2023 Oklahoma Statutes
Title 59. Professions and Occupations
§59-161.7. Application for original license by examination – Definitions.

A. 1. Applications for an original license by examination to practice chiropractic in this state shall be made to the Board of Chiropractic Examiners in writing on a form and in a manner prescribed by the Board.

2. The application shall be accompanied by a fee of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00), which shall not be refundable under any circumstances.

3. If the application is disapproved by the Board, the applicant shall be so notified by the Executive Director, with the reason for such disapproval fully stated in writing.

4. If the application is approved, the applicant may take an examination administered by the Board for the purpose of securing an original license. The Board may accept a passing score on an examination administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners taken by the applicant or may require the applicant to take an examination administered by the Board or both.

5. Prior to approval of an application, the Board may authorize the Executive Director to issue a temporary license to an applicant who has submitted a completed application and who, upon payment of the examination fee, has passed the required examination with a score acceptable to the Board. A temporary license shall authorize the applicant to practice chiropractic in Oklahoma between the submission of the application and the applicant's approval for licensure by the Board. A temporary license shall expire upon the Board's approval of a permanent license or ten (10) calendar days following the Board's denial of an application for a permanent license.

B. Applicants for an original license to practice chiropractic in this state shall submit to the Board of Chiropractic Examiners documentary evidence of completion of:

1. A course of resident study of not less than four (4) years of nine (9) months each in an accredited chiropractic college. A senior student at an accredited chiropractic college may make application for an original license by examination prior to graduation, but such a license shall not be issued until documentary evidence of the graduation of the student from the college has been submitted to the Board;

2. Parts I, II, III, IV and physiotherapy as administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners with a passing score; and

3. Passing a jurisprudence examination approved by the Board with a score of seventy-five percent (75%) or better.

C. Each applicant shall be a graduate of an accredited chiropractic college. For those graduating from a chiropractic program outside the United States, the applicants must have completed an educational program leading to a degree in chiropractic from an institution authorized to operate by the government having jurisdiction in which it is domiciled.

D. All credentials, diplomas, and other required documentation in a foreign language submitted to the Board by such applicants shall be accompanied by notarized English translations.

E. International applicants shall provide satisfactory evidence of meeting the requirements for permanent residence or temporary nonimmigrant status as set forth by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

F. Effective January 1, 2006, out-of-state licensed applicants shall submit to the Board documentary evidence that the applicant has malpractice insurance. New applicants shall submit to the Board documentary evidence that the applicant has malpractice insurance within six (6) months of obtaining their Oklahoma license.

G. An applicant for an original license shall:

1. Inform the Board as to whether the person has previously been licensed in Oklahoma and whether the license was revoked or surrendered;

2. Inform the Board as to whether the applicant has ever been licensed in another jurisdiction and whether any disciplinary action was taken against the applicant;

3. Provide full disclosure to the Board of any criminal proceeding taken against the applicant including, but not limited to, pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, receiving a deferred sentence for, or being convicted of a felony crime that substantially relates to the practice of chiropractic and poses a reasonable threat to public safety; and

4. If requested, appear before the Board for a personal interview.

H. No later than one (1) year after receiving a license to practice in Oklahoma, chiropractic physicians shall complete an orientation course of training approved by the Board. The orientation course hours shall count as continuing education credits for the year in which they were earned. An association may provide the orientation course of training.

I. The Board may issue an original license to those applicants who have passed the required examination with a score acceptable to the Board and who meet all other requirements set forth by the Board. No license fee shall be charged by the Board for the balance of the calendar year in which such a license is issued.

J. In addition to an applicant's failure to meet any other requirements imposed by this section or other applicable law, the Board may deny a license or impose probationary conditions if an applicant has:

1. Pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to, received a deferred sentence for, or been convicted of a felony crime that substantially relates to the practice of chiropractic and poses a reasonable threat to public safety;

2. Been the subject of disciplinary action by the Board; or

3. Been the subject of disciplinary action in another jurisdiction.

K. As used in this section:

1. "Substantially relates" means the nature of criminal conduct for which the person was convicted has a direct bearing on the fitness or ability to perform one or more of the duties or responsibilities necessarily related to the occupation; and

2. "Poses a reasonable threat" means the nature of criminal conduct for which the person was convicted involved an act or threat of harm against another and has a bearing on the fitness or ability to serve the public or work with others in the occupation.

Added by Laws 1921, c. 7, p. 13, § 3. Amended by Laws 1972, c. 250, § 2, emerg. eff. April 7, 1972; Laws 1982, c. 268, § 3, emerg. eff. May 14, 1982; Laws 1991, c. 265, § 7, eff. Oct. 1, 1991. Renumbered from § 163 of this title by Laws 1991, c. 265, § 22, eff. Oct. 1, 1991. Amended by Laws 1994, c. 390, § 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Laws 2004, c. 269, § 5, emerg. eff. May 6, 2004; Laws 2005, c. 149, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 2005; Laws 2009, c. 362, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2009; Laws 2015, c. 155, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2015; Laws 2018, c. 94, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2018; Laws 2019, c. 213, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 2019; Laws 2019, c. 363, § 8, eff. Nov. 1, 2019; Laws 2021, c. 169, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2021.