The California Board also stipulated that students attending the three chiropractic colleges would have a one-year grace period during which they could sit for the California Board exam. As further demonstration of their desire to work with the three colleges, the California Board stated that it would consider a second attempt at a change in the regulations that now require chiropractic colleges to meet the educational standards, rather than their graduating students who wish to sit for California licensure.
The action by the California Board was spawned during the organization's review period when it was noticed that a 20-year-old regulation was not followed met by the three colleges. Palmer College and Life University do offer physical therapy, but as an elective, not as a required course. (This action has no effect on Life West or Palmer West.) Given the fact that the California Chiropractic Act prohibits discrimination between colleges of differing philosophy, there is a substantial legal question as to whether or not this regulation would withstand a legal challenge in court.
In talking with representatives from the three colleges and the California Board, all are hopeful that a resolution can be worked out between them before the one-year grace period is over. If so, it will more than likely require a change in the California regulations and possibly the addition of physical therapy as an elective at Sherman College. And while formal reactions by the parties are still forthcoming, this further emphasizes the need for the chiropractic colleges, chiropractic state licensing board and even the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners to work together to eliminate hurdles to advances in chiropractic education.
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