Kentucky

In the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the practice of an allied animal health professional falls under the legal definition of the practice of veterinary medicine. To practice legally, an individual must obtain an Allied Animal Health Professional (AAHP) license from the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners (KBVE). This regulatory framework ensures that non-veterinarians providing specialized services like animal chiropractic meet rigorous educational, examination, and ethical standards to protect animal patients and the public.

Laws for animal chiropractic can be found under the veterinarian practice act. 

Current statutes include a definition of animal chiropractic:

KRS 321.181 Definitions for chapter.

(1) “Allied animal health professional” or “AAHP” means a professional who has completed an approved allied animal health professional program as defined by administrative regulation and who offers specialized, limited services as defined by administrative regulation to an animal patient in animal chiropractic;
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(4) “Allied animal health professional permit” or “AAHP permit” means a credential issued to an allied animal health professional who is permitted by the board to practice on animals in the Commonwealth and to conduct specialized services for an animal patient limited to the scope of work as defined in administrative regulation by the board;
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(6) “Animal chiropractic” means the science of diagnosing and adjusting or manipulating the subluxations of the articulations of an animal’s spine and its adjacent tissues and by applying methods of treatment designed to augment those adjustments or manipulations;

Link to all statutes, laws and policies

Email the Board at: Vet@ky.gov

Link to the Kentucky Board of Veterinarian Examiners

Again – the regulations are currently considered DRAFTS. Once the drafts are approved, the certification required for an AAHP will be from the following:

• American Veterinarian Chiropractic Association (AVCA)
• International Veterinarian Chiropractic Association (IVCA)
• An accredited program from the AVCA or IVCA

The regualtions have been finalized!

Direct supervision is not be required for certified animal chiropractors who obtain their AAHP with the KBVE. For all current OR future draft regulations, please visit: kbve.ky.gov/Pages/practice-act.aspx

Allied Animal Health Professional (AAHP) Permit and AAHP Facility Registration Regulations:

• • Allied Animal Health Professionals (AAHPs)
    • 201 KAR 16:513 – Fees for Allied Animal Health Professional (AAHP) Licenses
    • 201 KAR 16:730 – Approved allied animal health professional (AAHP) programs; education requirements
    • 201 KAR 16:731​ – Examination requirements for AAHP providers
    • 201 KAR 16:732 – Application requirements for AAHP licenses — reinstatement
    • 201 KAR 16:735​ – Renewal requirements for AAHP licenses — renewal notice — expiration
    • 201 KAR 16:737 – Responsibilities for AAHP providers; limitations on practice

201 KAR 16:737. Responsibilities for AAHP providers; limitations on practice.

• 201 KAR 16:737 – Responsibilities for AAHP providers; limitations on practice

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Section 2. Communications with Veterinarians.

(1) To ensure patient safety, an allied animal health professional licensee may communicate with an animal patient’s veterinarian regarding services to be rendered by the AAHP provider on an animal to ensure:

(a) Appropriate services are provided; and

(b) No concerns exist related to an animal patient’s condition, current treatment regime, and medicines.

(2) If the AAHP provider does not communicate with the animal patient’s veterinarian prior to initiation of services, then if an adverse outcome occurs the liability lies solely with the AAHP provider.

(3) AAHP licensees shall communicate findings, services provided, or relevant information to the client and the client’s veterinarian within an appropriate timeframe according to the condition, but no more than three (3) business days after services are rendered.

(4) Communication between an AAHP licensee and a veterinarian shall be recorded in the medical record.

(5) An AAHP licensee providing services to a patient that results in harm shall be cause for the AAHP licensee to be liable for that harm. The patient’s veterinarian shall not be liable for harm as a result of services provided by an AAHP licensee.

Section 3. Limitations on Practice.

(1) An AAHP licensee shall be limited in their practice on animal patients, as established in KRS 321.255 and this section, or the practice shall be considered the practice of veterinary medicine and subject to penalty for practicing without a veterinarian license from the board.

(2) An AAHP licensee shall only provide AAHP services to the species for which the licensee has received training.

(3) An AAHP licensee’s practice shall not be construed to allow on animals the:

(a) Performance of radiographs or other medical imaging;

(b) Performance of surgery;

(c) Performance of shockwave, laser, ultrasound, electrotherapy, or similar therapies;

(d) Rehabilitation activities;

(e) Prescription or dispensation of medications, supplements, or nutraceuticals, or diet;

(f) Provision of dietary guidance;

(g) Administration of medications, except in the context of KRS 321.200(1)(b);

(h) For AAHP equine dental provider (EDP) licensees, offering or conducting of a veterinary oral exam on the mouth of patients; or

(i) Practice of veterinary medicine outside the scope of the allied animal health professional’s licensed practice area.

(4)  AAHP licensees shall:

(a) Conform with applicable requirements of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation; and

(b) Comply with other state and federal laws.

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Section 5. Record Keeping. An AAHP licensee shall keep medical records on all animal patients on which they practice their profession pursuant to KRS 321.187 and this section.

(1) The AAHP licensee’s animal patient medical records shall contain sufficient information to justify and describe the course of care on the patient. The records shall contain, at a minimum:

(a) Name, address, and telephone number of the client, as defined by KRS 321.181(22);

(b) Identity of the animal patient, including name, age, sex, and breed;

(c) Name, address, and telephone number of the animal patient’s veterinarian;

(d) Dates of consultations, observations, or services provided;

(e) Brief history of the condition of each animal;

(f) AAHP provider findings and observations;

(g) Plan for services, including expected duration and frequency;

(h) Notations related to provided services;

(i) Progress and disposition of the case;

(j) Name of the AAHP provider or providers providing service to the patient;

(k) Name and contact information of any person consulted for medical advice regarding the patient; and

(l) Communication attempts of the AAHP licensee to the veterinarian of record.

Below is the following regulation that discusses CE requirements.

• 201 KAR 16:730 – Approved allied animal health professional (AAHP) programs; education requirements
• 201 KAR 16:735​ – Renewal requirements for AAHP licenses — renewal notice — expiration

Section 2. Continuing Education (CE) Required.

(1) Each AAHP licensee shall list their continuing education hours received on the Renewal Application for AAHP Licenses form or online equivalent form, including all required attachments, and if required, proof of attendance or completion of training to the board.

(a) For AAHP animal chiropractic providers (ACPs), licensees shall show proof of CE for a minimum of six (6) clinical hours annually from:

1. An approved program of the:

a. American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA); or

b. International Veterinary Chiropractic Association (IVCA); or

2. Animal chiropractic focused CE from one (1) or more of the following organizations:

a. American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) or its affiliate organizations as listed on the AVMA website available at https://www.avma.org/about/state-and-allied-groups;

b. American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE); or

c. A board-approved CE program.

(b) For AAHP Equine Dental Providers (EDPs), licensees shall show proof of CE for a minimum of six (6) clinical hours annually from:

1. The International Association of Equine Dentistry (IAED) annual conference; or

2. Equine dental focused CE from one (1) or more of the following organizations:

a. AVMA or its affiliate organizations as listed on the AVMA website available at https://www.avma.org/about/state-and-allied-groups;

b. Veterinary Dental Forum;

c. American Association of Equine Providers (AAEP);

d. AAVSBRACE; or

3. A board-approved CE program.

(2) AAHP CE hours shall be clinical in a topic specifically related to the area of practice for which they hold a license. Additional CE hours in practice management, wellness, or other topics may be earned, but shall not count toward the CE requirement for renewal or reinstatement of the AAHP license.

(3) CE Format. An AAHP licensee shall earn:

(a) A minimum of three (3) of the required six (6) hours CE for AAHP providers that is earned in person; and

(b) No more than three (3) of the required six (6) CE hours in an online format that is pre-recorded or non-interactive.

(4) All CE earned shall be new continuing education. An AAHP licensee shall not apply CE earned in a prior renewal period, or earned and applied for licensure reinstatement toward renewal of their license in the current renewal cycle.

(5) Continuing education shall be earned from October 1 of each renewal period until September 30 at the end of the period, or until November 30 at the end of the grace period with the addition of a late fee in accordance with 201 KAR 16:513.

(6) Continuing education hours earned during the grace period of a renewal cycle shall not be eligible for credit on subsequent renewal applications.

(7) The board shall not renew the license of any person who fails to appropriately document the required hours of continuing education.

(8) Continuing education requirements shall be waived for a new licensee completing their initial term of licensure who has also achieved board-approved certification within twelve (12) months of initial licensure.