STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
5860--C
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 3, 2025
___________
Introduced by Sens. GOUNARDES, MURRAY, SKOUFIS -- read twice and ordered
printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher
Education -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as
amended and recommitted to said committee -- committee discharged,
bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said
committee -- recommitted to the Committee on Higher Education in
accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee discharged, bill
amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said commit-
tee
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to modernizing the
chiropractic scope of practice; and to repeal certain provisions of
such law relating thereto
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Section 6551 of the education law, as added by chapter 987
2 of the laws of 1971, paragraphs a and b of subdivision 2 as amended by
3 chapter 450 of the laws of 1983, and subdivision 3 as amended by chapter
4 683 of the laws of 1991, is amended to read as follows:
5 § 6551. Definition of practice of chiropractic. 1. The practice of
6 the profession of chiropractic is defined as [detecting and correcting
7 by manual or mechanical means structural imbalance, distortion, or
8 subluxations in the human body for the purpose of removing nerve inter-
9 ference and the effects thereof, where such interference is the result
10 of or related to distortion, misalignment or subluxation of or in the
11 vertebral column. 2.] the examination, evaluation, diagnosis, detection
12 and/or correction by manual, mechanical or other means, subluxations in
13 the vertebral column and other articulations and the effects thereof;
14 and/or the ability to treat soft tissue or neuromusculoskeletal dysfunc-
15 tion for the restoration and maintenance of health.
16 2. a. The practice of chiropractic includes physical and functional
17 examination of patients, health assessments, analysis, or to give
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05767-09-6
S. 5860--C 2
1 consultation, advice, recommendations and counseling regarding anatomy,
2 physiology, neurology, wellness and health optimization by any means of
3 communication, the use of x-ray and diagnostic imaging studies using
4 ionizing and non-ionizing imaging methods, adjustment, mobilization,
5 manipulation, traction, and decompression, and other procedures consist-
6 ing of but not limited to, heat, cold, light, air, water, sound, elec-
7 tricity, massage, manual therapies, therapeutic exercise with or without
8 assistive devices. Chiropractors may use diagnostic clinical laboratory
9 methods directly related to the diagnosis and monitoring of neuromuscu-
10 loskeletal conditions, including those assessing nutritional or metabol-
11 ic factors that impact musculoskeletal health, as approved by the
12 department.
13 b. Chiropractic examination, diagnostic and treatment methods may also
14 include electrodiagnostic testing and manipulation under anesthesia when
15 appropriate education standards have been met and as approved by the
16 department as being appropriate to the practice of chiropractic.
17 c. The practice of the profession of chiropractic allows a licensed
18 chiropractor who has successfully completed a registered doctoral, post-
19 doctoral or continuing education certification program of a higher
20 education credential by an accrediting agency, which contains courses of
21 study in wellness care methods, nutrition, and dietary advice satisfac-
22 tory to the department; use of wellness care methods and the ability to
23 engage in nutritional counseling and dietary advice, including the
24 dispensing of food concentrates, food extracts, nutraceuticals, vita-
25 mins, minerals, and other nutritional supplements approved by the
26 department as being appropriate to, and as a part of, the practice of
27 chiropractic, as the above relates to the definition of the practice of
28 chiropractic in subdivision one of this section.
29 3. a. A license to practice as a chiropractor shall permit a chirop-
30 ractic practitioner in their professional discretion the ability to
31 take, order and use x-ray and diagnostic imaging studies but shall not
32 permit the holder thereof to use [radio-therapy, fluoroscopy, or any
33 form of ionizing radiation except X-ray which shall be used for the
34 detection of structural imbalance, distortion, or subluxations in the
35 human body] ionizing radiation sources for the purposes of radiotherapy.
36 b. The requirements and limitations with respect to the use of [X-ray]
37 diagnostic imaging studies by chiropractors shall be enforced by the
38 state commissioner of health and [he] the commissioner is authorized to
39 promulgate rules and regulations after conferring with the [board]
40 department to carry out the purposes of this subdivision.
41 c. Chiropractors shall retain for a period of three years all [X-ray
42 films] diagnostic images taken in the course of their practice, together
43 with the records pertaining thereto, and shall make such [films] images
44 and records available to the state commissioner of health or [his] their
45 representative on demand.
46 [3.] 4. Chiropractors may use diagnostic clinical laboratory methods
47 involving chemical or biological means which particular tests and
48 services shall be approved by the department as appropriate to the prac-
49 tice of chiropractic as defined in this section.
50 5. A license to practice chiropractic shall not permit the holder
51 thereof to treat for any infectious diseases such as pneumonia, any
52 communicable diseases listed in the sanitary code of the state of New
53 York, any of the cardio-vascular-renal or cardio-pulmonary diseases, any
54 surgical condition [of the abdomen such as acute appendicitis, or
55 diabetes], or any benign or malignant neoplasms; to operate; to reduce
56 fractures [or dislocations]; to prescribe, administer, dispense or use
S. 5860--C 3
1 in [his] their practice drugs or medicines[; or to use diagnostic or
2 therapeutic methods involving chemical or biological means except diag-
3 nostic services performed by clinical laboratories which services shall
4 be approved by the board as appropriate to the practice of chiropractic;
5 or to utilize electrical devices except those devices approved by the
6 board as being appropriate to the practice of chiropractic. Nothing
7 herein shall be construed to prohibit a licensed chiropractor who has
8 successfully completed a registered doctoral program in chiropractic,
9 which contains courses of study in nutrition satisfactory to the depart-
10 ment, from using nutritional counseling, including the dispensing of
11 food concentrates, food extracts, vitamins, minerals, and other nutri-
12 tional supplements approved by the board as being appropriate to, and as
13 a part of, his or her practice of chiropractic. Nothing herein shall be
14 construed to prohibit an individual who is not subject to regulation in
15 this state as a licensed chiropractor from engaging in nutritional coun-
16 seling.] or controlled substances or to administer or use anesthetics.
17 Chiropractors may use over the counter topical analgesic substances and
18 anesthetic balms, salves or emollients or advise on over the counter
19 substances.
20 § 2. Section 6552 of the education law, as added by chapter 987 of the
21 laws of 1971, is amended to read as follows:
22 § 6552. Practice of chiropractic and use of title "chiropractor" or
23 "doctor of chiropractic". Only a person licensed [or exempt] or other-
24 wise authorized under this article [shall] to practice chiropractic [or]
25 may use the title "chiropractor" or "doctor of chiropractic".
26 § 3. Section 6553 of the education law, as added by chapter 987 of the
27 laws of 1971, is amended to read as follows:
28 § 6553. State board for chiropractic. A state board for chiropractic
29 shall be appointed by the board of regents on recommendation of the
30 commissioner for the purpose of assisting the board of regents and the
31 department on matters of professional licensing and professional conduct
32 in accordance with section sixty-five hundred eight of this title. The
33 board shall be composed of not less than [seven] eight members, includ-
34 ing [at least four licensed] seven chiropractors[, one licensed physi-
35 cian who is a doctor of medicine, one licensed physician who is a doctor
36 of osteopathy, and one educator who holds a doctorate or equivalent
37 degree in either anatomy, physiology, pathology, chemistry or microbiol-
38 ogy] licensed in this state and one public member. An executive secre-
39 tary to the board shall be appointed by the board of regents on recom-
40 mendation of the commissioner.
41 § 4. Section 6554 of the education law, as added by chapter 987 of the
42 laws of 1971, subdivision 3 as amended by chapter 994 of the laws of
43 1971, subdivision 6 as amended by chapter 669 of the laws of 2022, and
44 subdivision 8 as amended by chapter 62 of the laws of 1989, is amended
45 to read as follows:
46 § 6554. Requirements for a professional license. To qualify for a
47 license as a chiropractor, an applicant shall fulfill the following
48 requirements:
49 (1) Application: file an application with the department;
50 (2) Education: have received an education, including [two] three years
51 or ninety semester hours of credit or equivalent trimester or quarter
52 hours of credit of preprofessional college study and completion of a
53 [four-year resident program in chiropractic,] program of chiropractic
54 education of not less than four academic years, or the equivalent there-
55 of in accordance with the commissioner's regulations;
S. 5860--C 4
1 (3) Experience: have experience satisfactory to the board and in
2 accordance with the commissioner's regulations[:];
3 (4) Examination: pass examinations satisfactory to the board and in
4 accordance with the commissioner's regulations[, in clinical chiroprac-
5 tic analysis, the practice of chiropractic, X-ray as it relates to
6 chiropractic analysis, and examinations satisfactory to the department
7 in anatomy, physiology, pathology, chemistry, microbiology, diagnosis,
8 and the use and effect of X-ray] for the practice of chiropractic;
9 (5) Age: be at least twenty-one years of age;
10 (6) Citizenship or immigration status: be a United States citizen or a
11 noncitizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United
12 States;
13 (7) Character: be of good moral character as determined by the depart-
14 ment; and
15 (8) Fees: pay a fee of one hundred seventy-five dollars to the depart-
16 ment for [admission to a department conducted examination and for] an
17 initial license, [a fee of eighty-five dollars for each reexamination, a
18 fee of one hundred fifteen dollars for an initial license for persons
19 not requiring admission to a department conducted examination,] and a
20 fee of one hundred fifty-five dollars for each triennial registration
21 period.
22 § 5. Section 6555 of the education law, as amended by chapter 537 of
23 the laws of 1983, is amended to read as follows:
24 § 6555. Exempt persons. [Nothing in this article shall be construed
25 to affect or prevent a student enrolled in a college of chiropractic in
26 this state from engaging in all phases of clinical practice under super-
27 vision of a licensed chiropractor or physician in a curriculum regis-
28 tered by the department.] The following persons under the following
29 limitations may practice chiropractic within the state without a
30 license:
31 1. A student enrolled in any accredited college of chiropractic engag-
32 ing in all phases of clinical practice under supervision of a licensed
33 chiropractor or physician in a curriculum registered by the department;
34 or
35 2. A student who is performing a clinical externship or preceptorship
36 in a chiropractic office or clinic setting and who is enrolled in a
37 chiropractic school which meets the standards satisfactory to the
38 department, provided such practice is under the direct supervision of a
39 licensed chiropractor for a maximum period of twelve months; or
40 3. Any chiropractor who is licensed in another state or country and
41 who is meeting or communicating with a chiropractor licensed in this
42 state, for purposes of consultation, provided such practice is limited
43 to such consultation; or
44 4. Any chiropractor who is licensed in another state or country, who
45 is visiting a chiropractic school or teaching facility in this state to
46 receive chiropractic instruction for a period not to exceed six months
47 or to conduct chiropractic instruction, provided such practice is limit-
48 ed to such instruction and is under the general supervision of a
49 licensed chiropractor; or
50 5. Any chiropractor who is authorized by a foreign government to prac-
51 tice in relation to its diplomatic, consular or maritime staffs,
52 provided such practice is limited to such staffs; or
53 6. Any commissioned chiropractic officer who is serving in the United
54 States armed forces or public health service or any chiropractor who is
55 employed in the United States Veterans Administration, provided such
56 practice is limited to such service or employment; or
S. 5860--C 5
1 7. (a) Any chiropractor who is licensed and in good standing in anoth-
2 er state or territory, and who has a written agreement to provide
3 chiropractic services to athletes and team personnel of a United States
4 sports team recognized by the United States Olympic committee or an
5 out-of-state secondary school, institution of postsecondary education,
6 or professional athletic organization sports team, may provide chirop-
7 ractic services to such athletes and team personnel at a discrete sanc-
8 tioned team sporting event in this state as defined by the commissioner
9 in regulations, provided such services are provided only to such
10 athletes and team personnel at the discrete sanctioned team sporting
11 event. Any such chiropractic services shall be provided only five days
12 before through three days after each discrete sanctioned team sporting
13 event.
14 (b) Any person practicing as a chiropractor in New York state pursuant
15 to this subdivision shall be subject to the personal and subject matter
16 jurisdiction and disciplinary and regulatory authority of the board of
17 regents as if such chiropractor is a licensee and as if the exemption
18 pursuant to this subdivision is a license. Such individual shall comply
19 with applicable provisions of this title, the public health law, the
20 rules of the board of regents, and the regulations of the commissioner
21 and the commissioner of health, relating to professional misconduct,
22 disciplinary proceedings and penalties for professional misconduct.
23 § 6. Section 6556 of the education law is REPEALED and a new section
24 6556 is added to read as follows:
25 § 6556. Limited permits. Permits limited as to eligibility, practice
26 and duration, shall be issued by the department to eligible applicants,
27 as follows:
28 1. Eligibility: The following persons shall be eligible for a limited
29 permit:
30 a. A person who fulfills all requirements for a license as a chiro-
31 practor except those relating to the examination;
32 b. A licensed foreign chiropractor who meets guidelines developed in
33 accordance with the commissioner's regulations;
34 c. A licensed foreign chiropractor or a foreign intern who is in this
35 country on a non-immigration visa for the continuation of chiropractic
36 study who meets guidelines developed in accordance with the commission-
37 er's regulations and has received two years of training at a United
38 States accredited chiropractic school;
39 d. Any graduate of a chiropractic school which meets standards satis-
40 factory to the department, provided such practice is under the general
41 supervision of a licensed chiropractor for a maximum period of twelve
42 months from date of graduation.
43 2. Limit of practice. A permittee shall be authorized to practice
44 chiropractic only under the supervision of a licensed chiropractor and
45 only in a licensed chiropractic office or clinical setting.
46 3. Duration. A limited permit shall be valid for one year. A limited
47 permit may be renewed annually at the discretion of the department.
48 4. Fees. The fee for each limited permit and for each renewal shall be
49 one hundred five dollars.
50 § 7. The education law is amended by adding a new section 6557 to read
51 as follows:
52 § 6557. Special provisions. Notwithstanding any inconsistent
53 provision of any general, special or local law, any licensed chiroprac-
54 tor who voluntarily and without the expectation of monetary compensation
55 renders first aid or emergency treatment at the scene of an accident or
56 other emergency, outside a hospital, doctor's office or any other place
S. 5860--C 6
1 having proper and necessary chiropractic equipment, to a person who is
2 unconscious, ill or injured, shall not be liable for damages for inju-
3 ries alleged to have been sustained by such person or for damages for
4 the death of such person alleged to have occurred by reason of an act or
5 omission in the rendering of such first aid or emergency treatment
6 unless it is established that such injuries were or such death was
7 caused by gross negligence on the part of such chiropractor. Nothing in
8 this section shall be deemed or construed to relieve a licensed chiro-
9 practor from liability for damages for injuries or death caused by an
10 act or omission on the part of a chiropractor while rendering profes-
11 sional services in the normal and ordinary course of their practice.
12 § 8. This act shall take effect eighteen months after it shall have
13 become a law.
