.0201 REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE

1. General. In order to be licensed to practice chiropractic in North Carolina, an applicant must satisfy the criteria established by G.S. 90-143, which statute is herewith incorporated by reference in accordance with G.S. 150B-14(c).
2. Applicants Licensed in Other States (Reciprocity). The issuance of licenses to applicants already licensed in other states is governed by G.S. 90-143.1, which statute is herewith incorporated by reference in accordance with G.S. 150B-14(c).
3. Good Character. "Good character" as used in G.S. 90-143 is defined by the Board as generally good conduct abnd reputation, and the use of appropriate discretion in personal, educational or business pursuits.

History Note:

Legislative Objection Lodged Eff. January 31, 1983;
Statutory Authority G.S. 90-142; 90-143; 90-143.1; 150B-9(d);
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Readopted Eff. January 27, 1978;
Amended Eff. January 1, 1983;
Curative Amended Eff. February 28, 1983;
Amended Eff. April 1, 1989; July 1, 1988.

.0202 APPLICATION FOR LICENSURE

1. General. Application for licensure shall be made in writing upon forms prescribed by the Board. The secretary shall furnish the necessary forms to prospective applicants upon request.
2. Description of Forms. The written application shall consist of two forms, the Application Form and the Character Reference Form.  The following information shall be required to complete each form:
   1. Application Form: personal background of the applicant; his educational history; a recent photograph; and a statement confirming that he has read, understands and will abide by the General Statutes and administrative rules governing chiropractic.
   2. Character Reference Form: the statements of three persons not related to the applicant attesting to his good moral character. Two of the three persons providing reference must be licensed chiropractors.
3. Deadlines for Filing Applications. Applications for the North Carolina examination must be received at the office of the Board no later than 15 days before the scheduled examination dates as provided in 21 NCAC 1- .0203 (b).
4. Application Fee. An application fee of three hundred dollars ($300.00) must accompany each application. This fee shall be paid in cash, or by certified check, cashier's check or money order made payable to the North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Personal checks shalll not be accepted.

History Notes:

Legislative Objection Lodged Eff. January 31, 1983;
Curative Amended Eff. February 28, 1983;
Legislative Objection Lodged Eff. December 17, 1982;
Curative Amended Eff. December 30, 1982;
Statutory Authority G.S. 90-142; 90-143; 90-143.1; 90-145; 90-146;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Readopted Eff. January 27, 1978;
Amended Eff. January 1, 1989; January 1, 1983; October 17, 1980.

.0203 EXAMINATIONS

1. Eligibility. Only those applicants who meet the requirements of G.S. 90-143, or in the case of reciprocity applicants, G.S. 90-143.1, and who have submitted a timely and complete written application pursuant to 21 NCAC 10 Rule .0202 shall be allowed to take the examination.
2. Date of examination. The North Carolina examination shall be given four times each year, on the fourth Saturday in January, April, July and October.  Eligible applicants shall be notified of the exact date, time and location of the examination as soon as possible after their written applications have been approved by the Board.  
3. National Boards. Except as provided in Paragraph (e) of this Rule, in order to take the North Carolina examination, an applicant who has never been licensed in this state or who is not a reciprocity applicant shall first achieve a score of 375 or higher on each of the following examinations given by the national Board of Examiners: Part I, Part II, Part III (WCCE) and the elective examination (termed "Physiotherapy" by the National Board).  In addition, the applicant shall achieve a score of 475 or higher on Part IV of the National Board examination. 
4. Report of scores,  The applicant shall arrange for his test results from the National Board examinations to be reported to the North Carolina Board in a timely manner.  Failure to comply with this provision shall be a basis for delaying the issuance of a license.
5. Waiver of National Boards.  The Board recognizes that many established chiropractors were licensed prior to the introduction of one or more national Board examinations.  Notwithstanding the requirements of Paragraph (c) of this Rule, an applicant who submits National Board examination results in conformity with the following schedule shall not be disqualified from licensure in North Carolina:

(1)     If the applicant was initially licensed in his home state before July 1, 1966, he shall not be required to submit a score from any national Board examination;

(2)     If the applicant was initially licensed in his home state between July 1,  1966 and June 30, 1986, he shall be required to submit scores of 375 or higher on National Board Part I, Part II, and the elective examination termed "Physiotherapy", but he shall not be required to submit a score on Part III (WCCE) or Part IV;

(3)      If the applicant was initially licensed in his home state between between July 1,1986 and June 30, 1997, he shall be required to submit scores of 375 or higher on National Board Part I, Part II,the elective examination termed "Physiotherapy" and Part III (WCCE); but he shall not be required to submit a score on Part IV. 

               In order to receive a license, an applicant who qualified for a waiver of any National Board score must take and pass the SPEC examination and the North Carolina examination and satisfy all other requirements for licensure.

(f)          SPEC Examination.  In order to take the North Carolina examination, a reciprocity applicant, a waiver applicant pursuant to Paragraph (d) of this Rule, or an applicant previously licensed in this State whose license has been canceled pursuant to G.S. 90-155 for more than 180 days must first take and pass the Special Purpose Examination for Chiropractic ("SPEC").

(g)        Nature of Examination.  The North Carolina examination is a written test of an applicant's knowledge of chiropractic jurisprudence.  No part of the examination is open-book, and no reference material of any kind shall be allowed in the examination area.  The passing grade is 75.

(h)        Review of Examination Results.  an applicant who has been denied licensure because he failed the North Carolina examination may request a review of his answers provided his request is made in writing and received by the secretary not later than 20 days after issuance of the examination results.  Unless the applicant specifically requests to review his answers in person, the review shall be limited to a re-tabulation of the applicant's score to make certain no clerical errors were made in grading.  If the applicant requests to review his answers in person, he shall be permitted to do so at the office of the Board in the presence of a representative of the Board and for a period of not more than 30 minutes.  The applicant shall not be permitted to discuss his examination with any member of the Board, grader, or test administrator. 

(i)        Date of Licensure.  An applicant who meets all the requirements for licensure shall be issued a license within 30 days after taking the North Carolina examination. 

History Notes:

Legislative Objection Lodged Eff. January 31, 1983;
Curative Amended Eff. February 18, 1983;
Statutory Authority G.S. 90-142; 90-143;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Readopted Eff. January 27, 1978;
Amended Eff. August 1, 1995; December 1, 1998; January 1, 1983;
October 17, 1980.

.0204 LICENSURE

1. Initial Licensure. The initial license awarded to an applicant who passed the examination will be mailed to the address appearing on the application form.
2. Change of Address. It shall be the responsibility of the licentiate to inform the Board of any change in his mailing address. Updated address information should be forwarded to the secretary in writing within 30 days after any such change.

History Note:

Legislative Objection Lodged Eff. January 31, 1983;
Curative Amended Eff. February 28, 1983;
Statutory Authority G.S. 90-145; 90-148;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Readopted Eff. January 27, 1978;
Amended Eff. December 1, 1988; January 1, 1983.

.0205 RENEWAL OF LICENSE

1. General. The renewal, cancellation and restoration of a license are governed by G.S. 90-155, which statute is herewith incorporated by reference in accordance with G.S. 150B-14(c).
2. Renewal Application Form. Annual application for renewal of license shall be made on a form prescribed and furnished by the Board. Any changes in a licentiate's name, address, professional specialty or employment shall be noted on the Renewal Application Form.

History Note:

Curative Amended Eff. February 28, 1983;
Statutory Authority G.S. 90-145; 90-148;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Readopted Eff. January 27, 1978;
Amended Eff. December 1, 1988; January 1, 1983.

.0205 RENEWAL OF LICENSE

1. General. The renewal, cancellation and restoration of a license are governed by G.S. 90-155, which statute is herewith incorporated by reference in accordance with G.S. 150B-14(c).
2. Renewal Application Form. Annual application for renewal of license shall be made on a form prescribed and furnished by the board. Any changes in a licentiate's name, address professional specialty or employment shall be noted on the Renewal Application Form.
3. Continuing Education. The licentiate shall state on the Renewal Application Form the name, date, sponsor and duration of all educational sessions attended by him during the preceding year.
   1. As used in G.S. 90-155, one "day" of continuing education shall be defined as twelve hours.
   2. Evidence of attendance shall be in the form of written certification from the sponsoring body.
   3. Any licentiate seeking a hardship waiver of the continuing education requirement shall make application on a separate form provided by the secretary upon request.
4. Renewal Fee. A renewal fee in the maximum amount allowed by statute shall be paid by each licentiate applying for renewal.
5. Restoration of Canceled License: Evidence of Proficiency. In order to provide evidence of proper proficiency, any former licentiate whose license has been canceled due to non-compliance with G.S. 90-155 must be re-examined and must pay the application fee prescribed in 21 NCAC 10 Rule .0202(d) to cover the cost of re-examination. Payment of the application fee does not constitute payment of the statutory reinstatement fee.

21 NCAC 10 .0210  INDIVIDUAL-STUDY CONTINUING EDUCATION

(a) Hours permitted.  A doctor of chiropractic may obtain as many as 12 credit hours of continuing education each year by successfully completing one or more individual-study courses approved by the Board.

(b) Course approval.  The criteria for Board approval of an individual-study course is as follows: 

History Note: