The physical therapy curriculum of chiropractic colleges is under examination by the Chiropractic Board of California Examiners.
For licensure in California, the board requires: 1) at least 120 hours of physical therapy instruction in the curriculum; and 2) physical therapy must be included in clinical training supervised in the college's student clinic.
M. Elizabeth Ware, the executive director of the California board, told DC that the California board "has discussed at length this issue, particularly with regard to both Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic and Life Chiropractic College, two schools that appear to offer a curriculum which is not in compliance with the physical therapy curriculum requirements."
The board heard presentations from representatives of Sherman and Life at a meeting in late September. "The board voted to direct staff to evaluate all currently approved chiropractic colleges for compliance with the physical therapy curriculum requirement," explained Ms. Ware. The board has directed the staff to work with the board's legal counsel to "prepare a bill of particulars, delineating deficiencies for any college found to be not in compliance with the requirements."
Any bill of particulars that is drafted will be reviewed by the board and considered for approval at the next regularly scheduled public board meeting.
"... We are preparing now to provide each college with an application for continued board approval. A completed application will provide the board with current information on PT curriculum, and any schools found to be deficient with regard to these requirements will be notified in the proper manner," specified Ms. Ware.
You can contact the office of the California board at: tel: (916) 263-5355 fax: (916) 263-5369
