Pennsylvania SB 1302: An Act amending the act of December 16, 1986 (P.L.1646, No.188), known as the Chiropractic Practice Act, providing for certified chiropractic assistants; in supportive personnel, further providing for supportive personnel; and making an editorial change.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1641
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 1302
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY BARTOLOTTA, COMITTA, HUTCHINSON, VOGEL, ARGALL,
KEEFER, YAW, PICOZZI, PENNYCUICK, BOSCOLA AND SANTARSIERO,
APRIL 23, 2026
REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE,
APRIL 23, 2026
AN ACT
Amending the act of December 16, 1986 (P.L.1646, No.188),
entitled "An act providing for the licensing of chiropractors
and the regulation of the practice of chiropractic;
establishing the State Board of Chiropractic in the
Department of State and providing for its powers and duties;
providing for the supervision of colleges of chiropractic,
for the examination of applicants, for enforcement and for
disciplinary actions; providing penalties; and making
repeals," providing for certified chiropractic assistants; in
supportive personnel, further providing for supportive
personnel; and making an editorial change.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of December 16, 1986 (P.L.1646, No.188),
known as the Chiropractic Practice Act, is amended by adding a
chapter to read:
CHAPTER 5-A
CERTIFIED CHIROPRACTIC ASSISTANTS
Section 501-A. Chiropractic assistant certifications.
(a) Eligibility.--To be eligible for certification by the
board as a chiropractic assistant, an applicant shall:
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(1) be at least 18 years of age unless otherwise
determined by the board;
(2) possess a high school diploma or its equivalent;
(3) prove to the satisfaction of the board that the
individual is of good moral character and is not unfit or
unable to practice as a chiropractic assistant by reason of
physical or mental impairment. In assessing the moral
character of an individual with a criminal conviction, the
board shall conduct an individualized assessment in
accordance with 63 Pa.C.S. § 3113 (relating to consideration
of criminal convictions);
(4) be a graduate of a nationally recognized
chiropractic assistant program approved by the board; and
(5) successfully pass an examination approved by the
board, subject to rules and regulations established by the
board and administered in accordance with section 812.1 of
the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The
Administrative Code of 1929. An applicant may not be
certified as a certified chiropractic assistant unless the
applicant has attained passing scores on the examination
under this paragraph as published prior to the administration
of the examination.
(b) Temporary certification.--Upon the submission of an
application for certification as a chiropractic assistant as
provided by the board, the board shall issue a temporary
certificate to the applicant who meets the requirements under
subsection (a)(1) and (4) and is eligible to take the
examination under subsection (a)(5) . The board shall issue only
one temporary certificate under this subsection to an applicant.
A temporary certificate under this subsection shall expire upon
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the applicant's failure of the first examination under
subsection (a)(5), or six months after the date of issuance of
the temporary certificate, whichever occurs first. Issuance of a
temporary certificate under this subsection shall permit the
applicant to engage in the practice of chiropractic assistance
only while under the direct on-premises supervision of a
licensed chiropractor. Upon the expiration of a temporary
certificate under this subsection, the applicant shall promptly
return the temporary certificate to the board.
(c) Second examination.--If an applicant fails the first
examination under subsection (a)(5), the applicant for
certification, after the expiration of 60 days from the date of
the first examination and no later than one year after the first
examination, shall have the opportunity to take the examination
a second time. The board may adopt regulations governing the
eligibility of applicants who have failed to pass two
examinations under subsection (a)(5) in order to be admitted to
subsequent examinations.
(d) Use of title.--Only an individual who has been properly
certified as a chiropractic assistant with the board, in
accordance with this chapter and the rules and regulations
promulgated by the board, shall assist a licensed chiropractor
as a certified chiropractic assistant and use the title
"certified chiropractic assistant" and the abbreviation "CCA."
(e) Actions.--The board shall issue, renew, revoke or
suspend the certification of a chiropractic assistant in
accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the
board. All actions of the board under this subsection shall be
taken subject to the right of notice, hearing and adjudication
and the right of appeal in accordance with 2 Pa.C.S. (relating
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