees in Kentucky State Chiropractic Jurisprudence prior to their first license renewal. 2 CE hours required in performance and ordering tests. 6 CE hours required, if applicable, in Animal Chiropractic approved by the MBCE each year. Mandatory AVCA Certification. No specific CE requirements for Animal Chiropractic.
Maryland: Requires 48 hours biennially before August 31st, including 3 hours in communicable disease (including HIV/AIDs) and 5 hours in risk management (of which 1 must be on jurisprudence).
Massachusetts: Licensees in Massachusetts must complete 12 Hours of Continuing Education every year before March 31st.
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Michigan: Requires 30 hours for license renewal, including 1 hour in sexual boundaries, 1 in ethics, 1 in pain and symptom management, 2 live in person continuing education hours in physical measures, and 2 live in person continuing hours in performance and ordering of tests. No more than 15 of the 30 hours may be in distance learning courses.
Minnesota: Requires 20 hours every year, including 3 hours in x-ray or imaging, 1 hour in professional boundaries, 2 hours in acupuncture (if registered), and 6 hours in animal chiropractic (if registered).
Montana: Requires 12 hours every year, with restrictions on philosophy or practice management (max 2 hours). Four hours must be in professional ethics & boundaries every four year reporting period.
Nebraska: Requires 36 hours before August 1st of each even numbered year, including 4 hours in technical skills (x-ray or adjustive techniques) and 4 hours in specific topics like HIV/AIDs, ethics, or fraud prevention.
Nevada: Requires 36 hours every two years before December 31st.
New Jersey: Requires 30 hours every two years, with a limit of 12 hours in asynchronous distance learning. Includes 2 hours in state laws regarding ethics/record keeping and 2 hours in nutrition education.
New Mexico: Requires 16 hours annually, with a maximum of 8 hours from distance learning.
New York: Requires 36 hours every 3 year registration period.
North Carolina: Requires 18 hours every year, including 10 hours in classroom study and a maximum of 8 hours online. A minimum of 2 professional development (self reported hours) are also required.
Ohio: Requires 36 hours every two years.
Oklahoma: Requires 20 hours each year.
Oregon: Requires 24 hours each biennial renewal period.
Pennsylvania: Requires 45 hours every three years, including 3 hours in risk management and 3 hours on AIDS (Infectious Disease).
Rhode Island: Requires 60 hours per 3 year registration cycle. 50 of those 60 hours must be in clinically related courses and only 30 hours are allowed in distance learning courses.
South Carolina: Requires 36 hours per two year renewal cycle, including 2 hours in South Carolina Rules & Regulations and 2 hours in risk management.
South Dakota: Requires 40 hours per 2 year renewal cycle, along with current CPR certification.
Tennessee: Requires 24 hours per 1 year renewal cycle, including 3 hours in sexual boundaries training, 2 hours in AIDS awareness/risk prevention, and if 6 hours acupuncture required if certified.
Texas: Requires 16 hours of Continuing Education (CE) each renewal cycle, four of which are in Board-required topics. No more than ten hours may be obtained through online courses, and webinars are treated as live courses in Texas. A licensee who also holds a Board-issued permit to perform specialized techniques or procedures shall complete any continuing education required by the Board to obtain and maintain the permit. A minimum of four hours of the total required continuing education shall consist of a course specifically related to the Board's rules including the Board's code of ethics, record keeping, documentation, and coding. This continuing education course must be taken in a "live format"* through a course approved by the board. A minimum of one hour of the total required continuing education shall relate to risk management relating to the practice of chiropractic in Texas. For the purpose of this rule, risk management refers to the identification, investigation, analysis, and evaluation of risks and the selection of the most advantageous method of correcting, reducing, or eliminating, identifiable risks. "Live format" means any education course that is not pre-recorded and is presented in real time through an interactive medium such as a live webinar, an in-person training event, or telephone conference. Licensees who were initially licensed on or after September 1, 2012, must complete at least eight hours of continuing education in coding and documentation for Medicare claims no later than their second renewal period unless they are in exempted status. A licensee may receive an acupuncture permit from the Board by completing at least one hundred (100) hours of training in acupuncture and passing the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners' examination. The training must be provided by an accredited chiropractic college, or post-secondary university, or other educational or testing institution approved by the Board. Such training shall include didactic, clinical, and practical training in the practice of acupuncture, clean needle techniques, examination, and protocols that meet the blood-borne pathogen standard established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Every licensee shall attend and complete 16 hours of continuing education each year unless a licensee is exempted. Each licensee's reporting year shall begin on the first day of the month in which his or her birthday occurs. The 16 hours of continuing education may be completed at any course or seminar elected by the licensee, which has been approved by TBCE. No more than 10 hours or credit may be obtained through online courses.
Utah: Requires 40 hours every even numbered year. No more than 4 hours may be in marketing or practice building and no more than 10 hours may be completed in distance learning. Licensees who practice acupuncture must complete 10 hours in acupuncture.
Vermont: Requires 24 hours every two years. Practice management, finance, and philosophy courses are prohibited.
Virginia: Requires 60 hours every two years, with a minimum of 30 hours in Type 1 CE (approved by the board, includes PACE) and a maximum of 30 hours in Type 2 CE (Not approved by the board).
Washington: Requires 25 hours per year.
Wisconsin: Requires 12 hours every year, with a minimum of 8 hours earned at in person conferences or hands on training. Only 4 out of the 12 required hours may be obtained through online learning.
Key Considerations for Choosing CE Courses
Accreditation: Ensure that the CE provider is accredited by a reputable organization, such as the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB) or a state-specific board. In Texas, CCEDseminars is an FCLB-PACE recognized provider. This guarantees that the courses meet the required standards and will be accepted by your licensing board. TheWiseDC.com is Sponsored by CCE accredited colleges and approved by PACE.
Format: Consider your learning style and schedule when choosing between live events, webinars, and online courses. Texas, for example, requires certain topics to be completed in a live format.
Content: Select courses that are relevant to your practice and address any specific requirements mandated by your state. In Texas, DCs often prioritize required topic hours (ethics, documentation/coding, risk management) before choosing clinical or practice-building electives.
Cost: Compare the cost per credit hour and any additional fees. Some providers offer bundled discounts or payment plans.
Accessibility: Check the providerâs access terms (lifetime vs. limited window) and confirm you can re-download certificates anytime for audits.
Strategies for Staying Compliant
Know Your State's Requirements: Regularly review the specific CE requirements for each state in which you are licensed. State chiropractic boards provide detailed information on their websites.
Plan Ahead: Create a CE plan that aligns with your state's requirements and your professional development goals.
Track Your Credits: Maintain a record of all completed CE courses, including certificates of completion. Many platforms offer dashboards to track credits and simplify compliance.
Verify Course Approval: Before enrolling in a course, confirm that it is approved by your state's licensing board.
Stay Updated: Subscribe to newsletters or join professional organizations like the Texas Chiropractic Association (TCA) to receive updates on CE requirements and compliance.
Resources for Chiropractic Continuing Education
State Chiropractic Boards: These are the primary source of information on CE requirements and approved providers in each state.
Chiropractic Associations: Organizations like the TCA offer CE courses, advocacy, and resources for chiropractors.
Online CE Providers: Numerous providers offer online chiropractic CE courses, including CCEDseminars and TheWiseDC.com.
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