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Washington

Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission.

What the board and the law publish

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.

State
published Washington, a state. Chapter 18.25 RCW states that it is enacted to provide an adequate public agency to act as a disciplinary body for chiropractors licensed in the state, and makes practicing chiropractic in the state without a license a violation of RCW 18.130.190.Source: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.25&full=true · checked 2026-10-05
Licensing body
published Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission (CQAC), as the commission writes its name on its own pages. RCW 18.25.0151 and RCW 18.25.006(4) name it the Washington state chiropractic quality assurance commission; WAC 246-808-010 names it the chiropractic quality assurance commission. Its pages sit on the Washington State Department of Health site, and it states that it works with the Department of Health, Health Systems Quality Assurance. It is a commission, not a board.Source: https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/chiropractor-chiropractic-x-ray-technician/commission-information · https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.25&full=true · https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-808&full=true · checked 2026-10-05
Statutory authority
published The act is Chapter 18.25 RCW (Chiropractic), Revised Code of Washington. The rules are Chapter 246-808 WAC, Washington Administrative Code, which state their purpose as clarifying and defining Chapter 18.25 RCW. The Washington State Legislature publishes both, and the commission's License Requirements and Laws pages link to them. The commission's Laws page also lists Other relevant RCWs, for example Chapter 18.130 RCW (the Uniform Disciplinary Act), and further WAC chapters, for example chapters 246-12, 246-15 and 246-16 WAC.The commission's homepage links a rule-making order (CR-103P, WSR 26-19-079), adopted September 17, 2026, amending WAC 246-808-505 (classification of chiropractic procedures and instruments). The order marks its effective date as 31 days after filing. The text of WAC 246-808-505 on the Legislature's site on 2026-10-05 is the earlier text.Source: https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/chiropractor-chiropractic-x-ray-technician/laws · https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.25 · https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.25&full=true · https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-808 · https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-808&full=true · https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/chiropractor-chiropractic-x-ray-technician/license-requirements · https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/chiropractor-chiropractic-x-ray-technician · https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2026-09/CQACClassificationOfChiropracticProceduresAndInstrumentationCR103Pcombined-WSR2619079.pdf · checked 2026-10-05
Degree requirement
published Under RCW 18.25.020(1), each applicant who matriculates to a chiropractic college shall have completed not less than one-half of the requirements for a baccalaureate degree at an accredited and approved college or university, shall be a graduate of a chiropractic school or college accredited and approved by the commission, and shall show satisfactory evidence of completion of a resident course of study of not less than four thousand classroom hours of instruction in such school or college. The rule requires at least four thousand classroom hours, and at least one-half of a baccalaureate if you matriculated after January 1, 1975; if you matriculated before that date, you must show proof of high school graduation or its equivalent (WAC 246-808-105(1)(a), (c)). Your application must include official transcripts from prechiropractic schools showing at least two years of liberal arts and sciences study, and an official transcript and diploma from an approved chiropractic college (WAC 246-808-105(2)(c), (d)). The commission has authority to accredit chiropractic colleges, and it is the student's responsibility to ascertain whether a college has been accredited or approved by the commission (RCW 18.25.025). Under WAC 246-808-030, In determining a chiropractic college's eligibility for accreditation and approval in the state of Washington, the college must be accredited by a commission-recognized national or international accrediting body whose standards meet the criteria of WAC 246-808-040(3)(d), (e) and (f), or receive accreditation and approval from the commission in accordance with RCW 18.25.025 and WAC 246-808-040. The statute and rule state the requirement as graduation and name no degree title.The sources word the requirement differently. The statute says not less than for both the hours and the one-half; the rule says “at least” for both; the commission's page says at least 4,000 and not less than one half. For applicants who matriculated before 1975, the rule says matriculated prior to and high school graduation or its equivalent; the commission's page says enrolled before and high school or its equivalent. The statute's sentence carries no 1975 date. WAC 246-808-030 does not name the accrediting body or bodies the commission recognizes.Source: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.25&full=true · https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-808&full=true · https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/chiropractor-chiropractic-x-ray-technician/license-requirements · checked 2026-10-05
Student practice before licensure
published RCW 18.25.190 provides that Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit, among other things, the practice of chiropractic by a regular senior student in an accredited school of chiropractic approved by the commission (subsection (2)); by a person serving a period of postgraduate chiropractic training in a program of clinical chiropractic training sponsored by a school of chiropractic accredited in this state (subsection (3)); and by a person who is eligible and has applied to take the next available examination for licensing offered by the commission (subsection (4)). Each is under conditions set in its own subsection: those subsections carry the supervision conditions, the jurisprudence examination for senior students, and the time limit for applicants awaiting examination results. Services provided under any of these subsections are subject to the commission's jurisdiction as provided in chapter 18.130 RCW. WAC 246-808-190 sets the preceptor's duties and application. WAC 246-808-510 defines direct supervision and control, regular senior student and clinical postgraduate trainee. WAC 246-808-535(3) and (4) list, separately, what a regular senior student and what a clinical postgraduate trainee may perform the following under the direct supervision and control of an approved preceptor; WAC 246-808-535(5) lists auxiliary services that auxiliary staff, regular senior students and clinical postgraduate trainees may perform. The lists in 535(3) and (4) differ: the clinical postgraduate trainee list includes Adjustment or manipulation of the articulations of the body; the regular senior student list does not. RCW 18.25.190(2) and the commission's preceptorship form (DOH 641-062) refer to senior students administering adjustments once they have passed the jurisprudence examination.WAC 246-808-130 lets an applicant request a temporary practice permit, which expires on events including failure to pass the commission's examinations; its application requires written verification from all states in which the applicant has a license. WAC 246-808-133 says a temporary practice permit may be issued to an applicant who, among the rule's other conditions, holds an unrestricted, active chiropractic license in another state that has substantially equivalent licensing standards to those in Washington state.Source: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.25&full=true · https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-808&full=true · https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/chiropractor-chiropractic-x-ray-technician/license-requirements · https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Documents/Pubs/641062.pdf · checked 2026-10-05
NBCE parts required
published NBCE Parts I, II, III and IV. The rule makes passing them a condition of eligibility for licensure and of eligibility to take the commission administered examination, and requires an official certificate of proficiency sent directly to the commission from the NBCE (WAC 246-808-105(1)(b), (2)(e); WAC 246-808-115(1)). The commission's License Requirements page names the same parts. The statute lets the commission, in its discretion, waive any examination the chapter requires if, in its opinion, the applicant has successfully passed an NBCE examination of equal or greater difficulty than the examination being waived (RCW 18.25.035), and says the commission may enact additional requirements for testing administered by the NBCE (RCW 18.25.030). On reactivation, a chiropractor whose license has been expired for three years or more and who does not have an active license under the laws of any other state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or province of Canada must pass the NBCE Special Purposes Examination of Chiropractic (WAC 246-808-180(2)(b)(iii)).Source: https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-808&full=true · https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/chiropractor-chiropractic-x-ray-technician/license-requirements · https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.25&full=true · checked 2026-10-05
State-specific exam
published An examination for license whose nature the commission shall prepare or determine (RCW 18.25.0171), and which shall be developed and administered, or approved, or both, by the commission (RCW 18.25.030). The act says the commission may approve an examination prepared or administered by a private testing agency or association of licensing authorities, lists subjects the examination may include, and says the commission shall set the standards for passing; it does not name the examination. Under RCW 18.25.035, the commission may, in its discretion, waive any examination the chapter requires if, in its opinion, you have successfully passed an NBCE examination of equal or greater difficulty than the examination being waived. WAC 246-808-115(1) refers to the commission administered examination, for which passing NBCE Parts I, II, III and IV is a condition of eligibility, and does not name it. WAC 246-808-115(2) and (3) separately require all applicants to pass the open book written jurisprudence examination, with a minimum passing score of 95 percent (see Jurisprudence requirement). In its chiropractor section, the commission's License Requirements page names the NBCE parts under the heading National Examination Requirements, and, under the heading Jurisprudence (JP) Exam, an open book written examination it calls the state JP exam, mailed to you once your application and fee are received, which you must complete and return to the commission within 30 days, with a passing score of 95 percent; it names no other examination for chiropractor licensure. Neither the rule nor the commission's page says whether the commission administered examination is the state JP exam or a different exam.Source: https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/chiropractor-chiropractic-x-ray-technician/license-requirements · https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-808&full=true · https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.25&full=true · checked 2026-10-05
Jurisprudence requirement
published Yes. All applicants shall pass the open book written jurisprudence examination, with a minimum passing score of 95 percent (WAC 246-808-115(2), (3)). Applicants by endorsement must show evidence of passing an open book written jurisprudence examination with a minimum passing score of ninety-five percent (WAC 246-808-135(3)(f)). The commission's page says the exam is mailed to you once your application and fee are received, and you must complete it and return it to the commission within 30 days. The commission publishes a page of RCW and WAC references for the exam. A regular senior student must pass an open book written jurisprudence examination approved by the commission before administering a chiropractic adjustment (RCW 18.25.190(2)). Passing the jurisprudence examination is also a condition of returning to active status from an inactive credential (WAC 246-808-181) and of reactivating some expired licenses (WAC 246-808-180(2)).Source: https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-808&full=true · https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/chiropractor-chiropractic-x-ray-technician/license-requirements · https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/chiropractor-chiropractic-x-ray-technician/chiropractic-jurisprudence-exam-rcw-and-wac-references · checked 2026-10-05
Scope: what is included
published The statute defines chiropractic as health care dealing with the diagnosis or analysis and care or treatment of the vertebral subluxation complex and its effects, articular dysfunction, and musculoskeletal disorders. Chiropractic treatment or care includes spinal adjustments and extremity manipulation; 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; and physiological therapeutic procedures such as traction and light. As part of a chiropractic differential diagnosis, a chiropractor shall perform a physical examination, which may include diagnostic x-rays (RCW 18.25.005(1)–(3)). WAC 246-808-505(2) says The commission shall maintain a classified list of chiropractic procedures and instrumentation. The commission's jurisprudence references page links a Classification of Chiropractic Procedures and Instrumentation List, publication 641-042. WAC 246-808-505 is the subject of a rule-making order adopted September 17, 2026.Publication 641-042 is marked updated March 12, 2026.Source: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.25&full=true · https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-808&full=true · https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/chiropractor-chiropractic-x-ray-technician/chiropractic-jurisprudence-exam-rcw-and-wac-references · https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-02/641042.pdf · https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2026-09/CQACClassificationOfChiropracticProceduresAndInstrumentationCR103Pcombined-WSR2619079.pdf · checked 2026-10-05
Scope: what is excluded
published RCW 18.25.005(2) and (4); WAC 246-808-570; WAC 246-808-580. The commission's frequently asked questions page also addresses acupuncture, and the use of products that contain more than 0.3% THC.The FAQ's acupuncture statement names a licensed East Asian medical practitioner; the exception in WAC 246-808-580(2) names a chiropractor who is also a certified acupuncturist pursuant to chapter 18.06 RCW. RCW 18.25.005(5) concerns any other practitioner of a health profession defined in RCW 18.120.020(4), and practitioners licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW, not chiropractors. WAC 246-808-505 also provides that procedures and instruments used by a doctor of chiropractic shall be classified by the commission, including in a Nonapproved or experimental category; that rule is the subject of a rule-making order adopted September 17, 2026.Source: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.25&full=true · https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-808&full=true · https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/chiropractor-chiropractic-x-ray-technician/frequently-asked-questions · https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2026-09/CQACClassificationOfChiropracticProceduresAndInstrumentationCR103Pcombined-WSR2619079.pdf · checked 2026-10-05
Continuing education
published The statute requires, as a prerequisite to renewal, proof of attendance of at least twenty-five hours per year during the preceding credential period at one or more chiropractic symposiums recognized and approved by the commission; the commission may, for good cause shown, waive attendance (RCW 18.25.070). The rule says a chiropractor must demonstrate completion of 25 hours of continuing education each annual renewal cycle, obtained during the period between renewals (WAC 246-808-150(1)). If your first renewal period is less than one full year from licensure, no continuing education is due for it (150(2)). A chiropractor in active status who resides and practices outside Washington must meet all the requirements (150(3)). No prior approval of courses is required (150(4)). The rule lists the approved subject areas (150(5)), with CPR not to exceed a total of four hours and governmental regulations relevant to chiropractic and public health not to exceed a total of 12 hours. You must complete a one-time, three-hour training in suicide screening and referral from a qualified suicide prevention training program during the first full reporting period after initial licensure (150(6)). Beginning January 1, 2024, you must complete a minimum of two hours of health equity training every four years (150(7)). A chiropractor may earn a maximum of 12 hours for multimedia programs and for serving as a teacher or lecturer in continuing education programs approved under 150(5) (150(9)). The commission may grant exemptions or time extensions on an individual basis if a licensee fails to meet continuing education requirements due to illness, retirement, or other extenuating circumstances (150(12)). Licenses renew every year on or before your birthday.The 12-hour maximum in WAC 246-808-150(9) covers multimedia programs and teaching or lecturing; the FAQ's sentence names multimedia hours and does not mention teaching or lecturing. The commission's CE page states it recognizes the PACE program for audit documentation. The rule cites WAC 246-12-170 through 246-12-240 and WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830; the CE page cites WAC 246-12 Part 7 and WAC 246-12-830.Source: https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-808&full=true · https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.25&full=true · https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/chiropractor-chiropractic-x-ray-technician/continuing-education · https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/chiropractor-chiropractic-x-ray-technician/license-requirements · https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/chiropractor-chiropractic-x-ray-technician/frequently-asked-questions · checked 2026-10-05
Endorsement or reciprocity
published Licensure by endorsement. Under RCW 18.25.040, a person licensed in any other state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or province of Canada, with qualifications substantially equivalent to those the chapter requires, may, in the discretion of the commission, after such examination as the commission's rules may require, be issued a license without further examination, upon payment of a fee determined by the secretary. The rule requires evidence satisfactory to the commission that, at the time of application, you are licensed in another jurisdiction; have credentials and qualifications substantially equivalent to Washington's requirements for licensure by examination; have been engaged in the full-time practice of chiropractic, or have taught general clinical chiropractic subjects at an accredited school of chiropractic; meet the rule's conditions on criminal convictions and on license discipline (WAC 246-808-135(3)(d), (e)); and have passed an open book written jurisprudence examination with a minimum passing score of ninety-five percent (WAC 246-808-135(3)). The commission's page states which jurisdictions it has determined to be substantially equivalent. Separately, a chiropractor licensed by another state, territory, or country in which he or she resides may practice temporarily in Washington, under the conditions in RCW 18.25.190(1), after registering with the commission (WAC 246-808-140). Under WAC 246-808-133, the commission may issue a temporary practice permit when the applicant has met all other licensure requirements, except the national criminal background check requirement; the rule says a temporary practice permit may be issued to an applicant who holds an unrestricted, active chiropractic license in another state that has substantially equivalent licensing standards to those in Washington state, is not subject to denial of a license or issuance of a conditional or restricted license, and does not have a criminal record in Washington, and that the permit grants the full chiropractic scope of practice.On the commission's License Requirements page, the endorsement list of substantially equivalent jurisdictions includes provinces of Canada; the list under the page's Temporary Practice Permit – WAC 246-808-140 heading does not.Source: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.25&full=true · https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-808&full=true · https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/chiropractor-chiropractic-x-ray-technician/license-requirements · checked 2026-10-05
Summary
published In Washington, chiropractors are licensed by the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission under Chapter 18.25 RCW and Chapter 246-808 WAC. You must be a graduate of a chiropractic college accredited and approved by the commission, and show satisfactory evidence of completion of a resident course of study of not less than four thousand classroom hours of instruction in that college; the rule requires at least one-half of a baccalaureate if you matriculated after January 1, 1975, proof of high school graduation or its equivalent if you matriculated before that date, and prechiropractic transcripts showing at least two years of liberal arts and sciences study. You must have passed NBCE Parts I, II, III and IV, and the open book written jurisprudence examination with a minimum passing score of 95 percent, which the commission's page calls the state JP exam; the rule also refers to a commission administered examination it does not name. Before licensure, a regular senior student, a clinical postgraduate trainee, or a person who is eligible and has applied for the next available licensing examination may practice under the conditions in RCW 18.25.190(2)–(4) and WAC 246-808-190 and 246-808-535. Licenses renew every year on or before your birthday, with 25 hours of continuing education each annual renewal cycle (none due for a first renewal period of less than one full year), including a one-time three-hour suicide screening and referral training during the first full reporting period after initial licensure and, beginning January 1, 2024, a minimum of two hours of health equity training every four years; the commission may, for good cause shown, waive attendance (RCW 18.25.070). If you are licensed elsewhere with substantially equivalent qualifications, the commission may, in its discretion, license you by endorsement, subject to the rule's conditions, including the jurisprudence examination.Source: https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/chiropractor-chiropractic-x-ray-technician/commission-information · https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.25&full=true · https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-808&full=true · https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/chiropractor-chiropractic-x-ray-technician/license-requirements · checked 2026-10-05

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. Washington licensure. In The Kaleidoscope. ChiroTrack. Last verified 5 October 2026. https://kaleidoscope.thechirotrack.com/licensure-washington.html. Accessed ________.

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