- (a) The Arkansas State Board of Chiropractic Examiners may establish a chiropractic student preceptorship program with an approved chiropractic college to allow students in the final clinical phase of training to practice under the direct, on-site supervision of a chiropractor licensed in this state.
- (b) A student from a chiropractic college accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education is eligible to be involved in a chiropractic student preceptorship program.
(c) The board shall approve a chiropractic student preceptorship program if:
- (1) The chiropractic student preceptorship program meets standards for consumer protection as established by the Council on Chiropractic Education, as the standards existed on January 1, 2019;
- (2) The chiropractic student preceptorship program is an established component of the curriculum offered by a board-approved chiropractic college;
- (3) A chiropractic student who participates in the chiropractic student preceptorship program has met all requirements for graduation from the chiropractic college except for the completion of the chiropractic student preceptorship program;
- (4) The chiropractic college retains ultimate responsibility for student learning and evaluations during the chiropractic student preceptorship program;
- (5) A chiropractor serving as a preceptor in the chiropractic student preceptorship program shall supervise no more than one (1) chiropractic student for the duration of a given preceptorship period; and
(6)
- (A) The chiropractic college shall assign the chiropractic student to another chiropractor and notify the board of the preceptorship cancellation if a preceptor agreement is canceled for any reason.
- (B) The notification to the board shall include the reason for the cancellation of the preceptorship.
- (d) A chiropractic student preceptorship program is not considered approved by the board until the chiropractic college receives a written letter of approval from the board.
(e) A chiropractor who serves as a preceptor in the chiropractic student preceptorship program shall:
- (1) Have graduated from an institution that is accredited by a chiropractic accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or an equivalent international accrediting agency;
- (2) Apply to participate in the chiropractic student preceptorship program in writing on forms furnished by the board;
(3)
- (A) Carry malpractice insurance with a minimum liability limit of one million dollars ($1,000,0000) to three million dollars ($3,000,000).
- (B) In a federal facility, federal laws regarding malpractice and tort claims shall apply;
- (4) Have a full, unrestricted license for the practice of chiropractic in this state with a minimum of five (5) years of active practice of chiropractic in this or another state;
- (5) Not have any disciplinary actions filed with the board or with the licensure board of another state within the last five (5) years;
- (6) Not be on the exclusion list published by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General regarding exclusion from participation in federal healthcare programs such as Medicare; and
- (7) Have been approved for an adjunct faculty appointment to the chiropractic college approved by the board.
(f)
(1) A chiropractic student in the chiropractic student preceptorship program may:
- (A) Assist a chiropractor in the performance of duties that are lawful and ethical, including without limitation:
(i) Physical examinations;
(ii) Patient consultations;
(iii) X-ray examinations;
- (iv) Chiropractic manipulative therapy;
- (v) Physical therapeutics; and
- (vi) Other physician-level services as determined by the preceptor; and
(B)
- (i) Participate in the formation of a differential diagnosis and plan of care while under the supervision of the chiropractor.
- (ii) However, a chiropractic student shall not sign insurance forms or any forms that require the signature of a chiropractor.
(2)
- (A) All activities and duties performed by a chiropractic student shall be under the direct, on-site supervision of a chiropractor.
- (B) The chiropractor shall be liable for the care of the patients.
(3) A chiropractic student:
- (A) Shall wear facility-approved badges that identify the chiropractic student as a student; and
- (B) Shall not use the title "doctor".
- (4) A stipend may be offered by a facility to a chiropractic student for his or her services under the chiropractic student preceptorship program.