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HB2777 - 572R - I Ver
REFERENCE TITLE:
chiropractic assistants; scope of practice
State of Arizona
House of Representatives
Fifty-seventh Legislature
Second Regular Session
2026
HB 2777
Introduced by
Representative
Liguori
AN
ACT
AMending section 32-900, Arizona
Revised Statutes; repealing section 32-930, Arizona Revised Statutes;
amending title 32, chapter 8, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding a
new section 32-930; amending title 32, chapter 8, article 2, Arizona
Revised Statutes, by adding sections 32-930.01, 32-930.02 and 32-930.03;
amending sections 41-619.51, 41-1758 and 41-1758.01, Arizona
Revised Statutes; relating to the state board of chiropractic examiners.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Section 32-900, Arizona Revised
Statutes, is amended to read:
START_STATUTE
32-900.
Definitions
In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Advisory letter" means a
nondisciplinary letter to notify a licensee
or registrant
that either:
(a) While there is insufficient evidence to support
disciplinary action, the board believes that continuation of the activities
that led to the investigation may result in further board action against the
licensee.
(b) The violation is a minor or technical violation
that is not of sufficient merit to warrant disciplinary action.
(c) The violation is a minor or technical violation,
and while the licensee has demonstrated substantial compliance through
rehabilitation or remediation that has mitigated the need for disciplinary
action, the board believes that repetition of the activities that led to the
investigation may result in further board action against the licensee.
2. "Board" means the state board of
chiropractic examiners.
3. "Certification" means that a doctor of
chiropractic has been certified by the board in a specialty of chiropractic as
provided by law.
4. "Chiropractic assistant" means
an unlicensed
a
person
who
is registered pursuant to this chapter,
who has completed an educational
training program approved by the board, who assists in basic health care duties
in the practice of chiropractic under the supervision of a doctor of
chiropractic and who performs delegated duties commensurate with the chiropractic
assistant's education and training but who does not evaluate, interpret, design
or modify established treatment programs of chiropractic care or violate any
statute.
5. "Direct supervision"
means that a doctor of chiropractic is WITHin the same room or office suite
when a chiropractic assistant or extern is providing clinical services, as
delegated, and is available for consultation.
5.
6.
"Doctor
of chiropractic"
or "chiropractor"
means a
natural person who holds a license to practice chiropractic pursuant to this
chapter.
6.
7.
"License"
means a license to practice chiropractic.
7.
8.
"Physical
medicine modalities" means any physical agent applied to produce
therapeutic change to biologic tissues, including thermal, acoustic,
noninvasive light, mechanical or electric energy, hot or cold packs,
ultrasound, galvanism, microwave, diathermy and electrical stimulation.
8.
9.
"Therapeutic
procedures" means the application of clinical skills and services,
including therapeutic exercise, therapeutic activities, manual therapy
techniques, massage and structural supports, to improve a patient's
neuromusculoskeletal condition.
END_STATUTE
Sec. 2.
Repeal
Section 32-930, Arizona Revised
Statutes, is repealed.
Sec. 3. Title 32, chapter 8, article 2, Arizona
Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section 32-930, to read:
START_STATUTE
32-930.
Chiropractic assistants; registration; renewal; fingerprinting
requirement; continuing competence training
A. To be registered to practice as a
chiropractic assistant, an applicant shall provide the following evidence
satisfactory to the board that the applicant:
1. Has completed an application in
the manner and form provided by the board.
2. Has paid all applicable fees
relative to the registration process as established by the board in rule.
3. Is at least eighteen years of age.
4. Graduated from high school or the
equivalent.
5. Completed the board-approved
education program.
6. Has taken and passed the Arizona
jurisprudence exam with a score of at least seventy-five percent.
7. Beginning January 1, 2027, has a
valid fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to section 41-1758.03.
8. Completed cardiopulmonary
resuscitation training as prescribed in rule by the board.
B. A chiropractic assistant shall
comply with this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant to this
chapter. If a chiropractic assistant violates any statute or board
rule, the board may impose discipline consistent with this chapter.
C. A chiropractic assistant may renew
the person's registration in a time and manner established by the board in
rule. The board shall establish in rule the annual renewal
fee. The renewal period may not exceed two years.
D. Registration renewal requires a
chiropractic assistant to provide satisfactory evidence to the board of
completion of continuing competence training. The board shall
determine the number of credit hours, acceptable course content and approved
providers for the continuing competence training.
E. Registration as a chiropractic
assistant is not required for individuals who perform administrative activities
of a nonclinical nature.
F. A person who is enrolled in an
educational program recognized by the board that leads to a diploma or
certification as a chiropractic assistant may provide clinical services under
the supervision of a doctor of chiropractic to gain the necessary practical
clinical experience for the diploma or certification.
G. A
person may not use the title "chiropractic assistant" or
"C.A." or any other designation indicating registered status or hold
the person out directly or indirectly as a chiropractic assistant unless the
person is registered pursuant to this section.
�
END_STATUTE
Sec. 4. Title 32, chapter 8, article 2, Arizona
Revised Statutes, is amended by adding sections 32-930.01, 32-930.02 and
32-930.03, to read:
START_STATUTE
32-930.01.
Chiropractic assistants; scope of practice; supervision;
disclosure
A. A chiropractic assistant may
perform clinical duties as directed by the supervising chiropractor, including
the following:
1. Asepsis and infection control.
2. Taking patient histories and vital
signs.
3. Performing first aid and
cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
4. Preparing patients for procedures.
5. Assisting the supervising
chiropractor with examinations and treatments.
6. Collecting and processing
specimens.
B. A chiropractic assistant who meets
the education requirements for physical medicine modalities and therapeutic
procedures pursuant to board rules may administer, under the direct supervision
of a doctor of chiropractic who is certified in physical medicine modalities
and therapeutic procedures, the following physical medicine modalities and
therapeutic procedures:
1. Whirlpool treatments.
2. Diathermy treatments.
3. Electronic galvanization
stimulation treatments.
4. Ultrasound therapy.
5. Traction treatments.
6. Transcutaneous nerve stimulation
unit treatments.
7. Hot and cold pack treatments.
C. A chiropractic assistant who meets
the education requirements for acupuncture pursuant to board rules may prepare
and sterilize instruments and may remove acupuncture needles under the direct
supervision of a doctor of chiropractic who is certified in acupuncture.
D. A chiropractic assistant may not
do any of the following:���
1. Take an x-ray, unless the
chiropractic assistant has a valid certificate issued pursuant to chapter 28 of
this title authorizing the person to take x-rays.
2. Perform an independent examination
of a patient.
3. Diagnose a patient.
4. Determine a regimen of patient
care.
5. Change the regimen of patient care
set by the supervising chiropractor.
6. Perform an adjustment,
manipulation, manual therapy, nutritional instruction, counseling or another
therapeutic service or procedure that requires individual licensure in this
state.
7. Perform acupuncture by needle
insertion.
E. A chiropractic assistant may
perform only clinical duties that are consistent with a supervising
chiropractor's licensure and that are delegated by a supervising chiropractor
and only while under the supervision of a doctor of chiropractic who is on the
premises while supervising. The supervising chiropractor shall
document the clinical duties delegated to a chiropractic assistant in the
patient's medical record.
F. A supervising chiropractor is
responsible for all acts or omissions of the chiropractic assistant the doctor
of chiropractic is supervising.
G. A chiropractic assistant shall
provide appropriate identification to a patient as to the chiropractic
assistant's name and clinical classification. A chiropractic assistant shall
display a copy of the chiropractic assistant's registration or current renewal
card in a location accessible to the public's view at each place of practice.
END_STATUTE
START_STATUTE
32-930.02.
Chiropractic assistants; registration by endorsement
To register as a chiropractic assistant by
endorsement, an applicant shall provide evidence satisfactory to the board that
the applicant:
1. Has complied with section 32-930,
subsection A.
2. Has current practice privileges in
good standing as a registered chiropractic assistant or the equivalent granted
by at least one other jurisdiction in the United States whose requirements are
substantially similar to or greater than the requirements under this chapter.
3. Has presented to the board current
documentation that the practice privileges granted by the other jurisdiction as
a registered chiropractic assistant or the equivalent have not been suspended,
revoked or otherwise restricted for any reason except nonrenewal.
END_STATUTE
START_STATUTE
32-930.03.
Chiropractic assistants; prohibitions
A. A person who has had a license to
practice chiropractic or any other health care profession suspended, revoked or
denied for any reason other than failing to meet education or licensing
examination requirements in this or any other jurisdiction may not perform the
clinical duties of a chiropractic assistant.
B. A person who is licensed to
practice chiropractic in this or any other jurisdiction may not be registered
as a chiropractic assistant pursuant to this chapter and the rules adopted
pursuant to this chapter.
END_STATUTE
Sec. 5. Section 41-619.51, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
START_STATUTE
41-619.51.
Definitions
In this article, unless the
context otherwise requires:
1. "Agency"
means the supreme court, the department of economic security, the department of
child safety, the department of education, the department of health services,
the department of juvenile corrections, the department of emergency and
military affairs, the department of public safety, the department of
transportation, the state real estate department, the department of insurance
and financial institutions, the Arizona game and fish department, the Arizona
department of agriculture, the board of examiners of nursing care institution
administrators and assisted living facility managers, the state board of dental
examiners, the Arizona state board of pharmacy, the board of physical therapy,
the state board of psychologist examiners, the board of athletic training, the
board of occupational therapy examiners, the state board of podiatry examiners,
the acupuncture board of examiners, the state board of technical registration,
the board of massage therapy, the board of behavioral health examiners
,
or
the Arizona department of housing
or the state board of chiropractic examiners
.
2. "Board" means the board of
fingerprinting.
3. "Central registry exception" means
notification to the department of economic security, the department of child
safety or the department of health services, as appropriate, pursuant to
section 41-619.57 that the person is not disqualified because of a
central registry check conducted pursuant to section 8-804.
4. "Expedited review" means an
examination, in accordance with board rule, of the documents an applicant
submits by the board or its hearing officer without the applicant being
present.
5. "Good cause exception" means the
issuance of a fingerprint clearance card to an employee pursuant to section 41-619.55.
6. "Person" means a person who is required
to be fingerprinted pursuant to this article or who is subject to a central
registry check and any of the following:
(a) Section 3-314.
(b) Section 8-105.
(c) Section 8-322.
(d) Section 8-463.
(e) Section 8-509.
(f) Section 8-802.
(g) Section 8-804.
(h) Section 15-183.
(i) Section 15-503.
(j) Section 15-512.
(k) Section 15-534.
(l) Section 15-763.01.
(m) Section 15-782.02.
(n) Section 15-1330.
(o) Section 15-1881.
(p) Section 17-215.
(q) Section 28-3228.
(r) Section 28-3413.
(s) Section 32-122.02.
(t) Section 32-122.05.
(u) Section 32-122.06.
(v) Section 32-823.
(
w
) section
32-930.
(w)
(
x
)
Section 32-1232.
(x)
(
y
)
Section 32-1276.01.
(y)
(
z
)
Section 32-1284.
(z)
(
aa
)
Section 32-1297.01.
(aa)
(
bb
)
Section 32-1904.
(bb)
(
cc
)
Section 32-1941.
(cc)
(
dd
)
Section 32-1982.
(dd)
(
ee
)
Section 32-2022.
(ee)
(
ff
)
Section 32-2063.
(ff)
(
gg
)
Section 32-2108.01.
(gg)
(
hh
)
Section 32-2123.
(hh)
(
ii
)
Section 32-2371.
(ii)
(
jj
)
Section 32-3271.
(jj)
(
kk
)
Section 32-3430.
(kk)
(
ll
)
Section 32-3620.
(ll)
(
mm
)
Section 32-3668.
(mm)
(
nn
)
Section 32-3669.
(nn)
(
oo
)
Section 32-3922.
(oo)
(
pp
)
Section 32-3924.
(pp)
(
qq
)
Section 32-4128.
(qq)
(
rr
)
Section 32-4222.
(rr)
(
ss
)
Section 36-113.
(ss)
(
tt
)
Section 36-207.
(tt)
(
uu
)
Section 36-411.
(uu)
(
vv
)
Section 36-425.03.
(vv)
(
ww
)
Section 36-446.04.
(ww)
(
xx
)
Section 36-594.01.
(xx)
(
yy
)
Section 36-594.02.
(yy)
(
zz
)
Section 36-766.01.
(zz)
(
aaa
)
Section 36-882.
(aaa)
(
bbb
)
Section 36-883.02.
(bbb)
(
ccc
)
Section 36-897.01.
(ccc)
(
ddd
)
Section 36-897.03.
(ddd)
(
eee
)
Section 36-1940.
(eee)
(
fff
)
Section 36-1940.01.
(fff)
(
ggg
)
Section 36-2069.
(ggg)
(
hhh
)
Section 36-3008.
(hhh)
(
iii
)
Section 41-619.53.
(iii)
(
jjj
)
Section 41-1964.�������������
(jjj)
(
kkk
)
Section 41-1967.01.
(kkk)
(
lll
)
Section 41-1968.
(lll)
(
mmm
)
Section 41-1969.
(mmm)
(
nnn
)
Section 41-2814.
(nnn)
(
ooo
)
Section 41-4025.
(ooo)
(
ppp
)
Section 46-141,
subsection A or B.
(ppp)
(
qqq
)
Section 46-321.
END_STATUTE
Sec. 6. Section 41-1758, Arizona Revised
Statutes, is amended to read:
START_STATUTE
41-1758.
Definitions
In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Agency" means the supreme court, the
department of economic security, the department of child safety, the department
of education, the department of health services, the department of juvenile
corrections, the department of emergency and military affairs, the department
of public safety, the department of transportation, the state real estate
department, the department of insurance and financial institutions, the board
of fingerprinting, the Arizona game and fish department, the Arizona department
of agriculture, the board of examiners of nursing care institution
administrators and assisted living facility managers, the state board of dental
examiners, the Arizona state board of pharmacy, the board of physical therapy,
the state board of psychologist examiners, the board of athletic training, the
board of occupational therapy examiners, the state board of podiatry examiners,
the acupuncture board of examiners, the state board of technical registration,
the board of massage therapy, the board of behavioral health examiners
,
or
the Arizona department of housing
or the state board of chiropractic examiners
.
2. "Division" means the fingerprinting
division in the department of public safety.
3. "Electronic or internet-based fingerprinting
services" means a secure system for digitizing applicant fingerprints and
transmitting the applicant data and fingerprints of a person or entity
submitting fingerprints to the department of public safety for any authorized
purpose under this title. For the purposes of this paragraph,
"secure system" means a system that complies with the information
technology security policy approved by the department of public safety.
4. "Good cause exception" means the
issuance of a fingerprint clearance card to an applicant pursuant to section 41-619.55.
5. "Person" means a person who is required
to be fingerprinted pursuant to any of the following:
(a) Section 3-314.
(b) Section 8-105.
(c) Section 8-322.
(d) Section 8-463.
(e) Section 8-509.
(f) Section 8-802.
(g) Section 15-183.
(h) Section 15-503.
(i) Section 15-512.
(j) Section 15-534.
(k) Section 15-763.01.
(l) Section 15-782.02.
(m) Section 15-1330.
(n) Section 15-1881.
(o) Section 17-215.
(p) Section 28-3228.
(q) Section 28-3413.
(r) Section 32-122.02.
(s) Section 32-122.05.
(t) Section 32-122.06.
(u) Section 32-823.
(
v
) Section
32-930.
(v)
(
w
)
Section 32-1232.
(w)
(
x
)
Section 32-1276.01.
(x)
(
y
)
Section 32-1284.
(y)
(
z
)
Section 32-1297.01.
(z)
(
aa
)
Section 32-1904.
(aa)
(
bb
)
Section 32-1941.
(bb)
(
cc
)
Section 32-1982.
(cc)
(
dd
)
Section 32-2022.
(dd)
(
ee
)
Section 32-2063.
(ee)
(
ff
)
Section 32-2108.01.
(ff)
(
gg
)
Section 32-2123.
(gg)
(
hh
)
Section 32-2371.
(hh)
(
ii
)
Section 32-3271.
(ii)
(
jj
)
Section 32-3430.
(jj)
(
kk
)
Section 32-3620.
(kk)
(
ll
)
Section 32-3668.
(ll)
(
mm
)
Section 32-3669.
(mm)
(
nn
)
Section 32-3922.
(nn)
(
oo
)
Section 32-3924.
(oo)
(
pp
)
Section 32-4128.
(pp)
(
qq
)
Section 32-4222.
(qq)
(
rr
)
Section 36-113.
(rr)
(
ss
)
Section 36-207.
(ss)
(
tt
)
Section 36-411.
(tt)
(
uu
)
Section 36-425.03.
(uu)
(
vv
)
Section 36-446.04.
(vv)
(
ww
)
Section 36-594.01.
(ww)
(
xx
)
Section 36-594.02.
(xx)
(
yy
)
Section 36-766.01.
(yy)
(
zz
)
Section 36-882.
(zz)
(
aaa
)
Section 36-883.02.
(aaa)
(
bbb
)
Section 36-897.01.
(bbb)
(
ccc
)
Section 36-897.03.
(ccc)
(
ddd
)
Section 36-1940.
(ddd)
(
eee
)
Section 36-1940.01.
(eee)
(
fff
)
Section 36-2069.
(fff)
(
ggg
)
Section 36-3008.
(ggg)
(
hhh
)
Section 41-619.52.
(hhh)
(
iii
)
Section 41-619.53.
(iii)
(
jjj
)
Section 41-1964.
(jjj)
(
kkk
)
Section 41-1967.01.
(kkk)
(
lll
)
Section 41-1968.
(lll)
(
mmm
)
Section 41-1969.
(mmm)
(
nnn
)
Section 41-2814.
(nnn)
(
ooo
)
Section 41-4025.
(ooo)
(
ppp
)
Section 46-141, subsection A or B.
(ppp)
(
qqq
)
Section 46-321.
6. "Rap back
services" has the same meaning prescribed in section 41-1750.
7. "Vulnerable
adult" has the same meaning prescribed in section 13-3623.
END_STATUTE
Sec. 7. Section 41-1758.01, Arizona Revised
Statutes, is amended to read:
START_STATUTE
41-1758.01.
Fingerprinting division; powers and duties
A. The fingerprinting division is established in the
department of public safety and shall:
1. Conduct fingerprint background checks for persons
and applicants who are seeking licenses from state agencies, employment with
licensees, contract providers and state agencies or employment or educational
opportunities with agencies that require fingerprint background checks pursuant
to sections 3-314, 8-105, 8-322, 8-463, 8-509, 8-802,
15-183, 15-503, 15-512, 15-534, 15-763.01, 15-782.02,
15-1330, 15-1881, 17-215, 28-3228, 28-3413, 32-122.02,
32-122.05, 32-122.06, 32-823,
32-930,
32-1232,
32-1276.01, 32-1284, 32-1297.01, 32-1904, 32-1941,
32-1982, 32-2022, 32-2063, 32-2108.01, 32-2123,
32-2371, 32-3271, 32-3430, 32-3620, 32-3668, 32-3669,
32-3922, 32-3924, 32-4128, 32-4222, 36-113, 36-207,
36-411, 36-425.03, 36-446.04, 36-594.01, 36-594.02,
36-766.01, 36-882, 36-883.02, 36-897.01, 36-897.03,
36-1940, 36-1940.01, 36-2069, 36-3008, 41-619.52, 41-619.53,
41-1964, 41-1967.01, 41-1968, 41-1969, 41-2814
and
41-4025, section 46-141,
subsection A or B and section 46-321.
2. Issue fingerprint clearance cards. On
issuance, a fingerprint clearance card becomes the personal property of the
cardholder and the cardholder shall retain possession of the fingerprint
clearance card.
3. On submission of an application for a fingerprint
clearance card, collect the fees established by the board of fingerprinting
pursuant to section 41-619.53 and deposit, pursuant to sections 35-146
and 35-147, the monies collected in the board of fingerprinting fund.
4. Inform in writing each person who submits
fingerprints for a fingerprint background check of the right to petition the
board of fingerprinting for a good cause exception pursuant to section 41-1758.03,
41-1758.04 or 41-1758.07.
5. If after conducting a state and federal criminal
history records check the division determines that it is not authorized to
issue a fingerprint clearance card to a person, inform the person in writing
that the division is not authorized to issue a fingerprint clearance
card. The notice shall include the criminal history information on
which the denial was based. This criminal history information is
subject to dissemination restrictions pursuant to section 41-1750 and
Public Law 92-544.
6. Notify the person in writing if the division
suspends, revokes or places a driving restriction notation on a fingerprint
clearance card pursuant to section 41-1758.04. The notice
shall include the criminal history information on which the suspension,
revocation or placement of the driving restriction notation was
based. This criminal history information is subject to dissemination
restrictions pursuant to section 41-1750 and Public Law 92-544.
7. Administer and enforce this article.
B. The fingerprinting division may contract for
electronic or internet-based fingerprinting services through an entity or
entities for the acquisition and transmission of applicant fingerprint and data
submissions to the department, including identity verified fingerprints
pursuant to section 15-106. The entity or entities contracted
by the department of public safety may charge the applicant a fee for services
provided pursuant to this article. The entity or entities contracted
by the department of public safety shall comply with:
1. All information privacy and security measures and
submission standards established by the department of public safety.
2. The information technology security policy
approved by the department of public safety.
END_STATUTE