California Code of Regulations
Title 16 - Professional and Vocational Regulations
Division 4 - State Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Article 2 - Practice of Chiropractic
Section 312 - Illegal Practice
Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 12, March 22, 2024
Unlicensed individuals are not permitted to diagnose, analyze, or perform a chiropractic adjustment. 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. An exemption is hereby created for student doctors participating in board approved preceptorship programs.
The permitted activities of unlicensed individuals are as follows:
(a) 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.
(b) Unlicensed individuals may conduct standard neurological, orthopedic, physical and chiropractic examinations, except they may not perform such examinations which require diagnostic or analytic interpretations nor may they render a conclusion either verbally or in writing regarding the patient's physical condition. As an example, unlicensed individuals may not perform evaluations of heart or lung soundings. Such individuals shall be at all times under the immediate and direct supervision of a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic.
"Immediate and direct supervision" means the licensed Doctor of Chiropractic shall be at all times on the premises where the examinations are being conducted. 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.
(c) 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. Adequate supervision shall include all of the following:
(d) Unlicensed individuals may mark X-ray films administered by a Doctor of Chiropractic. "Marking X-rays" is defined as drawing and measuring between reference points and making angular and linear measurements. 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.
(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. This prohibition, set forth in Section 30403 of Title 17 of the California Administrative Code includes the following activities:
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. Student doctors participating in board approved preceptorship programs are not to be considered "unlicensed individuals" when working in said program.
1. Repealer
and new section filed 7-16-79; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 79,
No. 29).
2. Amendment filed 2-1-80; effective thirtieth day
thereafter (Register 80, No. 5).
Note: Authority cited: Section 4(b) of the Chiropractic Initiative Act of California (Stats. 1923, p. lxxxviii). Reference: Section 15 of the Chiropractic Initiative Act of California (Stats. 1923, p. lxxxviii) and Section 25668.1, California Health and Safety Code; Section 30403 of Title 17, California Administrative Code.