GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
1989 SESSION

CHAPTER 555
SENATE BILL 968

AN ACT TO CLARIFY THE SUBJECTS ABOUT WHICH A CHIROPRACTOR MAY TESTIFY AS AN EXPERT WITNESS AND TO MODIFY THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS PRIOR TO TESTING FOR A CHIROPRACTOR LICENSE.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  G.S. 90-157.2 reads as rewritten:
"§ 90-157.2.  Chiropractor as expert witness.
A Doctor of Chiropractic, for all legal purposes, shall be considered an expert in his field and, when properly qualified, may testify in a court of law as to:
(1)	The etiology, diagnosis, prognosis, and disability, including anatomical, neurological, physiological, and pathological considerations within the scope of chiropractic, as defined in G.S. 90-151; and
(2)	The physiological dynamics of contiguous spinal structures which can cause neurological disturbances, the chiropractic procedure preparatory to, and complementary to the correction thereof, by an adjustment of the articulations of the vertebral column and other articulations."
Sec. 2.  G.S. 90-143 reads as rewritten:
"§ 90-143.  Definitions of chiropractic; examinations; educational requirements.
(a)	'Chiropractic' is herein defined to be the science of adjusting the cause of disease by realigning the spine, releasing pressure on nerves radiating from the spine to all parts of the body, and allowing the nerves to carry their full quota of health current (nerve energy) from the brain to all parts of the body. 
(b)	It shall be the duty of the North Carolina State Board of Chiropractic Examiners (hereinafter referred to as 'Board') to examine for license to practice chiropractic every applicant who complies with the following provisions:
(1)	Furnishes proof of good moral character;
(2)	Satisfies the Board that the applicant has completed two years of prechiropractic college education and received credits for a minimum of 60 semester hours; and
(3)	Satisfies the Board that the applicant can, within 60 days of the date of examination exhibit a diploma or furnish proof of graduation from a chiropractic college accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education or holding recognized candidate for accreditation status with the Council on Chiropractic Education or a college teaching chiropractic that, in the Board's opinion, meets the equivalent standards established by the Council on Chiropractic Education, requiring an attendance of not less than four academic years, and supplying such facilities for clinical and scientific instruction, as shall meet the approval of the Board.  Provided, however, no license shall be issued until an applicant furnishes a diploma or proof of graduation, from an accredited chiropractic college, that meets the approval of the Board.
The examination shall include, but not be limited to, the following studies:  Neurology, chemistry, pathology, anatomy, histology, physiology, embryology, dermatology, diagnosis, microscopy, gynecology, hygiene, eye, ear, nose and throat, orthopody, diagnostic radiology, jurisprudence, palpation, nerve tracing, chiropractic philosophy, theory, teaching and practice of chiropractic."
Sec. 3.  G.S. 90-143 reads as rewritten:
"§ 90-143.  Definitions of chiropractic; examinations; educational requirements.
(a)	'Chiropractic' is herein defined to be the science of adjusting the cause of disease by realigning the spine, releasing pressure on nerves radiating from the spine to all parts of the body, and allowing the nerves to carry their full quota of health current (nerve energy) from the brain to all parts of the body. 
(b)	It shall be the duty of the North Carolina State Board of Chiropractic Examiners (hereinafter referred to as 'Board') to examine for license to practice chiropractic every applicant who complies with the following provisions:
(1)	Furnishes proof of good moral character;
(2)	Satisfies the Board that the applicant has received a baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accreditation body recognized by the United States Department of Education; and
(3)	Satisfies the Board that the applicant can, within 60 days of the date of examination exhibit a diploma or furnish proof of graduation from a chiropractic college accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education or holding recognized candidate for accreditation status with the Council on Chiropractic Education or a college teaching chiropractic that, in the Board's opinion, meets the equivalent standards established by the Council on Chiropractic Education, requiring an attendance of not less than four academic years, and supplying such facilities for clinical and scientific instruction, as shall meet the approval of the Board.  Provided, however, no license shall be issued until an applicant furnishes a diploma or proof of graduation, from an accredited chiropractic college, that meets the approval of the Board.
The examination shall include, but not be limited to, the following studies: neurology, chemistry, pathology, anatomy, histology, physiology, embryology, dermatology, diagnosis, microscopy, gynecology, hygiene, eye, ear, nose and throat, orthopody, diagnostic radiology, jurisprudence, palpation, nerve tracing, chiropractic philosophy, theory, teaching and practice of chiropractic."
Sec. 4.  This act is effective upon ratification.  Section 2 of this act shall expire on July 1, 1993.  Section 3 of this act shall become effective July 1, 1993.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 4th day of July, 1989.