← The business of practice, every jurisdiction · Iowa licensure
What Iowa’s statute, administrative rules and chiropractic board publish on eight topics of running a practice, quoted as published, each with its citation as printed, its source and the date we read it. Read on 9 October 2026.
Advertising · Titles and claims · Prepaid care and financial arrangements · Discounts, free services and inducements · Record retention · Assistants and delegation · Corporate practice and ownership · Telehealth
A license or certificate to practice as a chiropractor may be revoked or suspended when the licensee or certificate holder is guilty of the following acts or offenses:151.9 · www.legis.iowa.gov · 151.pdf · read 9 October 2026
6. Use of untruthful or improbable statements in advertisements.151.9(6) · www.legis.iowa.gov · 151.pdf · read 9 October 2026
481—845.1(151,272C) Grounds for discipline. The board may impose any of the disciplinary sanctions provided in rule 481—504.3(272C) when the board determines that the licensee is guilty of any of the following acts or offenses or those listed in 481—Chapter 504:481—845.1 · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.845.pdf · read 9 October 2026
845.1(2) Use of untruthful or improbable statements in advertisements and marketing. Use of untruthful or improbable statements in advertisements includes but is not limited to an action by a licensee in making information or intention known to the public that is false, deceptive, misleading or promoted through fraud or misrepresentation, or representations that are likely to cause the average person to misunderstand. The term “advertisements” includes oral, written, electronic, and other types of communication disseminated by or at the direction of a licensee for the purpose of encouraging or soliciting the use of the licensee’s services.481—845.1(2) · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.845.pdf · read 9 October 2026
Every licensee shall place upon all signs used by the licensee, and display prominently in the licensee’s office the word “chiropractor”.151.6 · www.legis.iowa.gov · 151.pdf · read 9 October 2026
Any person licensed to practice a profession under this subtitle may append to the person’s name any recognized title or abbreviation, which the person is entitled to use, to designate the person’s particular profession, but no other person shall assume or use such title or abbreviation, and no licensee shall advertise in such a manner as to lead the public to believe that the licensee is engaged in the practice of any other profession than the one which the licensee is licensed to practice.147.72 · www.legis.iowa.gov · 147.pdf · read 9 October 2026
1. Any person who falsely claims by the use of any professional title or abbreviation, either in writing, cards, signs, circulars, advertisements, the internet, or other written or electronic means, to be a practitioner of a profession other than the one under which the person holds a license or who fails to use the designations provided in this section shall be guilty of a simple misdemeanor.147.74(1) · www.legis.iowa.gov · 147.pdf · read 9 October 2026
4. A chiropractor may use the prefix “Dr.” or “Doctor”, but shall add after the person’s name the letters, “D. C.” or the word, “chiropractor”.147.74(4) · www.legis.iowa.gov · 147.pdf · read 9 October 2026
481—845.1(151,272C) Grounds for discipline. The board may impose any of the disciplinary sanctions provided in rule 481—504.3(272C) when the board determines that the licensee is guilty of any of the following acts or offenses or those listed in 481—Chapter 504:481—845.1 · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.845.pdf · read 9 October 2026
845.1(1) Knowingly making misleading, deceptive, untrue or fraudulent representations in the practice of the profession or engaging in unethical conduct or practice harmful or detrimental to the public. This includes representations utilizing the term “physical therapy” when informing the public of the services offered by the chiropractic physician unless a licensed physical therapist is performing such services. Nothing herein will be construed as prohibiting a chiropractic physician from making representations regarding physiotherapy that may be the same as, or similar to, physical therapy or physical medicine as long as treatment is appropriate as authorized in Iowa Code chapter 151. Proof of actual injury need not be established.481—845.1(1) · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.845.pdf · read 9 October 2026
843.8(11) A chiropractic physician who offers a prepayment plan for chiropractic services will:481—843.8(11) · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · read 9 October 2026
a. Have a written prepayment policy statement that is maintained in the office and available to patients upon request. The policy statement, at a minimum, will include provisions that:481—843.8(11)“a” · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · read 9 October 2026
(1) Prepaid funds will not be expended until services are provided; and481—843.8(11)“a”(1) · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · read 9 October 2026
(2) The patient will receive a prompt refund of any unused funds upon request. The refund will be calculated based on a defined method, which will be clearly set forth in the written prepayment policy statement.481—843.8(11)“a”(2) · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · read 9 October 2026
b. Require the patient to sign and date a prepayment document that incorporates the conditions and descriptions of the written prepayment policy statement.481—843.8(11)“b” · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · read 9 October 2026
c. Maintain the signed and dated written prepayment policy statement in the patient’s record.481—843.8(11)“c” · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · read 9 October 2026
481—845.1(151,272C) Grounds for discipline. The board may impose any of the disciplinary sanctions provided in rule 481—504.3(272C) when the board determines that the licensee is guilty of any of the following acts or offenses or those listed in 481—Chapter 504:481—845.1 · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.845.pdf · read 9 October 2026
845.1(3) Violate the provisions of direct health care agreements pursuant to Iowa Code section 135N.1.481—845.1(3) · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.845.pdf · read 9 October 2026
843.9(8) For cases not involving third-party payers, nothing in this rule will prevent a chiropractic physician from providing a fee reduction for reasonable time of service or substantiated hardship cases. The chiropractic physician will document time of service or hardship case fee reduction provisions in the patient record.481—843.9(8) · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · read 9 October 2026
843.9(9) The chiropractic physician will not enter into an agreement to waive, abrogate, or rebate the deductible or copayment amounts of any third-party payer contract by forgiving any or all of any patient’s obligation for payment thereunder, except in substantiated hardship cases, unless the third-party payer is notified in writing of the fact of such waiver, abrogation, rebate, or forgiveness in accordance with the third-party payer contract. The chiropractic physician will document any hardship case fee reduction provisions in the patient record.481—843.9(9) · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · read 9 October 2026
Chiropractic physicians will maintain clinical records in a manner consistent with the protection of the welfare of the patient.481—843.8(1) · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · read 9 October 2026
Recordkeeping rules apply to all patient records whether handwritten, typed or maintained electronically.481—843.8(1) · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · read 9 October 2026
843.8(3) Retention of records. A chiropractic physician will maintain a patient’s record(s) for a minimum of six years after the date of last examination or treatment. Records for minors will be maintained for one year after the patient reaches the age of majority (18) or six years after the date of last examination or treatment, whichever is longer. Proper safeguards will be maintained to ensure the safety of records from destructive elements. This provision includes both clinical and fiscal records.481—843.8(3) · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · read 9 October 2026
843.8(4) Electronic recordkeeping. When electronic records, which include both electronically created records and scanned paper records, are utilized, a chiropractic physician will maintain either a duplicate hard-copy record or a backup electronic record.481—843.8(4) · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · read 9 October 2026
843.8(8) Confidentiality and transfer of records. Chiropractic physicians will preserve the confidentiality of patient records. Upon signed request of the patient, the chiropractic physician will furnish such records or copies of the records as directed by the patient within 30 days. A notation indicating the items transferred, date of transfer and method of transfer will be maintained in the patient record. The chiropractic physician may charge a reasonable fee for duplication of records but may not refuse to transfer records for nonpayment of any fees. A written request may be required before the transfer of the record(s), including, for example, compliance with HIPAA regulations. In certain instances, a summary of the record may be more beneficial for the future treatment of the patient; however, if a third party requests copies of the original documentation, that request must be honored.481—843.8(8) · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · read 9 October 2026
843.9(3) Upon signed request of the patient, the chiropractic physician will furnish billing records or copies of the records as directed by the patient within 30 days. The chiropractic physician may charge a reasonable fee for duplication of records, but may not refuse to transfer records for nonpayment of any outstanding balance.481—843.9(3) · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · read 9 October 2026
“Certified chiropractic assistant” means a person who has completed a certified chiropractic assistant training program to perform selected chiropractic health care services under the supervision of a chiropractic physician.481—843.1 · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · read 9 October 2026
“Supervision” means the physical presence and direction of the supervising chiropractic physician at the location where services are rendered.481—843.1 · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · read 9 October 2026
b. The supervising chiropractic physician may delegate services to a certified chiropractic assistant that are within the scope of practice of the chiropractic physician in a manner consistent with these rules. Violation of these rules will be grounds for discipline under 481—Chapter 845.481—843.10(1)“b” · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · read 9 October 2026
c. A chiropractic physician will not delegate to the certified chiropractic assistant the following:481—843.10(1)“c” · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · read 9 October 2026
(1) Services outside the chiropractic physician’s scope of practice;481—843.10(1)“c”(1) · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · read 9 October 2026
(2) Initiation, alteration, or termination of chiropractic treatment programs;481—843.10(1)“c”(2) · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · read 9 October 2026
(3) Chiropractic manipulation and adjustments;481—843.10(1)“c”(3) · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · read 9 October 2026
(4) Diagnosis of a condition.481—843.10(1)“c”(4) · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · read 9 October 2026
843.9(5) Chiropractic physicians:481—843.9(5) · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · read 9 October 2026
a. Who are owners, operators, members, partners, shareholders, officers, directors, or managers of a chiropractic clinic will be responsible for the policies, procedures and billings generated by the clinic.481—843.9(5)“a” · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · read 9 October 2026
Shown only where the jurisdiction publishes a provision specific to chiropractic.
not found Not found in what we read on 9 October 2026. Pages read: www.legis.iowa.gov · 151.pdf · www.legis.iowa.gov · 147.pdf · www.legis.iowa.gov · 135N.1.pdf · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.841.pdf · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.842.pdf · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.843.pdf · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.844.pdf · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.845.pdf · www.legis.iowa.gov · 481.846.pdf · www.legis.iowa.gov · 05-28-2025.481.504.pdf · dial.iowa.gov · board-chiropractic · dial.iowa.gov · chiropractic · dial.iowa.gov · how-do-i-apply-chiropractic-license · dial.iowa.gov · administrative-rules. Read the text of each page and searched it for telehealth, telemedicine, electronic and remote; the only hits for electronic concern records, signatures, advertisements, titles and continuing-education programs, and no chiropractic-specific telehealth provision was found. Reach: Iowa Code chapter 151, chapter 147 and section 135N.1 (both cited by the chiropractic statute, rules or board page), 481 IAC chapters 841 to 846 and chapter 504 (cited by 845.1), and the board's pages listed. Absence in what we read is not absence in the jurisdiction’s law.The jurisdiction is the authority on everything here. These pages quote what the statute, the rules and the board publish and the date we read them; they do not interpret it. Laws and rules change. Confirm anything you intend to act on with the board.