ICA Calls on State Chiropractic Licensing Boards to Help DCs Needing Temporary Licenses – Many Must Relocate From Storm Devastated Areas

The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) has called on all US state chiropractic licensing boards to use the full extent of their authority to assist doctors of chiropractic whose practices have been wiped out by the Hurricane Katrina disaster in obtaining temporary licenses so that they can re-establish their professional activities in new locations. In letters to all US state chiropractic licensing and regulatory boards, ICA President Dr. John K. Maltby told board members:

“As I'm sure you are aware many doctors of chiropractic have had their offices destroyed, or at least significantly damaged to the extent that they will be unable to open up for some time. In addition, the financial strain of being closed for an extended period may drive many of them out of business permanently. This will result in a shortage of chiropractic services even after the areas recover from this disaster.

The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) is requesting that every chiropractic state board initiate a program of temporary reciprocity for a one year period to allow displaced doctors of chiropractic to work as associates in facilities in other states. This will allow them to maintain some form of income and provide for their families while helping to ensure that they will be able to return to their home states and restart their practices in a year.

We realize that state laws will impose strict parameters on many aspects of such an effort. There may be circumstances where statutes may have to be altered to accommodate this request. We feel that with such a request coming from the Chiropractic State Board, the respective legislative bodies will react favorably and quickly in this time of crisis. We are also aware that state boards have a great deal of discretion and authority to address special needs, and it is our hope that no licensing body will hold back in the face of such urgent needs, created by circumstances beyond any doctor's control.”

First to act, recognizing the need to make extraordinary accommodations to serve and assist in this unprecedented disaster, the Governor of Virginia, The Hon. Mark Warner, has issued Executive Order 97, directing all possible assistance from his state for hurricane victims. Among the provisions of this order, was a section honoring ICA 's request. That provision states:

2. Authorization of the health regulatory boards within the Department of Health Professions to issue, under the direction of the Director of the Department and during the next 120 days, licenses, registrations, and certifications to practice in the Commonwealth, for a period not to exceed one year, to qualified health care practitioners who are displaced residents of Hurricane Katrina-affected states, who hold unrestricted licenses, registrations, or certifications in their resident states, and who may be unable to furnish or have furnished on their behalf complete documentation of their credentials and license status as otherwise required by Virginia law or regulation. The boards shall also have authority to defer the payment of licensing fees.

The Colorado Board of Chiropractic Examiners has also published an announcement of help to victims of Hurricane Katrina, stating: “We will provide a streamlined application process for those interested in relocating or working in Colorado within any of the professions or occupations licensed by our Division.” For more information on this important opportunity see the Colorado Board's website at http://www.dora.state.co.us/chiropractic/ .

“We at the ICA continue to be deeply concerned about the plight of so many of our professional colleagues in the stricken areas, and we will continue to work with the chiropractic organizations in the impacted states, as well as with any and all government and volunteer organizations, that may be able to help those in our professional community who have been hit so hard,” said ICA President Dr. John Maltby. “I want to express ICA 's deep gratitude for the efforts of the Colorado Board of Chiropractic Examiners and Virginia Governor Warner. Their leadership and unhesitating response to such an obvious need are shining examples we hope all states will follow in this crisis.”

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