An Act amending the act of December 16, 1986 (P.L.1646, No.188), known as the Chiropractic Practice Act, providing for certified chiropractic assistants; in supportive personnel, further providing for supportive personnel; and making an editorial change.

PRINTER'S NO. 1641
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 1302
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY BARTOLOTTA, COMITTA, HUTCHINSON, VOGEL, ARGALL,
KEEFER, YAW, PICOZZI, PENNYCUICK, BOSCOLA AND SANTARSIERO,
APRIL 23, 2026
REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE,
APRIL 23, 2026
AN ACT
Amending the act of December 16, 1986 (P.L.1646, No.188),
entitled "An act providing for the licensing of chiropractors
and the regulation of the practice of chiropractic;
establishing the State Board of Chiropractic in the
Department of State and providing for its powers and duties;
providing for the supervision of colleges of chiropractic,
for the examination of applicants, for enforcement and for
disciplinary actions; providing penalties; and making
repeals," providing for certified chiropractic assistants; in
supportive personnel, further providing for supportive
personnel; and making an editorial change.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of December 16, 1986 (P.L.1646, No.188),
known as the Chiropractic Practice Act, is amended by adding a
chapter to read:
CHAPTER 5-A
CERTIFIED CHIROPRACTIC ASSISTANTS
Section 501-A. Chiropractic assistant certifications.
(a) Eligibility.--To be eligible for certification by the
board as a chiropractic assistant, an applicant shall:
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(1) be at least 18 years of age unless otherwise
determined by the board;
(2) possess a high school diploma or its equivalent;
(3) prove to the satisfaction of the board that the
individual is of good moral character and is not unfit or
unable to practice as a chiropractic assistant by reason of
physical or mental impairment. In assessing the moral
character of an individual with a criminal conviction, the
board shall conduct an individualized assessment in
accordance with 63 Pa.C.S. § 3113 (relating to consideration
of criminal convictions);
(4) be a graduate of a nationally recognized
chiropractic assistant program approved by the board; and
(5) successfully pass an examination approved by the
board, subject to rules and regulations established by the
board and administered in accordance with section 812.1 of
the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The
Administrative Code of 1929. An applicant may not be
certified as a certified chiropractic assistant unless the
applicant has attained passing scores on the examination
under this paragraph as published prior to the administration
of the examination.
(b) Temporary certification.--Upon the submission of an
application for certification as a chiropractic assistant as
provided by the board, the board shall issue a temporary
certificate to the applicant who meets the requirements under
subsection (a)(1) and (4) and is eligible to take the
examination under subsection (a)(5) . The board shall issue only
one temporary certificate under this subsection to an applicant.
A temporary certificate under this subsection shall expire upon
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the applicant's failure of the first examination under
subsection (a)(5), or six months after the date of issuance of
the temporary certificate, whichever occurs first. Issuance of a
temporary certificate under this subsection shall permit the
applicant to engage in the practice of chiropractic assistance
only while under the direct on-premises supervision of a
licensed chiropractor. Upon the expiration of a temporary
certificate under this subsection, the applicant shall promptly
return the temporary certificate to the board.
(c) Second examination.--If an applicant fails the first
examination under subsection (a)(5), the applicant for
certification, after the expiration of 60 days from the date of
the first examination and no later than one year after the first
examination, shall have the opportunity to take the examination
a second time. The board may adopt regulations governing the
eligibility of applicants who have failed to pass two
examinations under subsection (a)(5) in order to be admitted to
subsequent examinations.
(d) Use of title.--Only an individual who has been properly
certified as a chiropractic assistant with the board, in
accordance with this chapter and the rules and regulations
promulgated by the board, shall assist a licensed chiropractor
as a certified chiropractic assistant and use the title
"certified chiropractic assistant" and the abbreviation "CCA."
(e) Actions.--The board shall issue, renew, revoke or
suspend the certification of a chiropractic assistant in
accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the
board. All actions of the board under this subsection shall be
taken subject to the right of notice, hearing and adjudication
and the right of appeal in accordance with 2 Pa.C.S. (relating
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to administrative law and procedure).
(f) Reinstatement.--Unless ordered by a court of competent
jurisdiction, the board shall not reinstate the certification of
an individual to practice as a chiropractic assistant that has
been revoked under subsection (e). The individual may apply for
certification as a chiropractic assistant after five years have
elapsed since the date of revocation in accordance with this
chapter.
(g) Renewals.--For each certificate renewal, a chiropractic
assistant shall complete within the preceding two-year period at
least 16 hours of continuing chiropractic education, including
eight hours of in-person learning, as approved by the board in
accordance with standards and criteria established by the board
by rules and regulations. A certified chiropractic assistant
shall provide the board with evidence of the completion of the
continuing chiropractic education under this subsection. The
board's rules and regulations shall remain in effect until such
time as the board establishes by regulations, standards and
criteria relating to continuing chiropractic education for
certified chiropractic assistants.
Section 502-A. Performance of chiropractic acts and services.
(a) Supervision.--While providing assistance to a licensed
chiropractor, a certified chiropractic assistant shall only
perform patient-related chiropractic acts and services that are
assigned or delegated by and under the direct on-premises
supervision of a licensed chiropractor.
(b) Scope.--A certified chiropractic assistant may provide,
demonstrate, administer or observe therapeutic exercise under
the direct on-premises supervision of a licensed chiropractor. A
certified chiropractic assistant may not perform evaluations,
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adjustments, test interpretations, other therapeutic procedures
or the planning or modification of a plan of care for a patient.
(c) Responsibility.--A licensed chiropractor shall be
responsible for the performance of acts and services by a
certified chiropractic assistant. In all practice settings, the
initial patient contact shall be made by a licensed chiropractor
for evaluation of the patient and establishment of a plan of
care.
(d) Consultation.--A certified chiropractic assistant shall
consult with the supervising licensed chiropractor in the event
of a change in the patient's condition that may require the
assessment of a licensed chiropractor.
(e) Limitation.--A licensed chiropractor shall not supervise
more than three certified chiropractic assistants at any time.
If there is a change of the licensed chiropractor supervising a
certified chiropractic assistant, the succeeding licensed
chiropractor shall be responsible for the ongoing supervision of
the certified chiropractic assistant and shall be considered the
supervising licensed chiropractor for the purpose of this
section.
(f) Definitions.--As used in this section, the term
"therapeutic exercise" shall mean a therapeutic procedure of
using exercise to develop strength, endurance, range of motion
and flexibility.
Section 2. Chapter 6 heading and section 601 of the act are
amended to read:
CHAPTER 6
UNLICENSED OR UNCERTIFIED SUPPORTIVE PERSONNEL
Section 601. Supportive personnel.
(a) Construction.--Nothing in this act shall prohibit a
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licensed chiropractor from utilizing the assistance of
unlicensed or uncertified supportive personnel performing under
the direct on-premises supervision of a licensed chiropractor,
provided that a chiropractor may not delegate any activity or
duty to such unlicensed or uncertified individuals which
requires formal education or training in the practice of
chiropractic or the knowledge and skill of a licensed
chiropractor.
(b) Definitions.--As used in this section, the term "d irect
on-premises supervision" shall mean supervision conducted while
being physically present in the office suite or facility, but
not necessarily in the same room and immediately available.
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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