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Board of chiropractic examiners outlines certification and facility rules for animal chiropractic
Summary
The Department of Health and the chiropractic board explained rules implementing 2025 legislation to certify and license animal chiropractic, setting a ~210‑hour certification requirement and facility separation rules; members sought clarification on whether informal farm practices would be affected.
Olivia Johnson (Department of Health) and Michael Varnell (board attorney) presented a rule to implement the General Assembly's 2025 public chapter authorizing chiropractic physicians to perform animal chiropractic under certification standards.
"Applicants must prove certification in animal chiropractic from the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association or similar curriculum of at least 210 hours in animal chiropractic," Johnson said. The rule also requires a separate non-carpeted room for animal treatment, dedicated equipment not used for human patients, and a posted sign in the reception area informing patients of non-human services.
Committee members pressed whether long-standing informal farmers who manipulate animals would be criminalized. Varnell said the rule implements statutory education and practice standards and "this is mostly speaking on people that are practicing in a facility." Chairman Lafferty and others clarified that private, non-commercial care of one's own animals is not the target; trading services for payment would trigger licensure requirements under the statute.
The Senate moved the rule out with a positive recommendation following the discussion; members asked for further administrative clarifications to be provided afterward.
