Section 17-4811. SCOPE OF PRACTICE

 

4811.1  A chiropractor who is licensed to practice in the District of Columbia under the provisions of this chapter may provide the following chiropractic services:

 

(a)  Locating, diagnosing, and analyzing subluxated vertebrae as follows:

 

 (1)  By x-ray of the spinal column;

 

 (2)  By physical examination; and

 

 (3)  By employing other non-invasive procedures such as MRI and  CAT scan;

 

(b)  Correcting vertebral subluxation displacement by applying specific localized force to the spine;

 

(c)  Advising and instructing a patient about exercise, stress management, and nutrition;

 

(d)  Referring a patient for specialized diagnostic testing, which may be necessary for chiropractic treatment or patient safety;

 

(e)  Referring a patient to other healthcare practitioners as the chiropractor deems necessary; and

 

(f)  Diagnosing and treating bodily articulations by means of manipulation or adjustments.

 

4811.2  A chiropractor who is certified by the Board to perform ancillary procedures pursuant to § 4803.3 may perform any physiotherapy for which the chiropractor has received specialized training at a program or institution listed in § 4807.1 provided the physiotherapy is preparatory or complementary to chiropractic care.

 

4811.3  A chiropractor not licensed to practice in the District of Columbia but who is licensed and in good standing in any other state, territory, or jurisdiction of the United States or any other nation or foreign jurisdiction may engage in the practice of chiropractic if he or she is employed or designated in his or her professional capacity by a sports or performing arts entity visiting the District of Columbia for a specific sports or performing arts event subject to the following restrictions and rules:

 

(a)  The practice of chiropractic subject to this rule shall be limited to members, coaches, or official staff of the team or event for which that chiropractor is designated. If services are requested by a specific athlete or performer, the practice of chiropractic shall be limited to services performed for that individual only;

 

(b)  The practice of chiropractic as authorized by this rule shall be limited to the designated venue of the event or designated treatment area for the event. The Board, in its discretion, may audit, review, or inspect the venue and chiropractic services rendered;

 

(c)  A chiropractor practicing under the authority of this section may use             only those practices and procedures that are within the scope of chiropractic practice in the District of Columbia as authorized by statute and the rules governing chiropractic practice in the District of Columbia; and

 

(d)  Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the visiting chiropractor shall                              request and receive written permission from the Board at least sixty (60) days before the start of practice in the District, and the visiting chiropractor may practice chiropractic in the District no more than fourteen (14) days during any calendar year.

 

4811.4  A student enrolled at an approved chiropractic college may perform chiropractic procedures provided the student has successfully completed at least one (1) academic year of schooling and the chiropractic procedures are performed under the supervision and direction of an authorized instructor duly licensed to practice chiropractic in the District of Columbia.

 

4811.5  A student enrolled at an approved chiropractic college may perform chiropractic procedures at a location other than the premises of the chiropractic college at which the student is enrolled, provided the student has successfully completed a minimum of three (3) academic years of chiropractic college and has met all of the chiropractic college's requirements concerning its student/preceptor program. The chiropractic procedures performed by the student shall be performed under the supervision and direction of a Chiropractic Preceptor.  A duly authorized instructor or Chiropractic Preceptor shall be within the immediate patient treatment area, the clinic proper, and available to the student at all times.

 

4811.6  A student performing chiropractic procedures at a location other than the premises of the chiropractic college at which the student is enrolled and under the supervision and direction of a Chiropractic Preceptor shall be known as a "Chiropractic Intern" and shall not represent him or herself to the public as a licensed Chiropractor or use terms such as "Chiropractor", "Doctor of Chiropractic" or "D.C."

 

4811.7  The Chiropractic Preceptor shall be approved by the Board before supervising a chiropractic student. To qualify as a Chiropractic Preceptor, the chiropractor shall:

 

(a) Be licensed to practice chiropractic in the District of Columbia for not less          than five (5) years;

 

(b)  Not have had any public or private sanction against his or her license to practice chiropractic in the District of Columbia or any other state;

 

(c)  Disclose if he or she has been convicted or found guilty of a violation of any law other than a minor traffic violation within seven years prior to his or her application to serve as a preceptor; and

 

(d)  Have the written approval of the chiropractic student's chiropractic college             to serve as an adjunct faculty member for the purpose of a student/preceptor program.

 

4811.8  Any chiropractic procedure performed by a chiropractic student shall be in compliance with all laws, rules, and regulations regarding the practice of chiropractic in the District of Columbia.

 

4811.9  The primary responsibility for the programming and treatment of the patient by the chiropractic student shall rest with the Chiropractic Preceptor or other authorized instructor.

 

4811.10  Documentation of all programming and treatment of the patient and all changes to the programming and treatment plans shall be reviewed and approved by the authorized instructor or Chiropractic Preceptor.

 

4811.11  The chiropractic college shall notify the Board of the specific dates that a  Chiropractic Intern shall be serving as a Chiropractic Intern under the supervision  and direction of a Chiropractic Preceptor.

 

4811.12  The Board's approval for any chiropractor serving as a Chiropractic Preceptor shall expire December 31st of each even-numbered year. The chiropractic college shall submit to the Board for reapproval the required documentation concerning each Chiropractic Preceptor during the last quarter of the even-numbered year.

 

 

authority

Section 302(14) of the District of Columbia Health Occupations Revision Act of 1985 (“Health Occupations Revision Act”), effective March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-99; D.C. Official Code § 3-1203.02(14) (2012 Repl.)), and Mayor’s Order 98-140, dated August 20, 1998.

source

Final Rulemaking published at 35 DCR 6658, 6663 (September 2, 1986); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 37 DCR 2747, 2750 (May 4, 1990); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 49 DCR 6820 (July 19, 2002); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 49 DCR 11237 (December 13, 2002); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 3955 (May 23, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 55 DCR 7946 (July 25, 2008); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 13109 (October 21, 2016).