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California Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
Each field carries its own source and the date it was checked. A field marked not published means the board's own pages were read and do not address it. Absence in what we checked is not absence at the board. A field marked unverified says what was attempted.
The Board of Chiropractic Examiners (BCE) regulates the chiropractic profession in California.chiro.ca.gov/about_us/about_board.shtml
The BCE was created on December 21, 1922, as the result of an initiative measure approved by the people on November 7, 1922.chiro.ca.gov/about_us/about_board.shtml
The mission of the Board of Chiropractic Examiners is to protect the health, welfare, and safety of the public through licensure, education, and enforcement in chiropractic care.chiro.ca.gov/
Initiative Measure, Stats. 1923. The board publishes the full text. Rules: California Code of Regulations, title 16, division 4, beginning at section 301. The board publishes them as a PDF compilation marked
Revised November 2021, which tells you to
always refer to the California Code of Regulations to guarantee the most current information. The board's approved-regulations page lists later changes, including: sections 323 and 360 amended effective December 1, 2025; section 354 repealed effective January 1, 2026; and section 363.1 amended effective January 7, 2026.The board's copy of the Act prints the page in the Stats. 1923 citation as “p. 1xxxviii”, with the digit 1.Source: https://www.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/initiative_act.shtml · https://www.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf · https://www.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/prop_regs.shtml · checked 2026-10-04
THE CHIROPRACTIC INITIATIVE ACT OF CALIFORNIAchiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/initiative_act.shtml
November 7, 1922, effective December 21, 1922.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/initiative_act.shtml
(Initiative Measure, Stats. 1923, p. 1xxxviii, § 1.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/initiative_act.shtml
These regulations are contained in Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations, Division 4, beginning at Section 301.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
Revised November 2021chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
shall include a minimum of thirty (30) patient office visits in which physiotherapy procedures are performed by the student on their own clinic patients. The board publishes its own list of Board-approved colleges.Source: https://www.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/initiative_act.shtml · https://www.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf · https://www.chiro.ca.gov/applicants/approved_colleges.shtml · checked 2026-10-04
Proof of graduation from an approved chiropractic school or college, as defined in Section 4, must reach the board 15 days prior to any meeting thereof.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/initiative_act.shtml
Except in the cases herein otherwise prescribed, each applicant shall present to the board at the time of making such application a diploma from a high school and a transcript of 60 prechiropractic college credits satisfactory to the board, or proof, satisfactory to the board, of education equivalent in training power to such high school and college courses.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/initiative_act.shtml
Each applicant shall offer proof of completion of a course of instruction in a Board-approved chiropractic college of not less than 4,400 hours which includes minimum educational requirements set forth in Section 5 of the Act.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
To be eligible for licensure, each applicant must furnish proof satisfactory to the Board of successful completion of the required 120 hours of physiotherapy course work and additional clinical trainingchiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
This shall include a minimum of thirty (30) patient office visits in which physiotherapy procedures are performed by the student on their own clinic patients.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
Unlicensed individuals are not permitted to diagnose, analyze, or perform a chiropractic adjustment.It defines an unlicensed individual as
any person, including a student or graduate of a chiropractic institution, who does not hold a valid California chiropractic license. It states that
An exemption is hereby created for student doctors participating in board approved preceptorship programs, and that student doctors in those programs are not to be considered unlicensed individuals when working in said program. Section 312 then lists the permitted activities of unlicensed individuals, with the supervision it attaches to them. For examinations,
Such individuals shall be at all times under the immediate and direct supervision of a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic, which it defines as the licensed Doctor of Chiropractic being
at all times on the premises where the examinations are being conducted. Physical therapy treatments may be administered
as an adjunct to chiropractic adjustment, provided the physical therapy treatment is conducted under the adequate supervision of a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic, and adequate supervision
shall include all of the following, set out in section 312(c)(1)–(4). Unlicensed individuals who exceed the permitted scope
shall be in violation of Section 15 of the Chiropractic Act and shall be prohibited from applying for a California chiropractic license for such time as may be determined by the board. Section 313, on inducing a student to practice chiropractic, makes this exception:
junior or senior students only may, for professional instruction, be assigned to regular clinic practice, during regular clinic hours, in the clinic conducted upon the premises of a regularly incorporated chiropractic school or college, and then only when said clinic is in charge of a duly licensed chiropractor as clinic instructor. Section 313
does not apply to students and doctors who participate in preceptorship programs sponsored by chiropractic institutions holding status with the Council on Chiropractic Education or seeking such status. Neither section 312 nor section 313 states the supervision required within a preceptorship program. The board publishes a Preceptor Request form, which asks for the college's information, the preceptor's name and license number, and the student-intern's name and graduation date. The board's November 2021 compilation also carries section 354, under which
applicants who are notified in writing by the Board of the successful completion of the Board examination, may immediately commence the practice of chiropractic in California pending the receipt of their certificate; the board's approved-regulations page lists the repeal of section 354, effective January 1, 2026.Source: https://www.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf · https://www.chiro.ca.gov/forms_pubs/preceptor.pdf · https://www.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/prop_regs.shtml · checked 2026-10-04
Unlicensed individuals are not permitted to diagnose, analyze, or perform a chiropractic adjustment.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
An “unlicensed individual” is defined as any person, including a student or graduate of a chiropractic institution, who does not hold a valid California chiropractic license.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
An exemption is hereby created for student doctors participating in board approved preceptorship programs.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
The permitted activities of unlicensed individuals are as follows:chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
Unlicensed individuals may take the history of a patient. However, this activity is separate from the consultation which at all times must be conducted by the licensed doctor.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
Unlicensed individuals may conduct standard neurological, orthopedic, physical and chiropractic examinations, except they may not perform such examinations which requirechiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
diagnostic or analytic interpretations nor may they render a conclusion either verbally or in writing regarding the patient's physical condition.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
As an example, unlicensed individuals may not perform evaluations of heart or lung soundings.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
Such individuals shall be at all times under the immediate and direct supervision of a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
“Immediate and direct supervision” means the licensed Doctor of Chiropractic shall be at all times on the premises where the examinations are being conducted.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
The licensed Doctor of Chiropractic shall be responsible for the verification of the recorded findings and will be solely responsible for rendering a conclusion based on the findings.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
Unlicensed individuals may administer physical therapy treatments as an adjunct to chiropractic adjustment, provided the physical therapy treatment is conducted under the adequate supervision of a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
Adequate supervision shall include all of the following:chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
(1) The doctor shall be present in the same chiropractic facility with the unlicensed individual at least fifty percent of any work week or portion thereof the said individual is on duty unless this requirement has been waived by the board.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
The doctor shall be readily available to the said individual at all other times for advice, assistance and instruction.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
(2) The doctor shall initially examine and prepare a written treatment program for a patient prior to the providing of physical therapy treatment by the unlicensed individual.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
(3) The doctor shall provide periodic reevaluation of the treatment program and of the individual's performance in relation to the patient.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
“Periodic reevaluation” shall mean at least once every thirty days the patient is under active care.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
(4) The doctor shall perform and record an evaluation of the patient and his or her response to treatment at the termination thereof.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
(d) Unlicensed individuals may mark X-ray films administered by a Doctor of Chiropractic.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
“Marking X-rays” is defined as drawing and measuring between reference points and making angular and linear measurements.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
Unlicensed individuals are not permitted to make any diagnostic conclusions or chiropractic analytical listings, and the licensed doctor is responsible for any pathological entities covered or obstructed by the markings.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
(e) Unlicensed individuals may not administer X-rays unless they hold a valid X-ray technician certificate from the Department of Health Services, or participate under the direct supervision of a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic in a training program approved by that department and set forth in Section 25668.1 of the California Health and Safety Code.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
Unlicensed individuals who exceed the permitted scope of practice set forth in this regulation shall be in violation of Section 15 of the Chiropractic Act and shall be prohibited from applying for a California chiropractic license for such time as may be determined by the board.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
Student doctors participating in board approved preceptorship programs are not to be considered “unlicensed individuals” when working in said program.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
No licensee of chiropractic in the State of California shall offer or cause to be offered to a student or prospective student of chiropractic any promise or inducement, either written or verbal, which may induce said student or prospective student to believe he or she, during the freshman, sophomore, junior or senior years, or within the time that he or she shall be a student in, and/or before graduation from chiropractic school or college, and/or before receiving a license from the board, may be legally employed in any chiropractic private office, or chiropractic school or college, to practice chiropractic, with or without compensation, and no student shall accept or rely upon any such promise or understanding except that junior or senior students only may, for professional instruction, be assigned to regular clinic practice, during regular clinic hours, in the clinic conducted upon the premises of a regularly incorporated chiropractic school or college, and then only when said clinic is in charge of a duly licensed chiropractor as clinic instructor.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
This section does not apply to students and doctors who participate in preceptorship programs sponsored by chiropractic institutions holding status with the Council on Chiropractic Education or seeking such status.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
Violation of this rule by any student shall be deemed to be also a violation of Section 312 hereof.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
Notwithstanding Section 312, applicants who are notified in writing by the Board of the successful completion of the Board examination, may immediately commence the practice of chiropractic in California pending the receipt of their certificate.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
Repeal of Successful Examination Regulation (California Code of Regulations, Title 16, section 354)chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/prop_regs.shtml
PRECEPTOR REQUESTchiro.ca.gov/forms_pubs/preceptor.pdf
Complete Sections 1 and 2 of this form. Submit this form to the Board, at the address below, with a check or money order in the amount of $72.00 made payable to “BOCE”.chiro.ca.gov/forms_pubs/preceptor.pdf
The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners examination Parts I, II, III, IV, and Physiotherapy, and the California Chiropractic Board examination shall constitute the California board licensure requirement.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
National Board status means attainment of passing scores on the National Board Parts I, II, III, IV, and Physiotherapy examinations.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
California Chiropractic Board examinationas
the examination developed by the Board of Chiropractic Examiners or an agency designated by the board, and states that it
shall cover California laws and regulations governing the practice of chiropractic, and/or other subjects as taught in chiropractic schools or colleges, and must be taken after the candidate has graduated from chiropractic college. The board's reciprocal application form names a
California Law & Professional Practice Examination.Source: https://www.chiro.ca.gov/applicants/examinfo.shtml · https://www.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf · https://www.chiro.ca.gov/forms_pubs/recip_app.pdf · checked 2026-10-04
California Chiropractic Law Examination (CCLE) Examination Informationchiro.ca.gov/applicants/examinfo.shtml
The California Chiropractic Board examination means the examination developed by the Board of Chiropractic Examiners or an agency designated by the board.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
This California Chiropractic Board examination shall cover California laws and regulations governing the practice of chiropractic, and/or other subjects as taught in chiropractic schools or colleges, and must be taken after the candidate has graduated from chiropractic college.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
All applicants for licensure must show proof of National Board status, and successful scores for the California Chiropractic Board examination, which may cover California laws and regulations governing the practice of chiropractic, and/or other subjects as taught in chiropractic schools or colleges.The board's exam page names a law exam, the California Chiropractic Law Examination (CCLE). The board's reciprocal application form states that all applicants must take and pass a law and professional practices exam.Source: https://www.chiro.ca.gov/applicants/examinfo.shtml · https://www.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf · https://www.chiro.ca.gov/forms_pubs/recip_app.pdf · checked 2026-10-04
ALL APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE AND PASS THE CALIFORNIA LAW & PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES EXAMchiro.ca.gov/forms_pubs/recip_app.pdf
All applicants for licensure must show proof of National Board status, and successful scores for the California Chiropractic Board examination, which may cover California laws and regulations governing the practice of chiropractic, and/or other subjects as taught in chiropractic schools or colleges.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
as taught in chiropractic schools or colleges. Regulation section 302(a) states things a duly licensed chiropractor may do, including the following, several with their own conditions: manipulate and adjust the spinal column and other joints;
As part of a course of chiropractic treatment, use
all necessary mechanical, hygienic, and sanitary measures incident to the care of the body;
Other than as explicitly set forth in section 10(b) of the Act, treat any condition, disease, or injury and diagnose,
so long as such treatment or diagnosis is done in a manner consistent with chiropractic methods and techniques and so long as such methods and treatment do not constitute the practice of medicine by exceeding the legal scope of chiropractic practice as set forth in this section; use vitamins, food supplements, foods for special dietary use, or proprietary medicines,
if the above substances are also included in section 4057 of the Business and Professions Code, so long as such substances are not included in materia medica as defined in section 13 of the Business and Professions Code;
Except as specifically provided in section 302(a)(4), use X-ray and thermography equipment
for the purposes of diagnosis but not for the purposes of treatment; and use diagnostic ultrasound equipment
for the purposes of neuromuscular skeletal diagnosis.Source: https://www.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/initiative_act.shtml · https://www.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf · checked 2026-10-04
which license shall authorize the holder thereof to practice chiropractic in the State of California as taught in chiropractic schools or colleges; and, also, to use all necessary mechanical, and hygienic and sanitary measures incident to the care of the bodychiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/initiative_act.shtml
A duly licensed chiropractor may manipulate and adjust the spinal column and other joints of the human body and in the process thereof a chiropractor may manipulate the muscle and connective tissue related thereto.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
As part of a course of chiropractic treatment, a duly licensed chiropractor may use all necessary mechanical, hygienic, and sanitary measures incident to the care of the body, including, but not limited to, air, cold, diet, exercise, heat, light, massage, physical culture, rest, ultrasound, water, and physical therapy techniques in the course of chiropractic manipulations and/or adjustments.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
Other than as explicitly set forth in section 10(b) of the Act, a duly licensed chiropractor may treat any condition, disease, or injury in any patient, including a pregnant woman, and may diagnose, so long as such treatment or diagnosis is done in a manner consistent with chiropractic methods and techniques and so long as such methods and treatment do not constitute the practice of medicine by exceeding the legal scope of chiropractic practice as set forth in this section.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
A duly licensed chiropractor may employ the use of vitamins, food supplements, foods for special dietary use, or proprietary medicines, if the above substances are also included in section 4057 of the Business and Professions Code, so long as such substances are not included in materia medica as defined in section 13 of the Business and Professions Code.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
The use of such substances by a licensed chiropractor in the treatment of illness or injury must be within the scope of the practice of chiropractic as defined in section 7 of the Act.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
Except as specifically provided in section 302(a)(4), a duly licensed chiropractor may make use of X-ray and thermography equipment for the purposes of diagnosis but not for the purposes of treatment.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
A duly licensed chiropractor may make use of diagnostic ultrasound equipment for the purposes of neuromuscular skeletal diagnosis.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
but shall not authorize the practice of medicine, surgery, osteopathy, dentistry or optometry, nor the use of any drug or medicine now or hereafter included in materia medica.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/initiative_act.shtml
A chiropractic license issued in the State of California does not authorize the holder thereof:chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
(A) to practice surgery or to sever or penetrate tissues of human beings, including, but not limited to severing the umbilical cord;chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
(B) to deliver a human child or practice obstetrics;chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
(C) to practice dentistry;chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
(D) to practice optometry;chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
(E) to use any drug or medicine included in materia medica;chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
(F) to use a lithotripter;chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
(G) to use ultrasound on a fetus for either diagnostic or treatment purposes; orchiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
(H) to perform a mammography.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
of each year. As a new licensee, you are exempt in the year of initial licensure.Source: https://www.chiro.ca.gov/licensees/ce.shtml · https://www.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/initiative_act.shtml · https://www.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf · checked 2026-10-04
24 hours of Continuing Education is required for licensees expiring on or after June 8, 2013chiro.ca.gov/licensees/ce.shtml
2 hours must be completed in: Ethics and Lawchiro.ca.gov/licensees/ce.shtml
4 hours must be completed in any one of, or combination of the following subject categories: History Taking and Physical Examination Procedures, OR Chiropractic Adjustive Techniques, OR Chiropractic Manipulation Techniques, OR Ethical Billing and Codingchiro.ca.gov/licensees/ce.shtml
18 hours may be taken in any of the categories listed in CCR Section 361, including the mandatory categories abovechiro.ca.gov/licensees/ce.shtml
A maximum of twelve (12) continuing education hours may be completed through distance learningchiro.ca.gov/licensees/ce.shtml
For purposes of this section, "implementation date" means two years following June 8, 2011.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
For license renewals that expire on or after the implementation date, the number of required hours of continuing education courses shall be twenty-four (24).chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
on or before the last day of their month of birth of each yearchiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/initiative_act.shtml
A new licensee is exempt from continuing education requirements in the year of initial licensure;chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
Graduation from a board approved chiropractic college, and completion of the minimum number of hours and subjects as were required by California law at the time the applicant's license was issued.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
Equivalent successful examination in each of the subjects examined in California in the same year as the applicant was issued a license in the state from which he is applying.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
The board reserves the right to require any additional education or examination for reciprocity.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
Without an Endorsement by the state from which you are reciprocating from, you do not qualify for reciprocal licensure.chiro.ca.gov/forms_pubs/recip_app.pdf
shall issue a license to any person licensed to practice chiropractic under the laws of another state, provided said state then had the same general requirements as required in this state at the time said license was issued, and provided that such other state in like manner grants reciprocal registration to chiropractic practitioners of this state.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/initiative_act.shtml
The applicant shall also provide a certificate from the other state stating that he was licensed by that state, that he has not been convicted of unprofessional conduct, and that there is no charge of unprofessional conduct pending against him.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/initiative_act.shtml
They must hold a valid and up-to-date license from the state from which they are reciprocating.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
The state from which they are licensed will reciprocate with California.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
Five (5) years of chiropractic practice.chiro.ca.gov/laws_regs/regulations.pdf
Recorded limit. The Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards publishes a record for each board at https://www.fclb.org/. That site returned HTTP 403 to us when checked on 2026-10-04, so its record could not be read.
The board is the authority on everything here. Requirements change. Confirm anything you intend to act on with the board directly.
Cite this entry. California licensure. In The Kaleidoscope. ChiroTrack. Last verified 4 October 2026. https://kaleidoscope.thechirotrack.com/licensure-california.html. Accessed ________.
Corrections to this entry: 5 October 2026 · If this is your institution: how this entry was sourced, and how to correct it