I am writing in strong support of the petition to amend 18VAC85-20-235 to remove the clinical continuing education hour requirement and to require that 24 of the 30 annual chiropractic CEU hours be completed in person, face-to-face.

Chiropractic is a profession rooted in hands-on, patient-centered care, and our continuing education should reflect that. In-person education fosters true professional growth through live demonstration, peer-to-peer dialogue, and real-time feedback—experiences that cannot be replicated online. These face-to-face interactions strengthen our clinical skills, keep us connected to the latest best practices, and reinforce the sense of community that sustains our profession.

Equally important, removing the “clinical” requirement gives chiropractors greater flexibility to pursue the education most relevant to their practice. Every chiropractor serves patients in unique ways—whether through technique, integrative approaches, nutrition, or other supportive disciplines. By eliminating the restrictive “clinical” designation, the Board will empower doctors of chiropractic to select continuing education that is meaningful to their patient populations while still maintaining high standards of professional excellence. This flexibility allows our field to stay innovative, responsive, and aligned with patient needs rather than being limited by arbitrary categories.

This amendment not only protects patients by strengthening practitioner competence, but also supports the growth and vitality of the chiropractic profession in Virginia. I urge the Board to adopt these changes so we may continue to advance in a way that is both patient-focused and professionally adaptive.

Respectfully submitted,
Ainsley Hendon Flynn, DC