Committee approves amended bill to create certified chiropractic assistant credential

The House Professional Licensure Committee on Tuesday reported House Bill 1106 as amended, creating a certified chiropractic assistant credential and restoring chiropractors’ ability to delegate therapeutic exercise to supervised support staff.

Representative Borowski, the bill sponsor, told the committee the measure ‘‘establishes a formal certification pathway for chiropractic assistance and restores chiropractors’ ability to delegate therapeutic exercise,’’ aligning Pennsylvania with what she said is ‘‘a practice already standard in 49 other states’’ and with Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards guidance. She said there are 3,775 licensed chiropractors in Pennsylvania and that the annual industry value is about $800,000,000, arguing the bill will reduce provider burnout, expand access and lower patient costs.

Carrie, committee staff, explained Amendment A00303, saying it "adds a definition of certified chiropractic assistant, clarifies delegation to a CCA, adds that a licensed chiropractor may be disciplined for failing to properly supervise a CCA, and clarifies requirements for a temporary certificate." The committee asked no further questions and voted to adopt the amendment.

After the amendment was agreed to with no negative votes, the committee voted to report HB1106 out of committee as amended.

The measure delegates therapeutic exercise to a certified assistant operating under the direct supervision of a licensed doctor of chiropractic and establishes certification administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, according to the sponsor’s presentation. The committee did not record additional changes beyond the amendment accepted during the meeting.

The committee’s action sends the amended bill to the next legislative stage for further consideration.