Senate committee advances bill to create temporary chiropractic assistant certificate and update board rules

Dan Musgrove, counsel to the Chiropractic Physicians Board, and Dr. Jaeger, legislative chair for the board, presented Assembly Bill 513 to the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee as a set of updates to the Chiropractic Physicians' statutory authority and licensure processes.

Dr. Jaeger described the principal changes: allow chiropractic assistants to receive a temporary certificate to work under direct supervision of a licensed chiropractic physician to cover staffing shortages; remove a membership requirement for a board seat described as representing providers to indigent or uninsured patients; permit "on demand" administration of certain board examinations rather than only semiannual administration; and remove the jurisprudence exam in favor of an attestation that applicants have read and will abide by Nevada statutes and board regulations.

"This opens up applications and applicants from Europe, Australia, Asia, and Africa," Jaeger said when explaining how conforming language tied to the Council on Chiropractic Education broadens the pool of applicants for the Nevada credential.

The bill also clarified continuing-education fee language to include courses for dry needling and required that cease-and-desist orders include a mailing and email address.

The committee later held a work session on AB513. Senator Scheibel moved to do pass the bill; Senator Daley seconded. The motion carried on voice vote and Senator Scheibel was assigned the floor statement.

Why it matters: Supporters said the changes would modernize board operations, make temporary assistance available to clinics facing staffing disruptions, and reduce administrative friction in licensure and continuing education processes.

What's next: After the committee work session approved AB513, the bill will move toward floor consideration per the assigned floor statement.