I am in favor of requiring a Bachelor's degree prior to matriculating into a chiropractic college. It is a movement that is gathering steam nationwide. Nine states already have this requirement. One of the chiropractic universities also currently has this requirement. When more states pass this regulation, the colleges will be forced into making it a pre-requisite for matriculation.

I have heard and understand all of the arguments against this regulation. I know that technically speaking, MD's and osteopaths only have to meet prerequisites in catalog, but I think it is almost universal to say that most MD's and osteopaths have there bachelor's degree.

I think that this requirement will raise the standards of all students at chiropractic schools. With these more highly educated students, there will be much more critical thinking and an advancement of our profession.

Jefferson K. Teass, D.C.

College of William and Mary B.A. '77

As a practicing chiropractor, I support this request for rule change to increase the educational requirement for future chiropractors coming to the Commonwealth of Virginia.  First, many of the mid-atlantic states have already raised their state's requirement to a 4 year degree prior to matriculation into chiropractic college.  Their goal is to have the best trained chiropractors coming to their states.  The requiremnt does not go into effect until 2010 which does not effect anyone already in the program.  The regulation would not effect anyone already licensed in another state who wishes to come to Virginia, as long as they meet the current licensure requirements.  The national accrediting agency (CCE) is looking to implament this requirement sometime in the future but is having difficulty because of pressure from chiropractic colleges who fear their student pool will shrink if states require a 4 year degree prior to matriculation.  Though more education does not necessarily mean a better doctor, history shows us that by raising educational requirements, our institutions raise their standards and the public benefits in the long run.

Again, I support the request for increasing the educational requirements for future chiropractors coming to Virginia.

William R. Thesier, DC

I am a practicing chiropractor and have been in Virginia for 30 years.  I have also been actively involved in teaching chiropractic continuing education with 7 of the chiropractic colleges for 25 years.  I would like to encourage the BOM to adopt regulation requiring a BS/BA degree in addition to a DC degree for licensure.  This is the evolving standard in all adjacent mid-atlantic states as well as throughout the United States.  It is important at this point to ensure adequate levels of education for health care professionals so that they may function in the increasingly evidence based and scientifically sophisticated enviornment.  The proposed regulation is not intended to unfairly restrict licensure and has an implimentation structure that would not impose new requirements on any current chiropractic program students.

Scott D. Banks, DC

Cape Charles, VA

I have already commented once, but I thought that this paragraph taken from Palmer College's Website was relevant. They tell prospective student's that a Bachelor's degree is recommended. The statement is as follows---

"Please note: Individual licensing boards may require additional education prior to entering a chiropractic college. Florida, Kansas, Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Tennessee, West Virginia, Wisconsis, and the United States Virgin islands require a Bachelor degree in order to be certified. Although it is not a prerequisite for Admission, Palmer College of Chiropractic recommends students complete a Bachelors degree prior to entering the D. C. program. It is imperative that you confirm all information with the licensing board of the state, province or country in which you desire to be licensed."

Jeff Teass, D.C.

I would like to encourage the Board of Medicine to approve the Petition for Rule Change requiring that a candidate hold a Bachelor's Degree in order to obtain Chiropractic licensure within the Commonwealth of Virginia. This requirement is gradually being adopted by other licensing boards throughout the United States thus helping to ensure that adequate levels of training are obtained by candidates to the ultimate benefit of the patients that we all serve.

The adoption of this regulation would elevate the requirements for Chiropractic licensure in Virginia so that it is consistent with those requirements of our neighboring states all of whom already have this stipulation in place. Furthemore, the delayed implementation of this regulation would ensure that those who are currently in training would not be affected by this change.

William B. Ward, DC, CCSP

Fredericksburg, VA