05/13/2026

Doctor of Chiropractic vs. Chiropractic Physician & Explanation of Continuing Education (CE) Changes Based on Renewal Cycle

Dr. Scott LeBaron - AAC Board President

It was recently brought to my attention that the Executive Director of the Arizona Board of Chiropractic Examiners (AZBCE) recently changed the designation on our license certificates from “Chiropractic Physician,” which had been used for many years, to “Doctor of Chiropractic.”

The explanation provided was as follows:
A.R.S. § 32-900(5) and Board Rule R4-7-101 define “Chiropractor,” “Doctor of Chiropractic,” and “Chiropractic Physician” as synonymous. Additionally, A.R.S. § 32-925(A) confirms that the “D.C.” designation encompasses the full scope of practice authority, including diagnosis, X-ray, and clinical laboratory procedures.

While this explanation may be technically accurate, it is important to provide historical and regulatory context regarding the continued use and significance of the “Chiropractic Physician” designation.

Since 1985, the State of Arizona directory on the Board’s website has formally used the title “Chiropractic Physician” to categorize practitioners. Legally, Arizona recognizes chiropractors as physician-level providers, a status that is also reflected by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for certain services. This designation grants chiropractors the authority to diagnose, order imaging, and develop treatment plans within their scope of practice.

Under many state laws and insurance systems, chiropractors are categorized as physician-level providers for billing and reimbursement purposes. This classification supports their ability to diagnose conditions, order diagnostic imaging such as X-rays or MRIs, and implement treatment plans consistent with chiropractic care.

This designation also reflects Arizona’s status as one of several states that legally recognizes licensed chiropractors as physicians within their defined scope.

The Arizona State Board of Chiropractic Examiners has historically used the term “Chiropractic Physician” in its public registry and regulatory communications. Furthermore, CMS recognizes chiropractors as physician-level providers for specific services, including medically necessary spinal manipulation. As such, chiropractors are often referred to as “physicians” in regulatory and legal contexts, distinct from medical doctors but still within a recognized physician-level classification.

Board Communication and Ongoing Efforts

Through ongoing communication and collaboration with the AZBCE concerns have been formally raised regarding this change. A strong position has been expressed that the designation “Chiropractic Physician” should be reinstated.

Action Plan and Prioritization

To support the association’s preference for the “Physician” title, the following steps are being initiated:

• Renewal Receipts: A request has been submitted to GovCore to update templates so that the professional category reflects “Doctor of Chiropractic / Chiropractic Physician.” This provides practitioners with formal documentation including the “Physician” terminology.
• System Updates: As the Board continues its transition to GovCore, technical priorities are currently focused on system security and payment integrity. Updates to license certificate wording are on the development list but are considered a secondary-phase priority.

We will continue to monitor the progress of this action plan and provide updates as they become available.

A special thank you to Dr. Camacho for his efforts in advocating for this change, Dr. Altman for his research and support, and Senator Shamp for submitting a letter to the Board in support of this initiative.

Explanation of Continuing Education (CE) Changes Based on Renewal Cycle

All licensees are required to complete twelve (12) hours of continuing education (CE) for each renewal period, including a minimum of two (2) hours in record keeping when renewing in even-numbered years.

Each course must be on subjects that provide clinical benefit to the consumer of chiropractic services. Courses must have a significant relationship to assessing, diagnosing, or treating patients within the chiropractic scope of practice, as defined in A.R.S. § 32-925 and A.R.S. § 32-922.02. The primary consideration for CE eligibility is that the course contributes directly to the professional competence of the licensee.

Continuing education hours may be logged in your portal account at any time. However, all CE requirements must be completed prior to submitting your renewal application. Licensees are required to upload CE certificates as part of the renewal process.

To be eligible for renewal, licensees must complete 12 CE hours between their last renewal submission date and the current renewal application date each year. Compliance must be documented within the renewal application.

Licensees are required to:

• Upload current-year CE certificates during renewal
• Track CE hours through the Licensure Portal
• Retain CE documentation for at least five (5) years

The Board reserves the right to audit CE compliance at any time within this five-year period and may request documentation verifying course completion.