Application for CA Certification and Annual Renewal
Become a Certified Chiropractic Assistant
Complete the online application. Once your application has been reviewed and approved, you will receive exam and fingerprint instructions. Upon successful completion of the exam, and OBCE review, a certificate will then be issued and made available for download. Review each section below to proceed.
- Instructions
Answer all question truthfully, and read the History Disclosure Guide. Provide all relative police reports, and court documents when answering "Yes" to criminal history questions.
With your application, you must upload:
- An original, untouched passport-type color photo,
- Total fees of $176.25, and
- Proof/certificates of completion of the 12 hours initial training.
Incomplete applications cannot be processed until all requirements are met.
- Publication
- Chiropractic Assistant Administrative Rule (OAR)
- Form Type
- More Info
- Apply
- Instructions
The Board's training syllabus provides an outline for initial chiropractic assistant training.
Board-approved trainers offer live and online sessions. If you are employed by a chiropractic clinic, your supervising doctor may provide the training as described in the syllabus. Please utilize the DC Guidelines and Form below.
You must complete 12 hours of initial training, including eight (8) hours of lecture and four (4) hours of hands-on training. Hands-on training must cover hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, and physiotherapy.
A certificate of completion must be submitted with your application.
A BLS/AED/CPR certification must be obtained to be a certified CA within the first year of certification.
Chiropractic Assistant Training Resource - studying the references does not guarantee an applicant will pass the examination.
- Publication
- Form Type
- DC Guidelines and Form for training own CA applicant
- More Info
- Board-approved Trainers (Live and Online)
- Instructions
Applicants for chiropractic assistant certification must be fingerprinted, even if recently printed for another Oregon license or certificate.
If you are a chiropractic student with an application for your DC license, you do not need to be fingerprinted a second time for the CA application, or pay the fee. Please notify OBCE staff.
- Fingerprint instructions will be sent once the application is completed and reviewed.
- Please do not make your appointment until instructions are received.
- Fieldprint charges a small fee at the time you create your appointment to cover the cost of printing.
- The OBCE receives a background check report from the Oregon State Police within 1-2 business days.
$46.25 of your initial application fee covers the cost of the background report, not the actual fingerprinting.
Felony convictions and a few other serious charges, arrests or convictions will cause the application to be reviewed by the Executive Director and/or full board; this could extend the application process significantly.
- Publication
- Fitness Determination Administrative Rule 811-010-0084
- Form Type
- More Info
- Fieldprint FAQs
- Instructions
Your chiropractic assistant certificate will be issued when
- OBCE receives proof of a passing score from NBCE on the CA exam,
- The background report and all items have been disclosed, or explained, and
- OBCE completes a final review and approves your application
Oregon uses a birth month renewal system, so your initial certificate may only be valid for six months or up to 18 months. Make a note of it when you receive your certificate and letter.
Assistants may not provide therapies until the certificate is received.
- Publication
- Form Type
- More Info
- Heather.Gilker@obce.oregon.gov
Annual CA Certificate Renewal
Renewal notices are emailed approximately 45 days prior to your renewal date. Continuing education must be completed prior to your renewal date and within the previous 12 months. If you renew past your renewal date, please read the 30 day Grace Period and Failure to Renew sections below.
- Instructions
Although you may not provide any therapies, you can still renew a certificate, however, you must meet the standard renewal requirement, plus:
- Submit to the OBCE your proof of six (6) hours completed CE (taken within the immediate 12 months);
- Expect to pay a $50 late renewal fee in addition to the $117 renewal fee, when paying online
- Wait to provide therapies until you receive a certificate
A certificate is renewable up to 12 months from the expiration date, but be aware, whether you renew 3, 7, 9 or 11 months late, you will still be renewing the previous year's expired certificate.
If no action is taken to renew within 12 months, the certificate is no longer valid and a person must re-apply, and meet initial certification requirements.
- Publication
- Form Type
- More Info
- OAR 811-010-0110 (14)
- Instructions
Renewal is annual. Board staff will email the "renewal notice" approximately 45 days prior to your renewal date (last day of birth month). The notice will remind you of your education requirements.
Annual fee: $117
OHA Survey: $2
Continuing Education hours: Six (6) and two of those 6 hours must be training on taking vitals, and one (1) of 6 hours must be cultural competency. Refer to the appropriate section on the Continuing Education page (link below) for more information.
A BLS/AED/CPR certification must be obtained to be a certified CA within the first year of certification : Training Resource
- Publication
- Administrative Rule 811-010-0110 for Chiropractic Assistants
- Form Type
- Renew
- More Info
- Continuing education page
- Instructions
Upon receipt of your notice, check your records to confirm whether you have completed the required education hours. If not, complete those hours. Note: All required hours must be completed before renewing.
Log into the user portal and renew. You may update information such as home and/or clinic addresses, complete the Healthcare Workforce Survey, answer renewal questions, and make payment.
Annual fee: $117
OHA Survey: $2
- Publication
- Administrative Rule 811-010-0110 for Chiropractic Assistants
- Form Type
- Renew
- More Info
- Continuing education page
- Instructions
The Board has determined that all licensees (CAs and DCs) will be background checked (fingerprinted) every six years at renewal. Licensees who are due to be printed will receive a notice with their renewal notice (either in the same message or a second email).
Licensees are also required to pay the cost of the resulting criminal background check fee. Refer to the Fees link below for that amount.
Licensees are reminded that they are bound by Oregon Revised Statute 676.150 Duty to Report. See the statute/law below.
- Publication
- Oregon Revised Statute 676-150 Duty to Report
- Form Type
- Fees OAR 811-010-0008
- More Info
- Fitness Determination OAR 811-010-0084
- Instructions
The 30 days immediately after a certificate expires is called the "grace period." The OBCE allows an assistant to provide therapies during those 30 days, but a penalty is added to the renewal payment. $25 is added during the 30 days grace
If an assistant has not renewed by the end of the grace period, they are instructed to discontinue to practice providing therapies in the clinic.
Failure to discontinue to practice may result in disciplinary action.
- Publication
- Form Type
- More Info
- Unprofessional Conduct OAR 811-035-0015(14)