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Chiropractic Assistant (CA)

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:
  1. An original, untouched passport-type color photo,
  2. Total fees of $142.25 using the payment portal, and
  3. 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

The Boa​rd's training syllabus provides an outline for initial chiropractic assistant training.

Board-approved trainers offer live and online sessions. If you are employed by a chiropractic clinic, your supervising doctor may provide the training as described in the syllabus. Please utilize the DC Guidelines and Form below.

You must complete 12 hours of initial training, including eight (8) hours of lecture and four (4) hours of hands-on training. Hands-on training must cover hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, and physiotherapy.

A certificate of completion must be submitted with your application packet.

A BLS/AED/CPR certification must be obtained to be a certified CA within the first year of certification : Training Resource​

Chiropractic Assistant Training Resource​ - studying the references does not guarantee an applicant will pass the examination.

Publication
Pre-scheduled LIVE Initial Training classes (12 hours)
Form Type
DC Guidelines and Form for training own CA applicant
More Info
Board-approved Trainers (Live and Online)
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
After review and approval of your completed application packet, OBCE staff will sent exam and fingerprint instructions via email.

Chiropractic Assistant Training Resource​ - studying the references does not guarantee an applicant will pass the examination.


Publication
NBCE Login Site
Form Type
NBCE Website
More Info
heather.gilker@obce.oregon.gov
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
Heather.Gilker@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.
Instructions

Although you may not provide any therapies, you can still renew a certificate, however, you must meet the standard renewal requirement, plus: 

  1. Submit to the OBCE your proof of six (6) hours completed CE (taken within the immediate 12 months); 
  2. Expect to pay a $50 late renewal fee in addition to the $90 renewal fee, when paying online
  3. 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: $90
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.

A BLS/AED/CPR certification must be obtained to be a certified CA within the first year of certification : Training Resource

Publication
Administrative Rule 811-010-0110 for Chiropractic Assistants
Form Type
OBCE Online Renewal website
More Info
Continuing education page
Instructions
Upon receipt of your notice, check your records to confirm whether you have completed the required education hours. If not, complete those hours.  Note: All required hours must be completed before renewing.

Log into the OBCE renewal site (link is below and in the header of the webpage) - update home and/or clinic addresses, complete the Healthcare Workforce Survey, answer renewal questions, and make payment. ​​

Annual fee: $90
OHA Survey: $2​

Publication
Administrative Rule 811-010-0110 for Chiropractic Assistants
Form Type
Online Renewal
More Info
Continuing education page
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
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)