Florida Chiropractic Laws and Rules | Florida
Board of Chiropractic Medicine | Academic
Year 2026/27
SECTION I: FLORIDA STATUTES CHAPTER 460 – CHIROPRACTIC MEDICINE
1. Under Florida Statute Chapter 460, what is the sole legislative purpose for
regulating the practice of chiropractic medicine?
A) To generate licensing revenue for the Department of Health
B) To ensure practitioners meet minimum competency requirements and protect
the public health, safety, and welfare
C) To promote chiropractic medicine over other health professions
D) To restrict out-of-state competition and protect Florida practitioners
Correct Answer: B
B
Rationale: Florida Statute 460.401 clearly states that the sole legislative
purpose in enacting the chiropractic medicine practice act is to ensure that every
chiropractic physician practicing in Florida meets minimum requirements for safe
practice. The Legislature finds that chiropractic physicians who fall below
minimum competency or who otherwise present a danger to the public shall be
prohibited from practicing in Florida. This is consistent with the general health
professions policy in Chapter 456.
2. How many members serve on the Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine, and
how are they appointed?
A) 5 members; appointed by the Florida Chiropractic Association
B) 7 members (5 licensed chiropractic physicians, 2 consumer lay members);
appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate
,C) 9 members; appointed by the Department of Health Secretary
D) 7 members; all must be licensed chiropractic physicians
Correct Answer: B
B
Rationale: Under Florida Statute 460.404, the Board of Chiropractic
Medicine consists of seven members appointed by the Governor and confirmed
by the Senate. Five members must be licensed Florida chiropractic physicians in
good standing, and two members must be lay consumers who are not connected
with the chiropractic profession. This composition ensures both professional
expertise and public representation on the Board.
3. Under Florida Statute 460.403, which of the following activities is explicitly
WITHIN the scope of chiropractic practice in Florida?
A) Prescribing Schedule III controlled substances for acute musculoskeletal pain
B) Performing surgical laminectomy for spinal stenosis
C) Administering general anesthesia during procedures
D) Using physical therapeutic modalities such as ultrasound and electrical muscle
stimulation
Correct Answer: D
D
Rationale: Florida Statute 460.403(9)(c) defines chiropractic practice as
including the use of physical means and physiotherapy, including light, heat,
water, or exercise. Chiropractic physicians are expressly prohibited from
prescribing legend drugs (except as authorized), performing surgery, and
practicing obstetrics. General anesthesia is not within the scope of chiropractic
practice.
4. A Florida-licensed chiropractor is convicted of a third-degree felony related to
insurance fraud involving a separate business venture. Under FS 460.413(1)(a),
what is the effect on the chiropractor's license?
,A) No effect — only practice-related felonies trigger discipline
B) The license is automatically suspended upon the Board receiving a certified
copy of the conviction
C) The Board may take disciplinary action, including suspension or revocation
D) The conviction must be reported within 30 days, but no discipline is authorized
Correct Answer: C
C
Rationale: Florida Statute 460.413(1)(a) provides grounds for disciplinary
action when a licensee is convicted of a felony, regardless of whether the felony
relates to the practice of chiropractic. The Board has authority to impose
penalties including suspension, revocation, or restriction of the license. This
reflects the principle that felony convictions demonstrate a lack of fitness for
practice.
5. Which of the following is NOT a permitted method of chiropractic treatment
under Florida law?
A) Manual manipulation of the spine
B) Mechanical traction
C) Prescribing oral antibiotics for an infection
D) Application of heat and cold therapy
Correct Answer: C
C
Rationale: Florida Statute 460.403(9)(c)1 expressly prohibits chiropractic
physicians from prescribing or administering legend drugs, except for specific
authorized substances (sterile substances by injection if certified, emergency
oxygen, and certain topical anesthetics in aerosol form). Prescribing oral
antibiotics is outside the scope of chiropractic practice and constitutes grounds
for discipline.
, 6. A chiropractor wishes to advertise that they are a "board-certified
chiropractic neurologist." Under Florida law, this is:
A) Prohibited because chiropractors cannot claim board certification
B) Permitted if the certification is from a board recognized by the Florida Board of
Chiropractic Medicine
C) Permitted only if approved by the Florida Chiropractic Association
D) Prohibited unless the chiropractor also holds a medical license
Correct Answer: B
B
Rationale: The Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine permits a
chiropractor to advertise diplomate status in a chiropractic specialty area
recognized by the Board. Recognized specialties include those recognized by the
Councils of the American Chiropractic Association, the International Chiropractic
Association, the International Academy of Clinical Neurology, or the International
Chiropractic Pediatric Association. The key is that the certifying body must be
Board-recognized.
7. Under FS 460.403, what is the definition of "chiropractic medicine"?
A) The diagnosis and treatment of disease by manual manipulation only
B) The adjustment or manipulation of the human body by manual, mechanical,
electrical, or natural methods
C) The practice of alternative medicine including herbal prescription
D) The treatment of musculoskeletal conditions exclusively by physical therapy
Correct Answer: B
B
Rationale: Florida Statute 460.403 defines chiropractic medicine as the
adjustment, manipulation, or treatment of the human body by manual,
mechanical, electrical, or natural methods; by physical means or physiotherapy;
by acupuncture (if certified); by dry needling (if certified); or by the administration
Board of Chiropractic Medicine | Academic
Year 2026/27
SECTION I: FLORIDA STATUTES CHAPTER 460 – CHIROPRACTIC MEDICINE
1. Under Florida Statute Chapter 460, what is the sole legislative purpose for
regulating the practice of chiropractic medicine?
A) To generate licensing revenue for the Department of Health
B) To ensure practitioners meet minimum competency requirements and protect
the public health, safety, and welfare
C) To promote chiropractic medicine over other health professions
D) To restrict out-of-state competition and protect Florida practitioners
Correct Answer: B
B
Rationale: Florida Statute 460.401 clearly states that the sole legislative
purpose in enacting the chiropractic medicine practice act is to ensure that every
chiropractic physician practicing in Florida meets minimum requirements for safe
practice. The Legislature finds that chiropractic physicians who fall below
minimum competency or who otherwise present a danger to the public shall be
prohibited from practicing in Florida. This is consistent with the general health
professions policy in Chapter 456.
2. How many members serve on the Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine, and
how are they appointed?
A) 5 members; appointed by the Florida Chiropractic Association
B) 7 members (5 licensed chiropractic physicians, 2 consumer lay members);
appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate
,C) 9 members; appointed by the Department of Health Secretary
D) 7 members; all must be licensed chiropractic physicians
Correct Answer: B
B
Rationale: Under Florida Statute 460.404, the Board of Chiropractic
Medicine consists of seven members appointed by the Governor and confirmed
by the Senate. Five members must be licensed Florida chiropractic physicians in
good standing, and two members must be lay consumers who are not connected
with the chiropractic profession. This composition ensures both professional
expertise and public representation on the Board.
3. Under Florida Statute 460.403, which of the following activities is explicitly
WITHIN the scope of chiropractic practice in Florida?
A) Prescribing Schedule III controlled substances for acute musculoskeletal pain
B) Performing surgical laminectomy for spinal stenosis
C) Administering general anesthesia during procedures
D) Using physical therapeutic modalities such as ultrasound and electrical muscle
stimulation
Correct Answer: D
D
Rationale: Florida Statute 460.403(9)(c) defines chiropractic practice as
including the use of physical means and physiotherapy, including light, heat,
water, or exercise. Chiropractic physicians are expressly prohibited from
prescribing legend drugs (except as authorized), performing surgery, and
practicing obstetrics. General anesthesia is not within the scope of chiropractic
practice.
4. A Florida-licensed chiropractor is convicted of a third-degree felony related to
insurance fraud involving a separate business venture. Under FS 460.413(1)(a),
what is the effect on the chiropractor's license?
,A) No effect — only practice-related felonies trigger discipline
B) The license is automatically suspended upon the Board receiving a certified
copy of the conviction
C) The Board may take disciplinary action, including suspension or revocation
D) The conviction must be reported within 30 days, but no discipline is authorized
Correct Answer: C
C
Rationale: Florida Statute 460.413(1)(a) provides grounds for disciplinary
action when a licensee is convicted of a felony, regardless of whether the felony
relates to the practice of chiropractic. The Board has authority to impose
penalties including suspension, revocation, or restriction of the license. This
reflects the principle that felony convictions demonstrate a lack of fitness for
practice.
5. Which of the following is NOT a permitted method of chiropractic treatment
under Florida law?
A) Manual manipulation of the spine
B) Mechanical traction
C) Prescribing oral antibiotics for an infection
D) Application of heat and cold therapy
Correct Answer: C
C
Rationale: Florida Statute 460.403(9)(c)1 expressly prohibits chiropractic
physicians from prescribing or administering legend drugs, except for specific
authorized substances (sterile substances by injection if certified, emergency
oxygen, and certain topical anesthetics in aerosol form). Prescribing oral
antibiotics is outside the scope of chiropractic practice and constitutes grounds
for discipline.
, 6. A chiropractor wishes to advertise that they are a "board-certified
chiropractic neurologist." Under Florida law, this is:
A) Prohibited because chiropractors cannot claim board certification
B) Permitted if the certification is from a board recognized by the Florida Board of
Chiropractic Medicine
C) Permitted only if approved by the Florida Chiropractic Association
D) Prohibited unless the chiropractor also holds a medical license
Correct Answer: B
B
Rationale: The Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine permits a
chiropractor to advertise diplomate status in a chiropractic specialty area
recognized by the Board. Recognized specialties include those recognized by the
Councils of the American Chiropractic Association, the International Chiropractic
Association, the International Academy of Clinical Neurology, or the International
Chiropractic Pediatric Association. The key is that the certifying body must be
Board-recognized.
7. Under FS 460.403, what is the definition of "chiropractic medicine"?
A) The diagnosis and treatment of disease by manual manipulation only
B) The adjustment or manipulation of the human body by manual, mechanical,
electrical, or natural methods
C) The practice of alternative medicine including herbal prescription
D) The treatment of musculoskeletal conditions exclusively by physical therapy
Correct Answer: B
B
Rationale: Florida Statute 460.403 defines chiropractic medicine as the
adjustment, manipulation, or treatment of the human body by manual,
mechanical, electrical, or natural methods; by physical means or physiotherapy;
by acupuncture (if certified); by dry needling (if certified); or by the administration
