S2041

An Act concerning training for students in chiropractic medicine and supplementing P.L.1953, c.233 (C.45:9-41.4 et al.).

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. As used in this act:

“Board” means the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners.

“Direct supervision” means the following, to be provided on-premises: initial and ongoing direction, procedural guidance, observation, and evaluation by the State-licensed chiropractor who is the preceptor to a student in chiropractic medicine participating in a preceptorship.

“Preceptor” means a New Jersey-licensed chiropractor approved by the board to provide direct supervision of a student.

“Preceptorship” means a clinical program in which a student in the final year or final two semesters of a school, institution, or college of chiropractic participates in the practice of chiropractic medicine under the direct supervision of a New Jersey-licensed chiropractor.

“Student” means an individual in the final year or final two semesters of a school, institution, or college of chiropractic.

2. a. The board shall establish, by rule or regulation, requirements of preceptorships for students, which shall address, without limitation:

(1) training and experience requirements for preceptors;

(2) direct supervision;

(3) the scope of practice for students holding a limited license; and

(4) provisions of P.L.1953, c.233 (C.45:9-41.4 et al.) that shall apply to students seeking a limited license to participate in a preceptorship.

b. A student may apply to the board for participation in a preceptorship with a State-licensed chiropractor approved, as determined by the board, to be a preceptor.

c. To participate in a preceptorship, a student shall submit an application, as prescribed by the board, for a limited license, which includes:

(1) an attestation that demonstrates the student is in good academic standing;

(2) payment of a non-refundable fee; and

(3) passage of a criminal background check.

d. The school, institution, or college of chiropractic in which the student seeking participation in a preceptorship is enrolled shall be approved by the board pursuant to section 9 of P.L.1953, c.233 (C.45:9-41.6).

e. A limited license for participation in a preceptorship shall expire upon graduation or withdrawal from the chiropractic program in which the limited licensee is enrolled.

3. The board shall adopt rules and regulations, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act.

4. This act shall take effect on the first day of the 13th month next following the date of enactment.

STATEMENT

This bill requires the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners (the “board”) to allow for preceptorships for students in the final year or final two semesters of a program in chiropractic medicine. “Preceptorship” is defined in the bill to mean a clinical program in which a student participates in the practice of chiropractic medicine under the direct supervision of a New Jersey-licensed chiropractor. The board is to approve the State-licensed chiropractors who can act as preceptors for students. Additionally, the school, institution, or college of chiropractic in which the student is enrolled is to be approved by the board pursuant to current law.

Under the bill, a student seeking to participate in a preceptorship is to apply to the board for a limited license. A criminal background check is required as part of the application process. The limited license is not to be renewed upon graduation or withdrawal from the chiropractic program in which the limited licensee is enrolled. The bill authorizes the board to promulgate rules and regulations addressing: (1) training and experience requirements for preceptors; (2) direct supervision; (3) the scope of practice for students holding a limited license; and (4) what provisions of current law regulating chiropractors applies to students in preceptorships.

The bill aims to retain graduates of programs of chiropractic medicine based in New Jersey to work as licensed chiropractors in the State.