TRENTON -- Chiropractors would be legally permitted to prescribe medical tests, provide nutritional counseling, sell vitamins and supplements and call themselves "chiropractic physicians" under a bill that passed both legislative houses today.

The bill broadly expanding the scope of a chiropractor’s practice also requires licensed chiropractors to complete 30 credits of annual training, as well 45 hours of nutritional study at an accredited program if they choose to provide nutritional counseling. They also would have to carry malpractice insurance.

Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, (D-Gloucester), a key sponsor, has said expanding the scope of licensed chiropractic medicine would "give health care consumers more choice in treatment options.’’

Assembly sponsor Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer) said the law outlining what chiropractors are allowed to do has not been updated since it was enacted in 1953. "Through court decisions, chiropractic medicine has evolved,’’ she said.

A few Republicans spoke out against the bill, saying they were concerned chiropractors lacked the training to perform the functions specified in the bill.

Sen. Gerald Cardinale (R-Bergen) questioned why the bill would allow chiropractors to perform pre-employment physicals.

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