Tennessee

Animal Chiropractic Laws

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Tennessee | Animal Chiropractic Summary

At this time, the regulations have not been written. All that is currently in statute is listed below. 

Stay tuned for more details as they become available!

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Laws

63-4-101. Practice of chiropractic — Education and clinical training — Scope of practice. [Effective on January 1, 2026. See the version effective until January 1, 2026.]

(a)

(1) As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

(A) “Animal chiropractic”:

(i) Means the evaluation and treatment of a non-human’s vertebral or extremity joint dysfunction through spinal, joint, or musculoskeletal manipulative therapy and soft tissue therapy; and

(ii) Does not include:

(a) Performing surgery;
(b) Dispensing or administering of medications; or
(c) Performing veterinary medicine, as defined in § 63-12-103, other than the evaluation and treatment of a non-human’s vertebral or extremity joint dysfunction through spinal, joint, or musculoskeletal manipulative therapy and soft tissue therapy;

63-4-125. Regulation and certification of animal chiropractic physicians. [Effective on January 1, 2026.]

(a) The board shall adopt rules, pursuant to the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5, for:

(1) Regulating the performance of animal chiropractic;
(2) Establishing educational standards for certification of a chiropractic physician to perform animal chiropractic. The educational standards must include obtaining a certificate in animal chiropractic from the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association, or a similar curriculum approved by the board of chiropractic examiners; and
(3) Establishing health and sanitation standards for a facility where a chiropractic physician performs animal chiropractic and human patients are treated.

(b) A chiropractic physician may apply to the board for certification to perform animal chiropractic. An applicant for certification must:

(1) Provide the board with proof, satisfactory to the board, that the applicant meets the educational standards established pursuant to subdivision (a)(2); and
(2) Meet any other requirements for certification established by the board pursuant to subdivision (a)(1).
(c) The board shall maintain on its website a list of chiropractic physicians who are certified in good standing to perform animal chiropractic.

The most recent laws can be found under Tenn. Code 63-4-101, 63-4-112 and 63-4-125

Link to all statutes, laws and policies

Email the Board at:  

Unit2HRB.Health@tn.gov

615-741-3807 | 800-778-4123

Tennessee Board of Chiropractic Examiners website here

Certification Requirements

At this time, the regulations have not been enacted yet. The current language is as follows: 

The educational standards must include obtaining a certificate in animal chiropractic from the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association, or a similar curriculum approved by the board of chiropractic examiners; …

Scope of Practice

Animal chiropractors must register with the chiropractic board. 

At this time, the regulations have not been written. Stay tuned for more details!

Continuing Education reqirements

At least 6 hours of CE for animal chiropractors annually.

63-4-112. Registration and renewal — Continuing education — Reinstatement — Retirement. [Effective on January 1, 2026. See the version effective until January 1, 2026.]

…

(3) The minimum number of hours of required continuing education is at least twelve (12) hours in any calendar year; provided, that, in addition to the chiropractic education required pursuant to subdivision (c)(2), a chiropractic physician who is certified to perform animal chiropractic shall annually complete a minimum of six (6) additional hours of continuing education in animal chiropractic that are approved by the board.

(emphasis added)