Legislative Action Center
Legislative and Regulatory Achievements of the Unified Virginia Chiropractic Association
2009–Present
Since 2009, the Unified Virginia Chiropractic Association has worked to protect the rights of chiropractors in Virginia, including scope-of-practice clarification, regulatory advocacy, and inclusion of chiropractors in health care legislation.
Key achievements
2009 – Unification of Virginia chiropractic advocacy
The Virginia Chiropractic Association and Virginia Society of Chiropractic merged in 2009 to form the Unified Virginia Chiropractic Association, strengthening the profession’s legislative voice in Richmond.
2010 – Protection of Physical Medicine/Physiotherapy Services: The UVCA successfully protected and reinforced chiropractors’ authority to provide physical medicine and physiotherapy modalities by securing legislation that clarified restrictions on the advertising of “physical therapy” services would not diminish the legally authorized scope of chiropractic practice. This preserved chiropractors’ longstanding ability to provide these services in Virginia.
2010 – Dry needling recognized within chiropractic scope
At the October 28, 2010, Virginia Board of Medicine meeting, UVCA representatives sought confirmation that dry needling could fall within chiropractic scope. The Board agreed that dry needling may be performed by chiropractors when properly trained and took no adverse action because the procedure appeared to fall within chiropractic scope.
2017 – Commercial driver / DOT physicals
HB 1688 amended Virginia law to include, within the practice of chiropractic, performing physical examinations for applicants for a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit, provided the chiropractor is certified as a medical examiner under FMCSA rules and listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. The bill was approved February 23, 2017, and became effective July 1, 2017.
2019: The General Assembly updated the definition of Chiropractic to include requesting, receiving, reviewing, and documenting a patient’s physical and medical history.
2020: Telehealth (2020–2021)
Chiropractors were included in the modernization of Virginia’s telehealth laws. Chiropractors may now perform services that can appropriately be delivered remotely, including consultations, follow-up visits, exercise instruction, ergonomic counseling, and patient education.
2025 – Nutrition, vitamins, minerals, and food supplements
HB 1646 / SB 1015 amended the definition of chiropractic practice to include recommending or directing patients on the use of vitamins, minerals, and food supplements. The law requires the rationale to be documented in the patient record and based on a reasonable expectation of patient benefit.
Key Doctor Training Video
Legislative Team
The Keeney Group
The Keeney Group represents state legislative and regulatory interests for a limited and distinguished list of clients, with specialization in health care professions. Bruce B. Keeney, Sr., Chairman, has been an active lobbyist before the Virginia General Assembly for over thirty years. He is joined by his son, Bruce Keeney, President and is supported by an experienced administrative staff.
The Keeney Group maintains a well-established, ethical and professional reputation in representing interests of clients before the Virginia General Assembly, the Executive Branch and in regulatory affairs. The company maintains an excellent track record of success for clients. Despite often insurmountable odds and opposition, almost every major piece of legislation advocated by the Keeneys since 1975 has been enacted into law. Most leaders of the Virginia legislature count the Keeneys as among the topmost effective and credible lobbyists. Perhaps best known for their vigilance in representing clients, Bruce and Bo Keeney have a history of working closely with those they represent, becoming knowledgeable on issues of importance and in guiding the client to success in the legislative or regulatory process.
Office headquarters are located in Henrico, Virginia, providing convenient access to the General Assembly Building, the State Capitol, and to Cabinet Secretary offices.
Legislative Committee
Co-Chairs:
Joe Foley, DC
William Ward, DC
Bruce Keeney
Bo Keeney