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New Practice Statute in New Jersey

Published: 2010-01-31 20:52:20
By: Dynamic Chiropractic | February 26, 2010

New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine signed new scope-of-practice legislation on Jan. 18, 2010 - just one day before being defeated in his quest for re-election - updating a practice statute considered antiquated and overly restrictive by the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors (ANJC)and many other DCs in the state. The signing marks the first time New Jersey's scope-of-practice regulations have been amended since 1953.

"We are very proud of our efforts on behalf of this bill and the impact it will have not just for the chiropractic profession, but most importantly, the 1 million patients we treat statewide each year that benefit from chiropractic care," said ANJC President Dr. Steven Clarke in an association press release issued Jan. 19, which summarizes key elements of the new scope law as follows:

Scope-of-Practice Stipulations

  • [The] term chiropractic subluxation, for the first time, is now written into statute.
  • Permits chiropractors to provide dietary/nutritional counseling, and the ability to dispense nutritional supplements.
  • Permits chiropractors to diagnose, analyze and treat all joints and soft tissues of the body independent of spinal subluxation.
  • Splinting and bracing, for the first time, will be put into law so that collars, braces and sports taping are forever adjuncts to chiropractic care.
  • Requires chiropractors to maintain malpractice liability insurance.
  • Requires chiropractors every two years to complete 30 credits for continuing education.
  • Permits chiropractors to administer physical modalities and therapeutic, rehabilitative and strengthening exercises.
  • Chiropractors can sign or certify temporary or permanent impairments and other certifications consistent with a chiropractic practice, such as pre-employment screenings.
  • Makes it unlawful for any person, other than a N.J. licensed chiropractor, to render a utilization management decision that limits, restricts or curtails a course of chiropractic care.
  • Consistent with chiropractic practice, allows DCs to provide a full complement of diagnostic and analytical tests similar to other physicians.

The continuing-education requirement is particularly noteworthy, as New Jersey chiropractors have been the only DCs in the nation not required to accrue periodic CE credits. The new law, says the ANJC, requires doctors to complete 30 CE credits per biennial registration period, "with a minimum of two credits consisting of the study of State laws and regulations governing professional ethics and record-keeping, and a minimum of two credits in nutrition education."

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