Application for CA Certification and Annual Renewal
Become a Certified Chiropractic Assistant
Submit your application, fees, and proof of training to the OBCE. Once your application has been reviewed and approved, you will receive your exam and fingerprint instructions by email. Upon successful completion of your exam, and OBCE review, a certificate will then be issued. Review each section below to proceed.
- Instructions
Answer all question truthfully, and read the History Disclosure Guide. Provide all relative police reports, and court documents when answering "Yes" to criminal history questions.
With your completed application packet, you must send:
- An original, untouched passport-type color photo,
- Total fees of $126.25 using the payment portal, and
- Proof/certificates of completion of the 12 hours initial training.
Please submit your application via US mail to:
OBCE
530 Center St NE, Suite 620
Salem, OR 97301
Incomplete applications will not be processed until all requirements are met and submitted.
- Publication
- Chiropractic Assistant Administrative Rule (OAR)
- Form Type
- Assistant Application Packet
- More Info
- CA Fee Payment Portal
- Instructions
Applicants for chiropractic assistant certification must be fingerprinted, even if recently printed for another Oregon license or certificate.
If you are a chiropractic student with an application for your DC license, you do not need to be fingerprinted a second time for the CA application, or pay the fee. Please notify OBCE staff.
- OBCE staff will email the fingerprint instructions to you once your application packet is completed and fees are paid.
- Please do not make your appointment until instructions are received.
- Fieldprint charges a small fee at the time you create your appointment to cover the cost of printing.
- The OBCE receives a background check report from the Oregon State Police within 1-2 business days.
$46.25 of your initial application fee covers the cost of the background report, not the actual fingerprinting.
Felony convictions and a few other serious charges, arrests or convictions will cause the application to be reviewed by the Executive Director and/or full board; this could extend the application process significantly.
- Publication
- Fitness Determination Administrative Rule 811-010-0084
- Form Type
- More Info
- Fieldprint FAQs
- Instructions
Your chiropractic assistant certificate will be issued when
- OBCE receives proof of a passing score from NBCE on the CA exam,
- The background report and all items have been disclosed, or explained, and
- OBCE completes a final review and approves your application
Oregon uses a birth month renewal system, so your initial certificate may only be valid for six months or up to 18 months. Make a note of it when you receive your certificate and letter.
Assistants may not provide therapies until the certificate is received.
- Publication
- Form Type
- More Info
- Mackenzie.G.Purnell@obce.oregon.gov
Annual CA Certificate Renewal
Renewal notices are emailed by OBCE staff approximately 45 days prior to your renewal date. Continuing education must be completed prior to your renewal date and within the previous 12 months. If you renew past your renewal date, please read the 30 day Grace Period and Failure to Renew sections below.
Renewals must be completed
online.
Failure to Renew - After the 30-day Grace Period
- Instructions
Although you may not provide any therapies, you can still renew a certificate, however, you must meet the standard renewal requirement, plus:
- Submit to the OBCE your proof of six (6) hours completed CE (taken within the immediate 12 months);
- Expect to pay a $50 late renewal fee in addition to the $75 renewal fee, when paying online
- Wait to provide therapies until you receive a certificate
A certificate is renewable up to 12 months from the expiration date, but be aware, whether you renew 3, 7, 9 or 11 months late, you will still be renewing the previous year's expired certificate.
If no action is taken to renew within 12 months, the certificate is no longer valid and a person must re-apply, and meet initial certification requirements.
- Publication
- Form Type
- More Info
- OAR 811-010-0110 (14)
- Instructions
Renewal is annual. Board staff will email the "renewal notice" approximately 45 days prior to your renewal date (last day of birth month). The notice will remind you of your education requirements, and provide a link to the online renewal site (also provided below).
Annual fee: $75
OHA Survey: $2
Continuing Education hours: Six (6) and two of those 6 hours must be training on taking vitals, and one (1) of 6 hours must be cultural competency. Refer to the appropriate section on the Continuing Education page (link below) for more information.
- Publication
- Administrative Rule 811-010-0110 for Chiropractic Assistants
- Form Type
- OBCE Online Renewal website
- More Info
- Continuing education page
Fingerprint Background Check at Renewal
- Instructions
The Board has determined that all licensees (CAs and DCs) will be background checked (fingerprinted) every six years at renewal. Licensees who are due to be printed will receive a notice with their renewal notice (either in the same message or a second email).
Licensees are also required to pay the cost of the resulting criminal background check fee. Refer to the Fees link below for that amount.
CAs or DCs who were printed recently during the application process will not be printed again, until six years from that date.
Licensees are reminded that they are bound by Oregon Revised Statute 676.150 Duty to Report. See the statute/law below.
- Publication
- Oregon Revised Statute 676-150 Duty to Report
- Form Type
- Fees OAR 811-010-0008
- More Info
- Fitness Determination OAR 811-010-0084
30-day Grace Period for Assistants
- Instructions
The 30 days immediately after a certificate expires is called the "grace period." The Board allows an assistant to provide therapies during those 30 days, but a penalty is added to the renewal payment. $25 is added during the 30 days grace
If an assistant has not renewed by the end of the grace period, they are instructed to discontinue to practice providing therapies in the clinic.
Failure to discontinue to practice may result in disciplinary action.
- Publication
- Form Type
- More Info
- Unprofessional Conduct OAR 811-035-0015(14)