The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) has signed a long-term agreement with the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB), reaffirming a half-century commitment to supporting chiropractic regulatory boards. Under terms of the agreement, the NBCE will contribute an estimated 5 percent of its annual testing revenue to the federation over the next 25 years.
"This is an historic occasion and makes a clear statement of support by the NBCE for the licensing boards that entrust us with their examination needs," said NBCE President Dr. Vernon Temple. "This agreement has been carefully crafted to ensure the long-term health and stability of both organizations."
"The joint commitment is for 25 years, and is based generally on a contribution of five percent of the NBCE's revenue generated by chiropractic testing," Dr. Temple stated. "The first two years are specifically set at $500,000 per year, and future years will rise or fall with the National Board's income. This frees both organizations from a long history of unpredictable budgets and will allow the NBCE to focus our efforts on quality examination services to support the chiropractic regulatory boards in the U.S. and internationally."
Added Dr. Oliver "Bud" Smith Jr., FCLB president: "The importance of the Federation's cost-effective structure of shared resources and proactive regulatory solutions has never been more critical. NBCE's support of the FCLB and licensing boards speaks volumes about the depth of their commitment to public safety that depends on ethical and skilled doctors of chiropractic."
The national board and the federation have a long history of mutual support. In an interview with DC in 2000,1 Dr. Temple explained the relationship between the two organizations: "In 1962, the Federation proposed the creation of an independent testing organization for the chiropractic profession. This was in response to a number of legislative efforts in some states to force chiropractors to take medical board examinations for licensure. ... Not only was the NBCE created by the Federation's member licensing boards, but both Parts III and IV were also developed at the request of the state boards, through resolutions introduced and passed at FCLB annual meetings."
According to Dr. Temple, national board funding helps provide the federation with the ability to promote good regulatory service. The federation is able to focus on teaching member boards how to better protect the public, and providing networked resources for problem-solving including fair testing, more uniform disciplinary processes, better mobility for practitioners through uniform credentials, and quality educational standards.
Reference
- What Does the FCLB Have to Do With the NBCE? Dynamic Chiropractic, March 20, 2008. www.dynamicchiropractic.com.
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