§ 90-143.4.  Chiropractic clinical assistants; certification of competency.

(a) "Chiropractic clinical assistant" means a nonlicensed employee of a chiropractic physician whose duties include (i) collecting general health data, such as the taking of an oral history or vital sign measurements, (ii) applying therapeutic procedures, such as thermal, sound, light and electrical modalities, and hydrotherapy, and (iii) monitoring prescribed rehabilitative activities. Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow a chiropractic clinical assistant to provide a chiropractic adjustment, manual therapy, nutritional instruction, counseling, or any other therapeutic service that requires individual licensure.

(b) Any person employed as a chiropractic clinical assistant shall obtain a certificate of competency from the North Carolina State Board of Chiropractic Examiners (Board) within 180 days after the person begins employment. Certification shall not be required for employees whose duties are limited to administrative activities of a nonclinical nature. Except as otherwise provided in G.S. 90-142.1 and this section, it shall be unlawful for any person to practice as a chiropractic clinical assistant unless duly certified by the Board.

(c) An applicant for certification under this section shall be (i) at least 18 years of age, (ii) a high school graduate or the equivalent, (iii) of good moral character, and (iv) able to demonstrate proficiency in the following subjects:

(1) Basic anatomy.

(2) Chiropractic philosophy and terminology.

(3) Utilization of standard therapeutic modalities.

(4) Contraindications and response to emergencies.

(5) Jurisprudence and patient privacy protection.

(d) If an applicant for certification is already certified or registered as a chiropractic clinical assistant in another state, the Board shall issue a certificate of competency upon evidence that the applicant is in good standing in the other state, provided the requirements for certification or registration in the other state are substantially similar to or more stringent than the requirements for certification in this State.

(e) Any certificate issued under this section shall expire at the end of the calendar year unless renewed in a time and manner established by the Board. Applicants for initial certification or renewal of certification shall pay to the secretary of the Board a fee as prescribed and set by the Board, which fee shall not exceed fifty dollars ($50.00).

(f) The Board may adopt rules pertaining to initial educational requirements, course approval, instructor credentials, examination of applicants, grandfathering, reciprocity, continuing education requirements, and the submission and processing of applications as are reasonably necessary to enforce this section. (2013-290, s. 1; 2016-117, s. 1(a); 2017-57, s. 11J.3(b); 2021-120, s. 1(a).)