Text Size:   A+ A- A   •   Text Only
Find     
Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners

Chiropractic Assistants
NEW Oregon Administrative Rule affecting Chiropractic Assistants
As an applicant (and soon licensed) Chiropractic Assistant, you are responsible to know and follow the rules and regulations affecting your licensure.  Click on this link Oregon Administrative Rule 811-010-0110 to read the rule.

 
How to Apply for Initial CA Licensure
 
READ 1-5 COMPLETELY (and the related links) after you have read the Administrative Rule above.
  1. APPLICATION - Either print your application AND other required forms from this site, OR contact the OBCE to request the full packet (application forms AND examination). The OBCE's contact information is below.
  2. TRAINING - Complete an initial training course (More about this below)
  3. EXAM - The required exam is not available online; contact the OBCE to request one. 
  4. STUDY GUIDE - Contact the book store at University of Western States to purchase the Study Guide. (503) 251-5763. Request the "Physiotherapy Study Guide for Chiropractic Assistants" to use with the open book exam    
  5. Submit total fees $110 to OBCE with application, exam and miscellaneous forms.
 
OBCE Contacts:  Email oregon.obce@state.or.us or call 503-378-5816 (opt 1)
 
Be specific when you call in or email your request.  If you have downloaded the application forms from the website, request the "Exam Only." Otherwise, request the "CA Application Packet"

 
FORMS for Initial Licensure
 
AFTER you have completed both the 12 hours of initial training and the CA exam....
 
...Mail ALL of the following to the OBCE:
  1. Completed application,
  2. SSN form 
  3. Diversity forms,
  4. Examination,
  5. Proof of initial training, and
  6. $110 payable to the OBCE
Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners 
Unit 01
PO Box 4395
Portland Oregon 97208-4395

 
TRAINING for Initial Licensure
Initial Training Resources and Additional Information
This link minimum requirements for the 12 hours initial training shows what you should expect in the way of your training.  ALL training experiences should cover these topic areas for the length of time specified. 
 
Required Initial Training - Pick ONE of these three options for training (all of the options should meet the requirements as provided in the Required Initial Training Outline above).  In any instance you should receive a certificate verifying completion of the 12 hours training. 
 
NOTES:
If you attend a course which covers only the didactic (book) instruction, you must also complete the 4 hour hands-on training with an Oregon licensed chiropractor before licensure. 
 
Also, completing your application and examination are NOT considered to be part of your "training" and should not be logged as hours. 
  1. Attend a scheduled initial training course; you will receive a Certificate of Completion from the trainer (You will submit the certificate with your application); or
  2. Be trained by your employing chiropractor (DC).  S/He is responsible to log the specific hours trained as indicated on the enclosed “Guidelines for CA Training by the Supervising DC.”  Both the DC and CA should follow these guidelines strictly.  The training may NOT be delegated to other staff to present.
  3. Contact one of the OBCE’s pre-approved trainers. These trainers may provide the initial training on an as-needed basis.  Make sure the trainer is aware of the new guidelines. If you complete less than the requirement your license will be delayed.
 
Exceptions to the required 12 Hour Initial Training:
  1. Seventh quarter or above chiropractic students may show proof of attendance of Physiological Therapeutics in lieu of taking the Initial Training Course; they must still meet all other requirements for CA licensure. 
  2. If you have a CA certificate/license from another state or adequate documentation of training, the Board may waive the requirements for the initial training course. Request a waiver PRIOR TO application.
  3. If you are a Physical Therapy Assistant, and you took your PTA education within the past five years, you may submit proof of that education in lieu of the initial training.
 
NOTE:  Massage Therapists applying for certification are NOT exempt from the initial training  requirement since the LMT training does not include hydrotherapy and electrotherapy.  All LMT’s or massage therapy students must complete the twelve (12) hours initial training. 
 

 
Annual CA License RENEWAL
The Renewal Notice & CE Affidavit
The OBCE mails the Chiropractic Assistant Renewal Notice & Affidavit to CAs by June 1 EACH year.  By default, the Notice is mailed to the last-known employment address; otherwise, if none is on file, it is mailed to the CA's home address.
 
The Notice is an "Invoice to Pay" the $50 renewal fee to the OBCE; and an affidavit that the CA has completed the required hours of Continuing Education. The CA must sign the Affidavit prior to returning it and the payment to the OBCE 
 
IF you misplace the Renewal Notice &Affidavit that was mailed to you, or you did not receive it all, please download the form here:  Renewal Notice for CAs.
 

Continuing Education - SIX HOURS required
Remember, continuing education should be completed between August 1 and July 31. Do NOT wait until you receive your Renewal Notice & CE Affidavit to start looking for qualified seminars.
 
ALWAYS get documentation verifying that you attended/completed the CE activity from the sponsor of the program. 
 
Use the OBCE's website to find continuing education options throughout the year. As noted on the site, the programs listed are not exclusive; if you find another program that interests you, feel free to contact the OBCE to find out if the program qualifies for CE credit (or read the CE Oregon 
administrative rule 811-015-0025).   
  
 

Payment & Mailing
Payment can be made by personal check, cashier's check or money order.  You may also pay with a credit/debit card, using this Credit Card Authorization form
 
If you are paying by check, money order, or cashier's check, send BOTH your payment AND your Renewal Notice & Affidavit to the OBCE's Post Office Box:
 
                      OBCE, Unit 01, P.O. Box 4395, Portland, OR 97208-4395
 
If you are paying by credit card, please send BOTH your completed Credit Card Authorization form AND your Renewal Notice & Affidavit to the OBCE's administrative office: 
 
                      OBCE, 3218 Pringle Road, SE, Suite 150 Salem, OR  97302-6311.
 

 
TIDBITS and FAQ
 
Additional Duties Allowed or Disallowed for CAs  
In addition to the CA scope of practice which allows hydrotherapy, electrotherapy and physiotherapy, the Board has developed the policies and practices provided in the above link. 
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frequently Asked Questions
 
The OBCE office is receiving multiple questions about the changes effective January 1, 2011.
 
QUESTION: What if I completed only SIX hours of Initial Training prior to January 1, 2011, do I now need to complete an additional six hours to meet the 12 hour requirement? 
ANSWER:  YES.  Your initial training must meet the current guidelines. 
 
QUESTION:  Can I complete the Initial Training through an online course? 
ANSWER:  NO.  As of January 1, 2011, there is currently no allowance for any portion of the Initial Training to be completed online.  If this changes, it will be posted on this page.  Training must be completed in person. 
 
QUESTION:  May our long-time CA performing the practical portion of the 12 hours Initial Training for our new staff person? 
ANSWER:  NO. The administrative rule is clear that the hands-on (practical) training may ONLY be “administered by a healthcare provider licensed to independently provide those therapies.”  CAs may not perform any therapies without supervision of a DC, and therefore they are not allowed to administer the practical portion. 
 
QUESTION:   I will be renewing my CA license in July 2011.  Do I need to complete six or 12 hours continuing education? 
ANSWER:  SIX. The rule change ONLY effects INITIAL training required to APPLY for licensure as a chiropractic assistant.  The rule change does NOT effect those CAs renewing their current license.