unfair claims settlement practices; chiropractic

Plain English Breakdown

The bill amends A.R.S. §32-925 but does not explicitly define which non-x-ray imaging modalities are permitted.

SB1554: Expanding Chiropractor Imaging Services

This bill changes the law to allow chiropractors in Arizona to perform diagnostic imaging, not just x-rays.

What This Bill Does

• Changes state law to expand what services a licensed chiropractor can provide by adding general diagnostic imaging.
• Updates the list of allowed clinical tests to include broader imaging methods beyond standard x-rays.

Who It Names or Affects

• Licensed doctors of chiropractic in Arizona
• Patients who receive care from chiropractors

Terms To Know

Scope of practice

The specific services and procedures a licensed professional is legally allowed to perform.

Diagnostic imaging

Medical tests that create pictures of the inside of the body, such as x-rays or other scans.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify which exact types of non-x-ray imaging are included.
• It is unclear if chiropractors can administer contrast dye without a separate radiology license under this new text, as the current rule requires an additional license for that specific action.

Official Summary Text

SB1554 - 572R - Senate Fact Sheet

Assigned to
FIN������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� AS
PASSED BY COMMITTEE

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Seventh
Legislature, Second Regular Session

AMENDED

FACT SHEET FOR
S.B. 1554

unfair claims
settlement practices; chiropractic

Purpose

Expands the scope of practice of a chiropractor to include performing
diagnostic imaging, rather than only diagnostic x-rays.

Background

Chiropractors are licensed by the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners (Board)
to provide permissible health care services and are considered portal of entry
health care providers. Chiropractors may engage in prescribed diagnostic
procedures in the course of determining a regimen of chiropractic care or
forming a basis for referral of a patient to another licensed health care
professional. Chiropractors may perform the following diagnostic procedures: 1)
physical and clinical examinations; 2) diagnostic x-rays; and 3) limited
clinical laboratory procedures (
A.R.S.
� 32-925
).

The Board regulates the practice of chiropractic medicine in Arizona and must
adopt rules as necessary to perform its duties
(
A.R.S. � 32-904
).
According to the Board's Jurisprudence Law Book, it is within the scope of practice
of a chiropractor to order imaging studies that include the administration of
contrast media, but the chiropractor may not administer the contrast dye unless
the chiropractor holds an additional license in radiology (
2025
Arizona Chiropractic Jurisprudence Law Book
).

There is no anticipated fiscal impact
to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1.

Expands
the scope of practice of a chiropractor to include performing diagnostic
imaging, rather than only diagnostic x-rays..

2.

Becomes
effective on the general effective date.

Amendments
Adopted by Committee

�

Expands the scope of practice for a chiropractor to include
performing diagnostic imaging, rather than only diagnostic x-rays.

Senate
Action

FIN����
2/16/16���� DPA�� 3-2-2

Prepared by Senate Research

February 18, 2026

MG/hk

Current Bill Text

SB1554 - 572R - S Ver

Senate Engrossed

unfair
claims settlement practices; chiropractic

(now: chiropractors;
imaging)

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

SENATE BILL 1554

AN
ACT

Amending section 32-925, Arizona
Revised Statutes; relating to doctors of chiropractic.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it
enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Section 32-925, Arizona Revised Statutes,
is amended to read:

START_STATUTE
32-925.

Practice of chiropractic; limitations

A. A doctor of chiropractic is a portal of entry
health care provider who engages in the practice of health care that includes:

1. The diagnosis and correction of subluxations,
functional vertebral or articular dysarthrosis or neuromuscular skeletal
disorders for restoring and maintaining health.

2. Physical and clinical examinations, diagnostic
x-rays,
imaging,
and clinical
diagnostic laboratory procedures that are limited to nasal swabs, oral swabs,
sputum collection, urine collection, finger pricks or venipuncture in order to
determine the propriety of a regimen of chiropractic care or to form a basis
for referring patients to other licensed health care professionals, or both.

3. Treatment by:

(a) Physical medicine modalities, therapeutic
procedures and adjustment of the spine or bodily articulations.

(b) Procedures related to the correction of
subluxations and neuromuscular skeletal disorders.

(c) Prescription of orthopedic supports.

(d) Acupuncture.

B. A doctor of chiropractic who is licensed under
this chapter shall not prescribe or administer medicine or drugs, perform
surgery or practice obstetrics.
END_STATUTE