Requirements:

The rules related to Chiropractic Assistants can be found in Arizona Administrative Code R4-7-1101, R4-7-1102, and R4-7-1103

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.”

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.

R4-7-1103. Scope of Practice:

A. A C.A. may only perform clinical duties that are:

1. Consistent with a supervising chiropractor’s licensure and certification; and
2. 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:

1. Asepsis and infection control,
2. Taking patient histories and vital signs,
3. Performing first aid and CPR,
4. Preparing patients for procedures,
5. Assisting the supervising chiropractor with examinations and treatments, and
6. 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:

1. Whirlpool treatments,
2. Diathermy treatments,
3. Electronic galvanization stimulation treatments,
4. Ultrasound therapy,
5. Massage therapy,
6. Traction treatments,
7. Transcutaneous nerve stimulation unit treatments, and
8. 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:

1. Take an x-ray,
2. Perform an independent examination,
3. Diagnose a patient,
4. Determine a regimen of patient care,
5. Change the regimen of patient care set by the supervising chiropractor,
6. Perform an adjustment, or
7. 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.

CA Training Courses:

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, the CA Training Course Application can be found here.

Employment Form:

The Employment form must be submitted for each CA within 7 days. If the CA will be working under the supervision of multiple doctors, please use the appropriate form.

Registration / Transfer:

Approved coursework must be started within three months and completed within one year. Once all of the required chiropractic assistant coursework has been completed, please complete the Chiropractic Assistant Registration Form and submit it online. If the CA was previously registered and transfering registration to a new doctor, they must complete and submit the Registration form. 

• You must answer all questions. Incorrect or incomplete registration forms will be rejected and require resubmittal, causing delays in registration.

• You must indicate the number of hours completed, the course identification number, the start dates and the completion dates for each of the courses completed by the C.A. including coursework for Physical Medicine Modalities and Therapeutic Procedures and Acupuncture. The course instructor should provide you with the Course ID number.

• For the CPR course identification number, you may enter the name of the provider or sponsor of the course (e.g. Tucson Fire Department, Heart Savers, AHA, or Red Cross). Please do not list the specific instructor, but the name of the organization with which they are affiliated. Please note that you must electronically attach a copy of the CPR card. 

The Board moved to an online application system allowing Chiroactic Assistant to complete their application online. With its continued success, paper applications are no longer available.

A copy of the approved Chiropractic Assistant Registration form will be returned to the email provided. You must maintain this copy of the registration at the chiropractic assistant’s place of employment. 

Ornamental Certificate:

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)