Active License Requirements / Minnesota Board of Chiropractic Examiners

License/Registrations

IMPORTANT NOTICE

As a function of regulation by licensure, the public can be assured that the doctor of chiropractic has met certain standards, that he/she continues to abide by certain laws and regulations, and that these laws and regulations have been specifically designed to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public from incompetence and substandard care or unethical conduct.

Chiropractic Licensure

Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) are licensed in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and in all other United States territories and jurisdictions. Doctors of Chiropractic are also authorized to practice in most other countries of the world, and in some areas serve as the primary form of health care available to the citizens.
Chiropractic Education

In spite of the myths that abound, the education of a doctor of chiropractic is very rigorous. A minimum of an Associate in Science Degree or its equivalent is required for entry to chiropractic college. This education includes (among others) education in subjects such as chemistry (organic and inorganic,) physics, biology, anatomy and physiology. The student then enters a chiropractic college for a four year full time course leading to the doctoral degree. Colleges of Chiropractic must be accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (or an international equivalent) which is approved by the United States Department of Education.
Purpose of Regulation (Licensure)

As a function of regulation by licensure, the public can be assured that the doctor of chiropractic has met certain standards, that he/she continues to abide by certain laws and regulations, and that these laws and regulations have been specifically designed to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public from incompetence or substandard care.

Licensure Requirements

Information about licensure requirements.

REQUIREMENT FOR LICENSURE TO PRACTICE
Persons interested in acquiring an active license to practice chiropractic in the State of Minnesota must first create an online account and submit an application for licensure chi.hlb.state.mn.us/#/login. In order for a person to be authorized to practice chiropractic in the state of Minnesota, they must have met the following requirements:*
- Receive a license from the Board, which further requires:
- Completion of 1/2 of all academic credits required for a baccalaureate degree in appropriate subject matter (including related sciences);
- Graduation from a college of chiropractic which is accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education or another agency appropriately approved by the U.S. Department of Education;
- Successful completion of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Part I, Part II, Part III, Physiotherapy, and Part IV Practical Examinations; **
- Successful completion of the Minnesota Board Jurisprudence Examination;
- complete a Criminal Background Check (CBC) (See the CBC tab for more information)
- Completion of an application;
- Payment of application fees.
* These requirements are subject to change through appropriate legislative or rulemaking procedures. The material above is purely informational. The specific requirements for licensure can be found in Minnesota Statutes 148.06, and Minnesota Rules 2500.0700, 2500.0720, and 2500.1000

** Licenses may now, under some circumstances, be acquired through alternative means. In short, if you are a practitioner who has been in practice in another state for more than 5 years, but have not taken the NBCE Part IV Practical Examination, you may be eligible for license consideration based on approval of the examination from another state or jurisdiction. Rules regarding the process can be found at 2500.0800. Please contact the Board directly for more information or an application.
EXEMPTIONS
The following persons may be exempt from the license requirement:
1. a student practicing under the direct supervision of a preceptor while the student is enrolled in and regularly attending a recognized chiropractic college or chiropractic program;
2. a student who is in continuing training and performing the duties of an intern or resident or engaged in postgraduate work considered by the board to be the equivalent of an internship or residency in any institution approved for training by the board;
3. a doctor of chiropractic licensed in another state or jurisdiction who is in actual consultation in Minnesota;
4. a doctor of chiropractic licensed in another state or jurisdiction who is in this state for the sole purpose of providing chiropractic services at a competitive athletic event. The doctor of chiropractic may practice chiropractic only on participants in the athletic event;
5. a doctor of chiropractic licensed in another state or jurisdiction whose duties are entirely of a research, public health, or educational character and while directly engaged in such duties, and who is employed in a scientific, sanitary, or teaching capacity by: (i) an accredited institution; (ii) a public or private school, college, or other bona fide educational institution; (iii) a nonprofit organization which has tax-exempt status in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code, section 501(c)(3), and is organized and operated primarily for the purpose of conducting scientific research; or (iv) the state department of health;
6. a doctor of chiropractic licensed in another state or jurisdiction who treats the doctor of chiropractic's home state patients or other participating patients while the doctor of chiropractic and those patients are participating together in outdoor recreation in this state as defined by section 86A.03, subdivision 3; and
7. a person licensed in another state or jurisdiction who is a commissioned officer of, a member of, or employed by the armed forces of the United States, the United States Public Health Service, the Veterans Administration, any federal institution, or any federal agency while engaged in the performance of official duties within this state.
ACTIVE LICENSE RENEWAL

Active licenses must be renewed annually on or before December 31 of each year. Renewal notices are emailed mid-November when the renewal system has been opened. To ensure that the Renewal Notices and Renewal Reminders are received, and per Minn. R. 2500.1150, Doctors of Chiropractic must keep the Board advised of their current address and email within 30 days of any change. This is done by logging in to Online Services and updating contact information in the Profile tile.

License renewal requires completion of the required continuing education prior to completion of online renewal. Failure to renew prior to December 31, will result in the expiration of the license as of January 1 and penalty fees per MINN. STAT. 148.108. Continued failure to renew the expired license will result in the license to be terminated March 1 and will require reinstatement with additional requirements. Contact the Board office for more information.

Note: Special provisions pertaining to a waiver of such requirements for military personnel who are, or have recently been, actively deployed may be found at MINN. STAT. 326.55 and MINN. STAT. 326.56.