Chiropractic Assistants Information and Registrations
IMPORTANT: Effective July 28, 2023, all applications are now available online through the Board's Applicant Portal. The Board no longer accepts PDF or paper applications. If you still need to submit a PDF or paper application to the Board, please use it as a reference for your online application. You can start by setting up your account in the Board's Online Applicant Portal. When accessing the Online Applicant Portal, please use Chrome on a desktop or laptop computer. Other browsers and mobile devices are not compatible and may result in errors.
The Online Portal requires each user to have a UNIQUE EMAIL ADDRESS for their login. The email address you use to set up your C.A. Registration needs to be your unique email address not, the chiropractic physician's email or the clinic's office email account.
The Arizona Board of Chiropractic Examiners welcomes your interest in becoming a Chiropractic Assistant (C.A.). Please review all the necessary information regarding registering with the Board as a C.A. and completing the required training.
A person who has had a license to practice chiropractic or any other health care profession suspended, revoked, or denied for any reason other than failing to meet education or licensing examination requirements in this or any other jurisdiction shall not perform the clinical duties of a chiropractic assistant.
Step 1. Creating your profile
All C.A.s must log in to Thentia to create their unique individual portal account.
- Select the Applicant Portal and select "New User? Apply Now" to create a CA profile.
- Once you have created your profile, you will select the Chiropractic Assistant Registration Form application type. Approved coursework must be started within three (3) months and completed within one (1) year.
Step 2. Supervisor(s) Approval
As part of the online Thentia Portal C.A. Application process, the Chiropractic Physician providing supervision will need to log into their Thentia Portal Account and approve you as their Chiropractic Assistant. You will be able to continue your application once they have approved you in the portal. See the Chiropractic Assistant How to Approval Guide for step-by-step instructions for approving C.A.'s in the portal.
Step 3. Submitting Coursework, CPR Card, and Documentation
Approved coursework must be started within three (3) months and completed within one (1) year. Once all the required chiropractic assistant coursework has been completed, you are required to upload the following documents to complete your registration:
- Arizona Statement of Citizenship of Alien Status Form
- Evidence of U.S. Citizenship, U.S. National Status, or Alien Status. See the list of accepted documents here.
- Coursework Certificates-24 clock hours of coursework, with a minimum of four (4) hours in each subject: chiropractic principles, management of common diseases, history taking, professional standard of conduct, and CPR. If the chiropractor supervising the C.A. is certified in physical medicine modalities and therapeutic procedures (PMMTP) shall complete twelve (12) hours in addition to the 24 clock hours of coursework.
- CPR Card
- Declarations
All documents will be uploaded and added to your Portal Account. You don't need to mail or submit documents directly to the Board.
Registration / Transfer:
If you are an existing Chiropractic Assistant and are transferring office locations or to a new Chiropractic Physician, you must submit your transfer through the Thentia Applicant Portal and register with the Board. You will be required to upload your CA Certificates and CPR Card. Please review the Chiropractic Assistant Registration How to Guide to create your profile and upload your certificates.
The online portal requires each user to have a UNIQUE EMAIL ADDRESS for login. The email address you use to set up your C.A. Registration needs to be your unique email address not, the chiropractic physician's email or the clinic's office email account.
Chiropractic Assistant Reference and Resources:
R4-7-1101. Use of the Term “Chiropractic Assistant”
Only a chiropractic assistant as defined in A.R.S. § 32-900 who assists a chiropractor by performing basic health care duties, shall use the term “chiropractic assistant” or “C.A.”
A. A C.A. may only perform clinical duties that are:
- Consistent with a supervising chiropractor’s licensure and certification; and
- Delegated by the supervising chiropractor.
B. Clinical duties that a chiropractic assistant may perform as directed by the supervising chiropractor under subsection (A) include, but are not limited to:
- Asepsis and infection control,
- Taking patient histories and vital signs,
- Performing first aid and CPR,
- Preparing patients for procedures,
- Assisting the supervising chiropractor with examinations and treatments, and
- Collecting and processing specimens.
C. A chiropractic assistant who meets the education requirements for physiotherapy under R4-7-1102(A) may administer, under the direct supervision of a chiropractor certified in physiotherapy,
but is not limited to administering:
- Whirlpool treatments,
- Diathermy treatments,
- Electronic galvanization stimulation treatments,
- Ultrasound therapy,
- Massage therapy,
- Traction treatments,
- Transcutaneous nerve stimulation unit treatments, and
- Hot and cold pack treatments.
D. A chiropractic assistant that meets the education requirements for acupuncture under R4-7-1102(A) may prepare and sterilize instruments and may remove acupuncture needles under the direct supervision of a chiropractor certified in acupuncture.
E. A C.A. shall not:
- Take an x-ray,
- Perform an independent examination,
- Diagnose a patient,
- Determine a regimen of patient care,
- Change the regimen of patient care set by the supervising chiropractor,
- Perform an adjustment, or
- Perform acupuncture by needle insertion.
F. A person who has had a license to practice chiropractic or any other health care profession suspended, revoked, or denied for any reason other than failing to meet education or licensing examination requirements in this or any other jurisdiction shall not perform the clinical duties of a chiropractic assistant.
G. As per A.R.S. § 32-900(4), a chiropractic assistant shall not be licensed to practice chiropractic in this or any other jurisdiction.
H. A supervising chiropractor shall be responsible for all acts or omissions of a C.A.
I. A person who does not meet the requirements of R4-7-1102 shall perform only clerical or administrative duties.
R4-7-1102. Chiropractic Assistant Training
A. A C.A. shall complete 24 clock hours of coursework, with a minimum of four hours in each of the following subjects:
- chiropractic principles,
- management of common diseases,
- history taking,
- recordkeeping,
- professional standards of conduct, and
- CPR.
If a chiropractor supervising a C.A. is certified in physiotherapy under A.R.S. § 32-922.02, the C.A. shall complete 12 hours of training in physiotherapy in addition to the 24 hours of coursework. If a chiropractor supervising a C.A. is certified in acupuncture under A.R.S. § 32-922.02, the C.A. shall complete two hours of training in acupuncture in addition to the 24 hours of coursework.
B. A C.A. shall take coursework from a Board-approved facility or chiropractor. The facility or chiropractor providing coursework shall submit documentation that describes each subject listed in subsection (A) to the Board for approval prior to offering the course.
C. A chiropractor shall inform the Board, in writing, that the chiropractor has employed a chiropractic assistant within seven days of hiring the C.A. by submitting the name of the C.A., the name and license number of the supervising chiropractor, the address and phone number where the C.A. is employed, and the initial date of hire. A C.A. shall begin Board-approved coursework within three months of initial employment with a supervising chiropractor, and shall complete the coursework within one year of initial employment with the supervising chiropractor.
D. A C.A. shall register with the Board upon completing required coursework. A C.A. shall submit a separate registration form for each place of employment and each supervisor. A C.A shall register by submitting documentation to the Board on a Board-approved form, signed by the supervising chiropractor, showing the date that the C.A. completed each required subject. The Board shall issue the C.A.’s registration upon approval of the registration form.
E. A chiropractor supervising a C.A. shall maintain at the C.A.’s place of employment a copy of the C.A.’s registration.
A list of Board Approved CA Training Courses can be found here.
To apply for Board approval please see the Board's Continuing Education & Training Provider website for the application, course criteria and instructor requirements.
You can print a copy of your Chiropractic Assistant Certificate directly from your online portal account once your registration has been completed.
An ornamental certificate of registration is available by written request. Please use the request form below and include the appropriate fee of $20 per certificate. This fee is charged pursuant to A.A.C.R4-7-1301(A)(18)
Please see the Board's Rules for Chiropractic Assistants.