Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has signed Assembly Bill 834, legislation repealing the requirement that DCs wishing to practice in Wisconsin score higher on Part III and Part IV of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) examination than is required in most other states. A summary of the bill specifies both the new and old scores needed for successful completion of Part III and Part IV of the exam:1
The legislation also features a grandfathering clause in that it "applies to an application for a license to practice as a chiropractor that the department of safety and professional services receives on the effective date of this subsection regardless of the dates on which the applicant took the parts of the examination administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners." [Emphasis added] In other words, chiropractors whose Part III and Part IV test scores fell below the Wisconsin-mandated scores, but met the NBCE minimum scores of 375 per part, are now eligible to practice legally within the state.2
The Wisconsin exam standards were unique in that while several other states require higher minimum passing scores on Part III or Part IV of the NBCE examination, Wisconsin was the only state to mandate higher scores on both parts of the exam.3 With the enactment of AB 834, Wisconsin DCs can earn the minimum scores on Part III and Part IV as stipulated by the NBCE.
Commenting on the legislative victory,4 Dr. Lona Cook, president of the Chiropractic Society of Wisconsin, stated: "I am very proud to welcome all of the young doctors to join us in Wisconsin. It was an honor for the CSW to champion the removal of both the "Wisconsin exam" and the subsequent higher NBCE scores that were unfairly keeping these very competent chiropractors from returning to their hometowns and families to practice."
"Our appreciation goes out to Senator Petrowski and Representative Kooyenga, who have worked tirelessly with the CSW since 2012 to allow chiropractors who have successfully passed the NBCE examinations and could practice in virtually every state other than Wisconsin to return to our great state," added CSW Immediate Past President, Dr. Dean Shepherd.
Life-Changing Legislation
The following comments were submitted by Wisconsin DCs who have been practicing outside the state because of the high exam score requirements and are now eligible to return:
Wisc. Gov. Scott Walker (center) at the bill signing, surrounded by members of the Chiropractic Society of Wisconsin and others. The legislation repeals the stiff NBCE Part III and IV score requirements.
"The passing of this legislation has impacted my future greatly. I have only ever dreamed of practicing chiropractic alongside my family in Wisconsin since I was a little girl. Growing up to graduate as the 19th chiropractor in my family, alongside my sister becoming the 20th, was no small feat. This journey through school has been challenging, and the added stress of the higher WI board scores was mentally and emotionally straining. This new legislation will make my dreams come true, practicing where I grew up in a business that has served our state for almost 100 years. I am so thankful for the passing of this new law not only for my sake, but for the many other chiropractors that want to make a difference in our state and stay close to family. This is truly a life-changing moment." — Dr. Amanda Berkley
"This bill is a game changer! It will allow me to fulfill the dream of opening a clinic in my hometown of Green Bay, WI. After two years of practicing at one of the busiest offices in Austin, TX, I'm excited to be back in Wisconsin and to finally be able to serve the community I was raised in. The previous, arbitrary board scores requirement in Wisconsin has been a nightmare for myself and countless other chiropractors who passed the National Board exams, but couldn't practice in WI. I'm incredibly thankful for the Chiropractic Society of Wisconsin and Dr. Steve Conway for tirelessly working to right this wrong, and for giving young doctors the opportunity to return home and serve their communities." — Dr. Cole Ward
"The passage of the new chiropractic legislation will be life changing. I emailed Dr. Conway this past summer, sharing my testimony and how the higher Wisconsin scores have impacted my family's lives and my own life. He shared my story with assembly members and senators – which ultimately lead them to sponsoring the bills. Retaking the boards to only try and achieve these arbitrary scores has caused significant monetary and time constraints. To retake these exams that we have all passed (according to NBCE and every other state's requirements), was very frustrating. I am now able to join a practice in the De Pere area, and allow financial freedom to my new family. When I initially wrote Dr. Conway, I was two months pregnant. Now I am blessed with a 1-month-old daughter and I am so thankful this legislation has gone through. Not only is it changing my life and that of my family, but I have also received so many messages from people across the U.S. asking if it's really true. If they can finally come back to Wisconsin and be with their families. It's been a very humbling experience to help so many other people that have been affected by these unmerited scores. I thank Dr. Conway for his tireless efforts and the CSW for paving the way and showing us young doctors what chiropractic in Wisconsin should look like. – Dr. Mikhaila Weister
While the CSW heavily favored and lobbied for the passage of AB 834, the Wisconsin Chiropractic Association (WCA) reported on its website that it remained neutral, citing that "membership was evenly divided in terms of their opinions on this issue, and [the] WCA Board of Directors found that there was no evidence or correlation to support that higher test scores lead to better, more successful professional Wisconsin chiropractors in the real-world."5
Readers will recall that until 2013, chiropractors wishing to practice in Wisconsin also were required to pass a state exam in addition to meeting the elevated NBCE score requirements. The WCA fought to establish and then preserve the state exam, while the Chiropractic Society opposed it.6 According to the CSW, the signing of AB 834 "completes the final step of a six-year project by the members of the CSW to remove artificial barriers preventing young chiropractors from practicing in Wisconsin."
References
- 2017 Assembly Bill 834. Wisconsin State Legislature - Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau.
- 2017 Wisconsin Act 288 [2017 Assembly Bill 834]. Date of Enactment: April 16, 2018.
- Wahlberg D. "State Exam for Chiropractors Dropped, But Bar on National Exam Raised." Wisconsin State Journal, Sept. 2, 2013.
- "The Chiropractic Society of Wisconsin (CSW) Applauds the Changes of NBCE Score Requirements in Wisconsin." CSW press release received April 18, 2018.
- "Higher Test Score Requirements for Chiropractic Licensure Repealed in Wisconsin." Wisconsin Chiropractic Association.
- Crownfield P. "Say Goodbye to the Wisconsin State Exam? WCA Does an About-Face." Dynamic Chiropractic, June 15, 2013.
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