PURPOSE: This rule outlines the requirements for applying to the board for recognition of a specialty to include documentation required and information reviewed by the board in determining whether a practice area is a specialty.

1. (1) Any person or entity may submit an application to the board seeking recognition of a specialty area as authorized by section 331.030.9, RSMo.

   1. (A) For the purpose of this regulation a specialty shall consist of advanced education and/or training to be proficient in an area of practice and shall not include a technique of manipulation or treatment.

2. (2) An application for recognition of a specialty area shall be submitted on a form provided by the board and shall be accompanied by the required fee as defined in 20 CSR 2070-2.090. Within the application the following information and documentation shall be submitted:

   1. (A) Name and description of the specialty certification area;
   2. (B) Conditions and/or disorders to which the specialty area is directed;

   3. (C) Proof of acceptance of the specialty area by the chiropractic profession to include safety and efficacy of the specialty area.

      1. 1. For the purpose of this regulation the

board will consider articles from scholarly journals, treatises, textbooks used by boardapproved Council of Chiropractic Education (CCE) colleges of chiropractic, syllabi and/or curriculum materials used in education and training in the specialty area, and scholarly studies or research;

1. (D) Education and/or training requirements including how and where education may be obtained and whether education and/or training is provided from a postgraduate board-approved CCE chiropractic college;
2. (E) A statement describing why the specialty area does not exceed the scope of practice as defined in section 331.010, RSMo;
3. (F) Any examination or residency required; and
4. (G) Hours of continuing education to maintain the certification.

1. (3) The board shall review an application for recognition of a specialty area and require documentation to determine compliance with the following factors:

   1. (A) Whether the certification is for a specialty area, or for a technique;
   2. (B) Whether the specialty area is within the scope of practice of chiropractic as defined in section 331.010, RSMo;
   3. (C) Whether the specialty area is safe for its intended purpose(s);
   4. (D) Whether there are sufficient sources of accredited core and postgraduate education at board-approved CCE colleges of chiropractic; and
   5. (E) Whether recognition of a specialty area will create potential public confusion in the event the specialty area is already being commonly utilized by licensees.
2. (4) The applicant shall be responsible for providing all documents requested by the board and the applicant shall have the burden of demonstrating that the specialty area should be recognized by the board. A final determination of whether an area will by recognized as a specialty is within the sole discretion of the board.
3. (5) Upon approval of a specialty area, the board shall promulgate a regulation establishing the minimum initial and continuing education requirements, application fee, and documentation required for verification of compliance with all educational requirements.

4. (6) Licensees receiving board-approved specialty certification shall be entitled to use the terms “specialty” or “specializing in” on advertisements, letterhead, and signage. Any such specialty designate shall be preceded by the licensee’s name, and by one of the following:

   1. (A) D.C.;
   2. (B) Chiropractor;
   3. (C) Doctor of Chiropractic; or
   4. (D) Chiropractic Physician.
5. (7) Licensees shall be prohibited from using any term in any advertisement, letterhead, solicitation, or signage stating or suggesting that the licensee is certified in any specialty area, unless the board has approved the specialty area for certification and the licensee has met all requirements for certification thereunder.

AUTHORITY: section 331.030.9, RSMo Supp. 2006.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 70-2.032. Original rule filed April 1, 2005, effective Oct. 30, 2005. Moved to 20 CSR 2070-2.032, effective Aug. 28, 2006. Amended: Filed June 27, 2007, effective Jan. 30, 2008.

*Original authority: 331.030, RSMo 1939, amended 1945, 1947, 1949, 1969, 1981, 1988, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2004.