How many continuing education hours are required during a reporting period?

Chiropractors licensed in Alabama must complete eighteen (18) hours of continuing education every year.

New Licensees: The continuing educational requirement for the purpose of license renewal for any person who has graduated from a recognized CCE chiropractic college within the licensure year immediately preceding the licensure year indicated on the license renewal form except hours for the four (4) hours of continuing education in Board approved courses on chiropractic regulation and compliance with the Alabama Chiropractic Practice Act and Board Rules may be met through attendance at a recognized CCE chiropractic college (a minimum of 18 hours). This applies only to the first license renewal period after initial licensing.

How long is the reporting period?

One year. 

Due Date

September 30^th.

Can CE credits be carried over into the next reporting period?

N/A

Are there any specific courses that must be taken?

A chiropractor must obtain a minimum of two (2) hours of continuing education in Board approved courses on chiropractic regulation and compliance with the Alabama Chiropractic Practice Act and Board rules, every year.

Any individual who is initially licensed as a chiropractor in Alabama after October 1, 2011 shall complete as part of the continuing education requirement four (4) hours of continuing education in Board approved courses on chiropractic regulation and compliance with the Alabama Chiropractic Practice Act and Board Rules as a condition of renewal for the year following their initial licensure.

What types of activities can be used for the continuing education requirements?

Continuing education programs may include, but are not limited to, programs that address the following:

• Government regulations;
• Clinical and technological subjects including but not limited to techniques and procedures in the Alabama scope of chiropractic or recognized specialties, chiropractic equipment, diagnosis and treatment planning and radiology;
• Risk Management; and
• CPR.

Are there limitations on the types of courses that can be taken?

No more than one third (1/3) of the required hours may be completed in a distance based continuing education format.

What type of courses or activities are not allowed?

N/A

What type of approval is needed for the courses?

Courses must be approved by the Alabama State Board of Chiropractic Examiners.

Programs meeting the general requirements may be developed and offered by any of the following agencies or organizations:

• National, state, district or local chiropractic associations;
• Accredited colleges or schools;
• Individuals or organizations established to provide chiropractic post graduate courses;
• The Red Cross;
• American Heart Association.

What are the reporting requirements?

N/A

How long must continuing education records be retained?

N/A

Waiver

A DC who cannot complete the continuing educational requirements because of personal physical illness or disability, military service or other circumstances beyond the DC’s control which the board deems to be sufficient to impose a hardship may apply for a waiver or deferral of time to complete the continuing education requirements. Any wavier or deferral of time to complete the education requirements will be granted solely in the discretion of the board.

A DC seeking a wavier or deferral must make application on the form provided by the Executive Director of the Board, prior to the December 31^st license expiration for completion of the education requirement. For waivers or deferrals due to illness, the application form must be accompanied by a written statement from a physician stating the diagnosis, prognosis and length of time the licensee will be unable to practice or attend an educational program. Waivers or deferrals due to personal physical illness or disability may be granted only to a DC who has suffered a personal illness or personal disability of a nature that prevented or will prevent him/her from engaging in the active practice of chiropractic for a significant portion of the continuing education period.

All DCs seeking wavier or deferral shall provide full and complete written documentation of the grounds supporting the reasons for which a deferral is sought. A DC who request a wavier or deferral of time to complete the required hours of continuing education shall not engage in the active practice of chiropractic beyond December 31 of any year and until the board grants the licensee’s request for wavier or deferral.

Audit

N/A

References

Ala. Admin. Code 190-X-2-.11

Ala. Admin. Code 190-X-1-.19