Chiropractic in Virginia
VCA has provided a forum for Virginia DC’s since 1925 and frequently represents our profession in front of the public, the Virginia General Assembly and state regulators. The VCA makes no claims expressed and/or implied nor does it provide legal advice or endorse any specific practice area or techniques. Our web site and its contents are meant to better serve our members and the general public in regard to matters involving the chiropractic field. The VCA makes no claims or guarantees about the veracity, completeness or adequacy of material provided in this web site and expressly disclaims liability for all unintentional errors and/or omissions. No warranty of any kind is offered in regard to the material provided via this web site or any third party sites accessible via hyperlinks.
Per the Virginia Board of Medicine, “Practice of chiropractic means the adjustment of the twenty-four movable vertebrae of the spinal column, and assisting nature for the purpose of normalizing the transmission of nerve energy. It does not include the use of surgery, obstetrics, osteopathy, nor the administration of any drugs, medicines, serums or vaccines….”
Physical Medicine: AG opinion regarding DC scope.
Dry Needling
Dear Members:
We’ve had a lot of questions about dry needling and DC scope in Virginia. As reported previously, Unified VCA leadership, legal and legislative consultants first researched the technique and the standard for training in the United States. Subsequently, Association representatives attended the 10/28/10 Virginia Board of Medicine meeting to confirm that the BOM agrees with our interpretation that dry needling is within a DC’s scope, as long as the Chiropractor has documentation that he received clinical training as part of his doctoral level education and/or attended a program sponsored by a CCE-accredited college of at least 12 hours. Following is the section of the Virginia Board of Medicine minutes that pertains to this issue.
Dry Needling by Chiropractors
Bill Ward, DC from Fredericksburg addressed the Board and asked their support in authorizing doctors of chiropractic to perform dry needling under
their scope of practice. He outlined the training to be provided to chiropractors prior to undertaking this procedure.
After some discussion, the Board agreed that this procedure is to be viewed as any other new procedure to be performed by a practitioner in his/her
scope of practice. It is incumbent upon the practitioner to ensure he/she is properly educated and trained prior to performing dry needling with patients.
Dr. Dalton moved that no action be taken since the procedure appears to fall within the chiropractic scope of practice. The motion was seconded and
carried unanimously.
IMPORTANT! Please note that the Board of Medicine’s position on this issue is based on DCs attending training as described above.
Thank you.
Unified Virginia Chiropractic Association
Doctor of Chiropractic licensure in Virginia is granted by the Virginia Board of Medicine in Richmond, Virginia.
Go to: https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Medicine/PractitionerResources/LawsRegulations/, then click on “Laws Governing Medicine” and “Regulations Governing Medicine”
For instructions and requirements regarding applying to practice Chiropractic in Virginia, go to https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Medicine/ApplicantResources/ApplyforLicense/Chiropractor/
Application Fee
$277, non-refundable
Required Documents
Copy of diploma and transcript of grades from chiropractic college. A chronological record of all activities since graduation, giving location, dates and types of service. Business address required.
Examination
No state exams. Part IV of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners examination (NBCE) required if you graduated after January 1996.
Eligibility
- If the applicant matriculated in a chiropractic college on or after July 1, 1975, he shall be a graduate of a chiropractic college accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council of Chiropractic Education or any other organization approved by the board.
- If the applicant matriculated in a chiropractic college prior to July 1, 1975, he shall be a graduate of a chiropractic college accredited by the American Chiropractic Association or the International Chiropractic Association or any other organization approved by the board.
- An applicant who graduated after January 31, 1996 shall document successful completion of Parts I, II, III, and IV of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners examination (NBCE).
- An applicant who graduated from January 31, 1991 to January 31, 1996 shall document successful completion of Parts I, II, and III of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners examination (NBCE).
- An applicant who graduated from July 1, 1965 to January 31, 1991, shall document successful completion of Parts I, II, and III of the NBCE, or Parts I and II of the NBCE and the Special Purpose Examination for Chiropractic (SPEC), and document evidence of licensure in another state for at least two years immediately preceding his application.
- An applicant who graduated prior to July 1, 1965 shall document successful completion of the SPEC, and document evidence of licensure in another state for at least two years immediately preceding his application.
- An applicant must be 18 years of age or more.
- An applicant must be shown to have good moral character.
LICENSE RENEWAL is due in even years during DC’s birthday month. First time DC renews license in VA, no CEU requirements are due.
- Example 1. DC gets licensed in August 2016, birthday is in December. DC renews license in Dec 2018 but no CEUs are required until next renewal in Dec 2020.
- Example 2. DC gets license in May 2017, birthday is in January. DC renews license in Jan 2018, but no CEUs are required until renewal in Jan 2020.
CEUs are due in even years during DC’s birthday month. No CEUs due at time of first renewal.
What are the CEU requirements in Virginia?
- 60 hours total every 2 years.
- Virginia is different than other states in its differentiation between Type 1 and Type II hours.
- At least 30 hours must qualify as Type I (clinical in nature; approved by the UVCA, a CCE-accredited chiropractic college, or PACE).
- No more than 30 hours may be Type II (can include practice management and other non-clinical topics pertinent to chiropractic practice).
For upcoming events that provide DCs with the high quality CEUs they need on the topics they want, visit the UVCA calendar of events.
Go to http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Medicine/PractitionerResources/LawsRegulations/ Select “Regulations Governing Medicine”
Then click on “Regulations Governing the Practice of Medicine, Osteopathy, Podiatry and Chiropractic”
Board of Medicine Staff Directory
Chiropractic Representative to the Virginia Board of Medicine: Jennifer Rathmann, DC
Virginia Department of Health Professions — Virginia Board of Medicine
Perimeter Center
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
Henrico, VA 23233-1463
Main Phone Numbers: 804-367-4600 or 804-367-4451
Complaints: 800-533-1560
Automated License Verification: 804-270-6836
Email: medbd@dhp.virginia.gov
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except holidays)