(1) A chiropractor must demonstrate completion of twenty-five hours of continuing education each annual renewal cycle as required by RCW 18.25.070 and chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 7. The required continuing education must be obtained during the period between renewals.

(2) A chiropractor must attest to completion of the continuing education requirement upon renewal. If the first renewal period is less than one full year from the date of licensure, no continuing education will be due for the first renewal period.

(3) A chiropractor in active status who resides and practices outside Washington must meet all the requirements.

(4) A chiropractor is not required to obtain prior approval of any continuing education.

(5) The commission approves the following subject material within the scope of practice for continuing chiropractic education credit:

(a) Diagnosis and treatment of the spine or extremity articulations within the scope of practice;

(b) X-ray/diagnostic imaging;

(d) Detection of a subluxation;

(e) Physical examination;

(f) Hygiene;

(g) Symptomatology;

(h) Neurology;

(i) Pathology;

(j) Orthopedics;

(k) Patient/case management, documentation, coding;

(l) Impairment within the scope of practice;

(m) CPR (not to exceed a total of four hours);

(n) Dietary and nutrition advice;

(o) Chiropractic philosophy; and

(p) Governmental regulations relevant to chiropractic and public health (not to exceed a total of twelve hours).

(6) As part of the continuing education, a chiropractor must obtain a one-time, three-hour training in suicide screening and referral from a qualified suicide prevention training program. The training must be completed during the first full reporting period after initial licensure.

(a) A qualified training program is empirically supported training in suicide screening and referral that is at least three hours in length and may be provided in one or more sessions.

(b) The hours spent completing a training program in suicide screening and referral under this section count toward meeting any applicable continuing education requirements.

(c) Effective July 1, 2017, in order to meet the suicide training requirements, a chiropractor must obtain the three-hour training in suicide screening and referral from a qualified suicide prevention training program identified on the department of health's model list as required under RCW 43.70.442.

(d) Nothing in this subsection is intended to expand or limit the chiropractic scope of practice.

(7) Subject matter not approved for continuing education credit:

(a) Subject matter not directly relating to the chiropractic clinical scope of practice; and

(b) Conduct prohibited by Washington state statutes or rules governing chiropractic practice.

(8) A chiropractor may earn a maximum of twelve hours for:

(a) Completing a multimedia chiropractic education program, which includes, but is not limited to, the internet, teleseminars, employer led training, and audio or video presentations.

(b) Serving as teachers or lecturers in continuing education programs approved under subsection (5) of this section. A chiropractor may receive credit on the same basis as those attending the program.

(9) The commission may randomly audit license holders for compliance. A chiropractor must provide acceptable documentation of attendance upon commission request or audit. Acceptable forms of documentation include:

(a) Transcripts;

(b) Written documentation from the course instructors;

(c) Certificate of completion indicating the name of the course, date(s) of the course, and the number of credit hours completed; or

(d) Other formal documentation which includes:

(i) Participant's name;

(ii) Course title;

(iii) Course content;

(iv) Date(s) of course;

(v) Number of credit hours completed;

(vi) Instructor's name(s); and

(vii) Signature of the program sponsor or course instructor. Multimedia courses are exempt from the signature requirement.

(10) A sponsor offering a continuing chiropractic education program does not need prior commission approval for a formal continuing education program. The number of creditable hours may be determined by counting the contact hours of instruction. A credit hour for time actually spent in a course cannot be less than fifty minutes as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 7.

(11) The commission may grant exemptions or time extensions on an individual basis, if a licensee fails to meet continuing education requirements due to illness, retirement, or other extenuating circumstances.

PDFWAC 246-808-150

Commission approved continuing education.