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.

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION COMPLETELY (and the related links) AND the Administrative Rule above.

1. APPLICATION - Print your application forms from this website.
2. TRAINING - Complete an initial training course (More about this below)
3. Submit total fees $110 to OBCE (by check or credit card); Mailing information is below

EXAMINATION for Chiropractic Assistant Licensure - This is NEW information - effective February 8, 2013.  The OBCE has transitioned to using an ONLINE CA Examination. It is still an open-book examination, and the Study Guide will still be available (see information below to obtain the Guide)

1. Each CA Applicant will need to have their OWN email address (FREE email accounts are available with Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc.). You may not use your supervising DC's, clinic staff's or clinic emails for this examination.  If you do not have a computer or email, visit your local library.
2. A CA Applicant will only be assigned the CA exam (via email) once they have submitted, and met ALL of the CA application requirements, including all fees, forms, background supporting documentation (if any requested), etc. 
3. OBCE staff will send an email to the eligible CA Applicant with instructions on how to access the test site; the CA Applicant will have 24 cumulative hours to complete the online examination (this allows you to log in and out as necessary - up to the total 24 hours). 
4. If the exam is NOT completed within the allowed time, you will lose access to the exam website, and you will need to request the OBCE to re-assign the test.
5. Upon completion of the examination, the CA Applicant will be informed immediately online whether he/she passed or failed the exam.  The CA Applicant will initiate a transcript to be sent to the OBCE.
6. Upon receipt of a transcript showing successful completion of the exam, OBCE staff will issue the CA license.
7. IF a CA Applicant fails the examination, a $35 retake fee must be submitted and OBCE staff will re-assign the examination once again.

       These instructions and more will both be available in the OBCE emails, and on the test website.

EXAM 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

 

OBCE CONTACT:

For Application and Exam Questions: Email kelly.beringer@state.or.us  

These forms will open with Adobe Reader and Internet Explorer ONLY; they will not open if your browser is Mozilla, etc.

• CCA Application Form  (PDF)
• Social Security Number Form  (PDF)
• Diversity Form  (PDF)

 
Complete the above forms, and take your 12 hours of initial training.
 
Mail ALL of the following to the OBCE (address below):

1. Completed application, including ALL supporting documentation for any YES answers
2. SSN form 
3. Diversity forms
4. Proof (certificate) of initial training, and
5. $110 payable to the OBCE

Mail to:  (This is a change effective immediately)

Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners
3218 Pringle Road SE, Suite 150 
Salem Oregon 97302

Required Initial Training - ALL CA Initial training should follow the guidelines shown in this link minimum requirements for the 12 hours initial training. 

There are THREE means of training - Pick ONE of the three options below. In any instance you should receive a certificate verifying your completion of the 12 hours training.  
 
NOTES:
Board Approved trainers or employing Doctors of Chiropractic are the ONLY allowed trainers. Other CA or staff MUST NOT be delegated to train a CA Applicant.

If you attend a course which covers only the didactic (lecture) instruction, you must also complete the 4 hour practical (hands-on) training with an Oregon licensed chiropractor before licensure.  
 
The time you take to complete your application forms, read the Physiotherapy Study Guide, or take your examination does NOT count as part of your required 12 hours "training.   

Training Options:

1. Attend a scheduled initial training course; you will receive a Certificate of Completion from the trainer to submit with your application to the OBCE; or
2. Be trained by your employing chiropractor (DC).  S/He is responsible to log the specific hours trained as indicated on the enclosed “Supervising DC Guidelines and Log for CA Training.”  Both the DC and CA should follow these guidelines strictly. 
3. Contact one of the OBCE’s pre-approved trainers. These trainers may provide the initial training on an as-needed basis.  

 
Exceptions to the required 12 Hour Initial Training:

• 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. 
• 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.
• 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. 

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 (last year) and July 31 (this year). Do NOT wait until you receive your Renewal Notice & CE Affidavit to start looking for qualified seminars.  CAs who licensed THIS YEAR between March 1 and May 31 are exempt from the CE requirement and their renewal notice will reflect this exemption; the $50 fee is still due!
 
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 
 
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 in Portland: 
  
                      OBCE, Unit 01, P.O. Box 4395, Portland, OR 97208-4395 
 
However, if you are paying by credit card (use this Credit Card Authorization form) please send BOTH your completed Credit Card Authorization form AND your Renewal Notice & Affidavit to the OBCE's administrative office in Salem: 
 
                      OBCE, 3218 Pringle Road, SE, Suite 150 Salem, OR  97302-6311. 

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. 
 
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Frequently Asked Questions
 
The OBCE office is receiving multiple questions about the changes effective January 1, 2011. 
   
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 perform 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.  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.