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State ef Je,inessee
PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 304
SENATE BILL NO. 128
By Bailey, Bowling, Hatcher
Substituted for: House Bill No. 164
By Marsh, White, Sherrell, Hale, Brock Martin
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Title 63, relative to professions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-4-101 (a)(1 ), is amended by adding the
following language as a new subdivision:
( ) "Animal chiropractic":
(i) Means the evaluation and treatment of a non-human's vertebral or extremity
joint dysfunction through spinal, joint, or musculoskeletal manipulative therapy and soft
tissue therapy; and
(ii) Does not include:
(a) Performing surgery;
(b) Dispensing or administering of medications; or
(c) Performing veterinary medicine, as defined in § 63-12-103, other
than the evaluation and treatment of a non-human's vertebral or extremity joint
dysfunction through spinal, joint, or musculoskeletal manipulative therapy and
soft tissue therapy;
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 63, Chapter 4, Part 1, is amended by adding
the following as a new section:
(a) The board shall adopt rules, pursuant to the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act,
compiled in title 4, chapter 5, for:
(1) Regulating the performance of animal chiropractic;
(2) Establishing educational standards for certification of a chiropractic
physician to perform animal chiropractic. The educational standards must include
obtaining a certificate in animal chiropractic from the American Veterinary Chiropractic
Association, or a similar curriculum approved by the board of chiropractic examiners;
and
(3) Establishing health and sanitation standards for a facility where a
chiropractic physician performs animal chiropractic and human patients are treated.
(b) A chiropractic physician may apply to the board for certification to perform animal
chiropractic. An applicant for certification must:
(1) Provide the board with proof, satisfactory to the board, that the applicant
meets the educational standards e~tablished pursuant to subdivision (a)(2); and
(2) Meet a·ny other requirements for certification established by the board
pursuant to subdivision (a)(1 ).
SB 128
(c) The board shall maintain on its website a list of chiropractic physicians who are
certified in good standing to perform animal chiropractic.
SECTION 3. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-4-112(c)(3), is amended by deleting
the subdivision and substituting:
(3) The minimum number of hours of required continuing education is at least twelve
(12) hours in any calendar year; provided, that, in addition to the chiropractic education
required pursuant to subdivision (c)(2), a chiropractic physician who is certified to perform
animal chiropractic shall annually complete a minimum of six (6) additional hours of
continuing education in animal chiropractic that are approved by the board.
SECTION 4. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-4-122, is amended by adding the
following as a new subsection:
(c)(1) Except as provided in subdivision (c)(2), it is a violation of this chapter for a
person or business entity to advertise that the person or business entity provides
chiropractic care, chiropractic services, or chiropractic therapy unless that care,
service, or therapy is provided by or under the direction of a licensed chiropractic
physician.
(2) It is not a violation of this chapter for a person who is licensed to practice
veterinary medicine under chapter 12, part 1 of this title, and who holds a current
certification from the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association or the International
Veterinary Chiropractic Association, to represent or advertise that the person is
certified to provide animal chiropractic.
(3) This subsection (c) does not restrict a person licensed or certified under
this title, or other law, from engaging in the profession for which that person is
licensed or certified; provided, the person does not advertise that the person is a
chiropractic physician or a provider of chiropractic care, services, or therapy.
SECTION 5. For the purpose of promulgating rules, this act takes effect upon becoming a
law, the public welfare requiring it. For all other purposes, this act takes take effect January 1, 2026,
the public welfare requiring it.
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SENATE BILL NO. 128
PASSED: April 16, 2025
R~l., 'M.-. ~~\._.
\ RANDY MclALLY
SPEAKER OF THE SENATE
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CAMESCtt-sEXTON, SPEAKER
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APPROVED this ;;;.(Vtu1 ~ 2025
day of
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