Continuing Education Requirements for Doctors

Here you will find information on the Practice Act as well as Rules & Regulations overseen by the Colorado Board of Chiropractic Examiners (CBCE). 

Educational Rules

From Colorado Board of Chiropractic Examiners Rules and Regulations – Rule 1.8 – Updated August 30, 2020

Rule 1.8 Continuing Education

The purpose of this rule is to establish the continuing education requirements for a chiropractor as required in Section 12-33-116 and 127, C.R.S.A.

A. Every chiropractor with an active license shall complete a minimum educational requirement of thirty hours of scientific clinics, forums, or chiropractic educational study consisting of subjects basic to the field of the healing arts as set forth in section 12-215-106, C.R.S., every renewal period, which is currently two (2) years.

B. Every chiropractor who is registered to perform animal chiropractic shall complete twenty hours of CE per renewal period that is specific to diagnosis and treatment of animals authorized by statute. All CE courses shall be in the fields of study listed in sections 12-215-127(4) and (5), C.R.S. This requirement is in addition to the CE requirement of Section (A) of this Rule.

C. Inactive licensees need not complete CE requirements. Upon reactivation of a chiropractic license, CE requirements must be met as outlined in Rule 1.1.

D. Continuing education must have as its primary objective the increase of professional competence of licensed chiropractors, and include scientific clinics, forums, or chiropractic educational study consisting of subjects basic to the field of the healing arts. A licensee is responsible for ensuring that CE courses comply with the requirements and section 12-215-113, C.R.S. The Board does not pre-approve CE courses, curriculum or programs.

E. The number of credit hours may be determined by counting the credit hours of instruction and rounding to the nearest quarter hour, except as otherwise indicated below for college/university courses. The CE conversion table for college/university courses which meet the CE requirements in this Rule is as follows: 1 semester hour = 15 CE credit hours 1 quarter hour = 8.5 CE credit hours

F. Program sponsors shall present continuing chiropractic education that constitutes a meritorious learning experience and complies with section 12-215-113, C.R.S. If a sponsor falsified information regarding the course, the Board may require the sponsor’s future courses be preapproved.

G. Any excess CE hours above the minimum educational requirement in any applicable renewal period may not be ‘carried over’ in order to meet the minimum educational requirements in any succeeding renewal period. A licensee shall only count CE hours completed for the renewal period.

H. Each actively licensed Colorado chiropractor is required to maintain ‘Health Provider Level Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation’ (CPR), as provided by the American Heart Association or substantially similar nationally or internationally recognized organization. All active licensees must maintain proof of current and valid CPR certification. The hours necessary to maintain this CPR certification may be used towards the CE hours required by this Rule. The lecture component may be taken on-line or attended at a live class. The skill test component must be in-person and at a live class.

I. If a licensee has been licensed for a period of twelve months or less before the first license renewal period, the licensee is not required to submit CE for license renewal. If a licensee has been licensed for longer than twelve months before the first license renewal period, the licensee is required to submit fifteen of the CE credit hours; recordkeeping and documentation CEs are not required to be part of this fifteen hours.

J. Courses in the promotion of practice building or office management do not satisfy the requirements of this Rule. Courses in practices which are outside the chiropractic scope of practice do not satisfy the requirements of this Rule. At least four of the thirty required hours per renewal period shall be in recordkeeping and documentation.

K. For every renewal period, up to ten CE hours may be obtained through distance learning programs. These may include, but are not limited to, internet education programs, CDs, DVDs, video and audio tapes. To obtain CE credit for distance learning, successful completion of a proficiency testing component is required.

L. Licensees must maintain in their own files the following information: (1) the dates of the CE program; (2) the certificate of attendance, including the hours in attendance; (3) a synopsis of the course content; and (4) the identity of the course sponsor. These records must be kept for a period of four years.

M. The Board may conduct a random compliance audit of renewal applicants to verify CE course content and number of hours completed. Licensees must comply with the audit process requested by the Board. If a licensee does not comply, disciplinary action for failure to comply with section 12-215-115(1)(f), C.R.S., may be considered by the Board.

N. If any licensed chiropractor is unable to comply with this section on account of dire emergency and for good cause shown, the Board may waive the provisions of section 12-215-113, C.R.S. A licensee requesting waiver must send a written petition to the Board, outlining the reasons for the request. The licensee will be notified of the Board’s decision in writing.

Educational Policies: 

For the most up to date Statutes, Rules, Regulations and Policies for chiropractors please visit DORA’s website HERE.