Application for CA Certification and Annual Renewal
Please find on this page everything you need to know about applying to become a certified chiropractic assistant, and how to renew your certificate annually.
Become a certified CA
The chiropractic assistant certification process is straight-forward. You can prepare your application paperwork while you schedule your training. Once you submit your application, fees and proof of training to the Board, you will receive your exam and fingerprint instructions by email. Upon successful completion of your exam, and Board approval, a certificate will be issued to you. 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,
- The total fees, currently, $176.25 (Card, check or money order; NO cash), and
- Your proof/certificates showing completion of the 12 hours initial training.
You do not need to return the instructional sheets.
When you are ready to submit your application to the Board, you must send it by 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 (Adobe Reader or similar app is needed)
- More Info
- Credit/Debit Card Authorization form
- Instructions
All applicants for chiropractic assistant certification must be fingerprinted, even if recently printed for another Oregon license or certificate. If you are a chiropractic student and you have already made application with this Board for your DC license, you do not need to be fingerprinted a second time for the CA application, or pay the $41.25 with your initial assistant application. Notify board staff.
- Board staff will email the fingerprint instructions to you when the Board receives your complete application packet and fees.
- Do NOT make your appointment until you receive Board instructions, and then make your appointment immediately.
- Fieldprint will require you to make a nominal payment at the time you create your appointment to cover the cost of the printing*.
- Once you are printed and your prints are transferred to the Oregon State Police, it takes seven to ten business days for the Board to receive the background report.
* $41.25 of your initial application fees 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 full board; this will extend the application process significantly.
- Publication
- Fitness Determination Administrative Rule 811-010-0084
- Form Type
- More Info
- Fieldprint FAQs
- Instructions
Once the Board receives your complete application packet, board staff will send the chiropractic assistant examination to the email address you provided. The exam is open book. You may use any notes provided by your trainer to help answer the questions.
Add the email below to your email Safe Contacts.
- Publication
- Form Type
- More Info
- Mackenzie.G.Purnell@oregon.gov
- Instructions
Your chiropractic assistant certificate will be issued when
- You have successfully passed the examination,
- The Board receives the background report and all items have been disclosed, or explained, and
- The Board has approved 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 in their hand.
- Publication
- Form Type
- More Info
- Mackenzie.G.Purnell@oregon.gov
Annual CA certificate renewal
Renewal notices are emailed by Board staff approximately 45 days prior to your renewal date.
Continuing education must be completed prior to your renewal date as well.
If you do not renew by your renewal date, please read the 30 day Grace Period and Failure to Renew sections below.
Renewals must be completed online. If you're ready,
CLICK HERE
Failure to renew - after the 30-day grace period
- Instructions
Even though you may not provide any therapies, you may still renew a certificate, however, you must meet the standard renewal 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 late renewal fee in addition to the $75 renewal fee, when paying online
- Wait to provide therapies until you receive a certificate in hand
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 not action is taken to renew within 12 months, the certificate is no longer valid and a person must re-apply, and meet those 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. 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 cease and desist providing therapies in the clinic.
Failure to cease and desist practice may result in disciplinary action.
- Publication
- Form Type
- More Info
- Unprofessional Conduct OAR 811-035-0015(14)