New York State licensed chiropractors use the title “Doctor of Chiropractic,” the abbreviation “D.C.,” and/or the “Dr.” abbreviation. Only a person licensed as a chiropractor, or exempt by law, may practice chiropractic, and/or use the title “chiropractor.”
No, Doctors of Chiropractic are not physicians. In practice, New York State licensed chiropractors use the title “Doctor of Chiropractic” and/or the “Dr.” abbreviation. However, when using “Dr.,” chiropractors must specify that they are chiropractors and not physicians. Chiropractors are not allowed to hold themselves out as physicians in New York State, and doing so could constitute professional misconduct.
Licensed chiropractors are required to complete 36 hours of acceptable formal continuing education for each triennial registration period (every three years). A maximum of 12 hours of study may be self-instructional coursework as approved by the Department.
Of the 36 hours, a minimum of 24 must be live format. The remaining 12 hours may be either live or self-study format. Of the 36 CE hours, at least one-third (12 hours) must be in the areas of patient communications, record keeping, and matters of law and/or ethics that contribute to professional practice in chiropractic and the health, safety, and/or welfare of the public.
In New York State, a chiropractor may adjust an extremity, only if the treatment is related to a primary diagnosis of the spine.
Yes. In New York State, a chiropractor may provide general nutritional counseling as it pertains to the health and wellness of a patient, or if such counseling is directly related to a primary diagnosis of the spine.
See Practice Alert – Weight Loss Management and Diet Counseling Services
The chiropractic scope of practice does not include the ordering or administration of anesthesia. Anesthesia must be prescribed and administered by an appropriately licensed physician. A licensed chiropractor performing MUA is obligated to ensure they possess the requisite competency by virtue of education and training. The procedure must also be clinically warranted by the patient's condition. Performance of MUA absent such competency or clinical justification may constitute excessive treatment in violation of Part 29 of the Rules of the Board of Regents governing unprofessional conduct.
No. Students may receive an examination from a private health care provider and are required to submit to their school district a health certificate that must be signed by a duly licensed physician, physician assistant (PA), or nurse practitioner (NP). In addition, an in-school health appraisal may be provided by the district medical director, who must be a physician, PA, or NP duly licensed in New York State.
No. Chiropractors licensed in New York State are not allowed to perform U.S. DOT examinations.
No. Chiropractors are not allowed to treat animals in New York State unless the chiropractor is dually licensed to practice veterinary medicine and competent to provide veterinary services and procedures.
No. Chiropractors are not allowed to perform acupuncture services in New York State unless they are also dually licensed to practice acupuncture in this State and are competent to do so.
No. Only licensed acupuncturists may perform dry needling in New York State.
Yes, provided that the treatment is consistent with the chiropractic scope of practice, which requires that the TMJ Dysfunction be related to a primary diagnosis of the spine.
Yes, because the coccyx is a segment of the spine.
Chiropractors are permitted to perform venipuncture for specimen collection in the office, but the specimen must be sent to an independent clinical laboratory for analysis. Chiropractors cannot perform laboratory testing themselves in their offices. Be advised that chiropractors are not authorized to conduct any clinical laboratory tests in their own offices, even simple “dipstick” testing. Therefore, if a cholesterol test were performed by a chiropractor in the office rather than at a clinical laboratory, that may constitute a violation of practicing beyond the authorized scope under the Education Law.
No. The chiropractic scope of practice specifically prohibits a chiropractor from reducing fractures or dislocations.
No. Pursuant to New York State law, one or more individuals duly authorized by law to render the same professional service within this State may organize a professional service corporation for pecuniary profit. However, the law prohibits two professionals who do not hold the same professional license from forming such an entity.
There is no per se prohibition on offering a pre-paid plan for chiropractic services. However, participating in the insurance business is illegal under Insurance Law §1102. Under this law, the fee paid for the plan must cover the cost of rendering the services offered, and if such services are required as a result of a “fortuitous event” as defined in Insurance Law §1101(a)(2), such services must be offered for an additional fee.
If the pre-paid plan does not cover the services rendered, including overhead, or offers unlimited services covering fortuitous events without an additional fee, the plan would be an “unauthorized insurance product” and illegal under New York State law.
The following links are provided for reference:
OGC Opinion No. 09-11-01: Proposed Medical Service Plan, Department of Financial Services
OGC Opinion No. 09-09-05: Proposed Discount Dental Service Plan, Department of Financial Services
Yes. Please refer to Education Law §6551 and §6552, found at the links below:
§6551: Definition of Practice of Chiropractic
§6552: Practice of Chiropractic and Use of Title “Chiropractor”
Chiropractors are prohibited from using:
Note: The State Board for Chiropractic may approve certain diagnostic services performed by clinical laboratories and may approve the use of certain electrical devices where the Board finds such performance and uses appropriate pursuant to the scope of practice of chiropractic.
Information regarding advertising prohibitions, as well as examples of appropriate means of informing the public of the availability of professional services, can be found in:
The Rules of the Board of Regents, Part 29, Unprofessional Conduct
Practice Alert- Advertising or Soliciting for Patients
Practice Alert- Using the Term “Functional Medicine” in Advertising is Inappropriate
Read more information about the license requirements for a chiropractor in New York State.
Substantiated allegations of negligence or incompetence, unlicensed practice or aiding and abetting, physical or sexual abuse, or allegations related to criminal convictions and complaints related to recordkeeping violations.