Chiropractic License Renewal (FAQ)

 

Every other year, our inbox fills up with questions about continuing education and chiropractic license renewal. We’ve compiled the following answers to the most common questions. If you do not find your answer, please feel free to contact us and we’ll add it to the page,

You also might consider reaching out directly to the OPLC customer service line, or contacting the New Hampshire Board of Chiropractic Examiners at chiropractic.board@oplc.nh.gov. Additionally, you can visit sections 404 and 405 of the Board of Chiropractic Examiners Laws and Rules for all rules regarding relicensure and continuing education. 

 

How do I renew my New Hampshire chiropractic license?

Renewal can be completed online at NH’s Online Licensing. You will receive an automatic email from the licensing office at least two months prior to your license expiration, sent to the email you supplied the office. In the online portal, you will upload PDF files of your CEU certificates, and pay online.

How much does it cost to renew a chiropractic license in New Hampshire?

License renewal costs $300. This is paid as part of the electronic renewal process by credit or debit card.

When do I need to renew my NH chiropractic license?

For most currently licensed chiropractors, license renewal occurs on odd-numbered years, meaning licenses are renewed on a two-year cycle. Continuing education documentation and payment should be received by the Office of Professional Licensure by June 30th. Licenses expire on July 1st.

If you are a new licensee as of or following February 2023, your license will expire two years from the date of issuance, on the last day of the month in the month the license was issued.

Individual exceptions may apply. We encourage you to verify your own license expiration date through New Hampshire Online Licensing. 

How many continuing education credits do NH chiropractors need for license renewal?

In New Hampshire, chiropractors are required to complete 20 hours of continuing education per cycle, approved by the Board of Chiropractic Examiners via the Office of Professional Licensure.

Get started with your license renewal here.

How much online/remote education can be accepted for license renewal?

Prior to 2020, NH chiropractors were permitted to take up to 25% (5 hours) of their continuing education via remote education.

Currently, rules state that hours of electronic participation shall constitute no more than 50% (10 hours) of the total hours of required continuing education, unless an individual must complete the entirety of their continuing education virtually as a result of a disability. 

How do online hours work? Is there a quiz associated?

The Board of Chiropractic Examiners requires that New Hampshire licensees participating in electronic continuing education complete an assessment and score 80% or higher. Assessments are typically just intended to make sure that you were present and paying attention. 

What courses are accepted for credit?

Valid continuing education courses include those that are approved by: The International Chiropractors Association; The American Chiropractic Association; Any state-chartered chiropractic school or college; or Providers of Approved Continuing Education (PACE).

Other allowed course included: Courses the at pre-approved by the Board of Chiropractic Examiners; Emergency and first aid courses sponsored by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association, provided that no more than 4 hours shall be credited; and courses on certain allowed topics sponsored by a school or college accredited by CCE or any other national or regional accrediting agency approved by the United States Department of Education.

Telehealth Considerations for New Hampshire Chiropractors

Despite our essential business status, physical distancing strategies decrease demand for chiropractors’ hands-on treatment as people try to stay home more. However, we are able to apply our broad knowledge and skill sets to continue serving the people of NH, even when they aren’t able to reach our offices. Telehealth provides an opportunity to reach people in their homes.

screenshot from Doxy.me visit

Patient and provider connect by video in a telehealth appointment

There are a broad array of services available for telehealth consults. To hit the ground running, choose one that is affordable and simple to use for you and patients. Free options include Doxy.me, and other options ranging from Google Meet at $12/mo or VSee at $50/mo, to ExamMed and Zoom for Healthcare at $200/mo. The cloud-based EHR Jane, which is popular among chiropractors, integrated a telehealth feature in March in response to increased demand, and we will see this market continue to grow.

Each of the options listed above is HIPAA compliant. However, the US Department of Health and Human Services announced that during the emergency period they have relaxed HIPAA restrictions around remote consults. They are prioritizing getting care to patients, so they’ll honor our good-faith attempts to provide quality care, even if that means using more informal services like FaceTime, Skype, Messenger or Hangouts. In NH, emergency order #8 also interpreted the use of audio-only phone consults as valid telehealth service.

You should also know about billing and regulations. Medicare only covers manipulation codes, so we are excluded from telehealth reimbursement. NH Medicaid plans mostly exclude service from chiropractors, but plans that allow chiropractic are currently expected reimburse for telehealth under emergency order #8. Private insurance plans are expected to reimburse for telehealth consults and guided rehab at the same rate as in-office care, though this may vary. According to ChiroCode, E/M codes will be used most frequently, with level based on time and coded with a -95 modifier. You should brush up on this documentation and coding at the ChiroCode website. Additionally, VP Pence has also encouraged states to create temporary avenues for interstate telehealth, a situation we will continue to monitor.