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Inventory of the Board of Chiropractic Examiners Records
R381, F2810
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Table of contents
Title: Board of Chiropractic Examiners Records
Dates: 1911-2000
Collection number: R381, F2810
Creator:
California. Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Extent:
10 cubic feet
Repository:
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: The records of the Board of Chiropractic Examiners document California's efforts to establish professional standards to regulate
the chiropractic profession in California. This record group contains 9 cubic feet of textual records from 1911 to 2000 and
are organized into the following series: meeting minutes, meeting files, license files, license indexes, school accreditation
files, administrative files, examinations, applications, correspondence, and investigative reports.
Physical location: California State Archives
Language:
English
While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.
For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication
is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility
for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives
collections.
[Identification of item], Board of Chiropractic Examiners Records, R381.[series number], [box and folder number], California
State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.
The California State Archives acquired the records of the Board of Chiropractic Examiners through a series of records transfers
over several years.
The State Board of Chiropractic Examiners was established in 1922. Prior to the creation of the Board of Chiropractic Examiners,
the Board of Medical Examiners regulated chiropractors in California. The eight hundred or so practicing chiropractors in
California at the time felt that the Board of Medical Examiners did not accept their alternative philosophy and methods. As
a result, many chiropractors were not granted medical licenses to practice because they did not possess the required medical
education or were not able to pass the medical examination. In the November 7, 1922 General Election, fifty-nine percent
of California voters passed ballot measure sixteen, the Chiropractic Initiative Act of California. The Board of Chiropractic
Examiners became effective on December 21, 1922. In addition to establishing the Board of Chiropractic Examiners and declaring
its powers and duties, the Chiropractic Initiative Act prescribed the terms upon which licenses may be issued to chiropractic
practitioners, set penalties for license violations, and repealed all acts and parts of acts inconsistent with the new measure.
The Board of Chiropractic Examiners remained an independent entity within state government until 1946 when it was added to
the Department of Professional and Vocational Standards. Chapter 1394 of the Statutes of 1970 changed the name of the Department
of Professional and Vocational Standards to the Department of Consumer Affairs in order to describe more fully the department's
primary purpose of protecting the health, safety, and welfare of California's consumers. Effective March 1, 1976, the Board
of Chiropractic Examiners withdrew from the Department of Consumer Affairs and once again became an independent agency under
the direct supervision of the Governor's Office.
Initially, the Board of Chiropractic Examiners consisted of five members appointed by the Governor. Board members were required
to have graduated from an approved chiropractic school or college and served either a one, two, or three-year term. A measure
or resolution could be adopted by an affirmative vote from three board members. The board elected a president, vice president,
and secretary from the members of the board, until 1949 when Chapter 151 allowed the board to assign a secretary that did
not have to be member of the board. Chapter 151 also expanded the board's authority to determine minimum requirements for
teachers in chiropractic schools and colleges and approve chiropractic schools and colleges whose graduates may apply for
license in California. Moreover, Chapter 151 set new minimum requirements for chiropractic students by increasing the number
of course hours and years of education. Through Chapter 151, the board also gained consent to employ staff to carry out investigations
and clerical work. To support the expanding board, the license renewal fee increased from two dollars each year to an amount
set by the board that could range from two to ten dollars annually. In 1959, Chapter 1768 transferred the authority to set
the dollar amounts for fees payable by licensees and applicants from the board to the legislature.
In 1971, Chapter 1755 extended the term a board member could serve to four years. The legislation also defined the examination
process and content in law. The board would be required to administer at least two examinations annually. The examination
would consist of written, oral, and practical components covering chiropractic as taught in chiropractic schools or colleges.
Funds gathered from examination and license renewal fees would be reported to the State Controller and deposited with the
State Treasurer who maintained a special fund known as the "State Board of Chiropractic Examiners' Fund". The monies in this
fund would only be used for expenses related to the duties of the Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Chapter 1755 also eliminated
the requirement that all licensed chiropractors record their license with the county clerk, which lists would be available
for public inspection.
The records of the Board of Chiropractic Examiners document California's efforts to establish professional standards to regulate
the chiropractic profession in California. This record group contains 9 cubic feet of textual records from 1911 to 2000 and
are organized into the following series: meeting minutes, meeting files, license files, license indexes, school accreditation
files, administrative files, examinations, applications, correspondence, and investigative reports.
The meeting minutes and meeting files provide detailed transcripts of board meetings throughout the Board of Chiropractic
Examiners' existence. This series reveals the discussion and decision-making processes of the board in creating the examinations
and regulating licensed chiropractors and chiropractic colleges. Additionally, meetings allowed the board to discuss national
trends in the chiropractic profession to ensure that California's standards remained current. With the invention of new technologies
and advances in chiropractic treatments in the twentieth century, the board continually reviewed and discussed if and how
to incorporate this new information into their exams and teaching curriculum.
The license files, license indexes, and school accreditation files show the implementation and enforcement of the board's
policies and standards. Researchers interested in a particular chiropractor or chiropractic college may find valuable biographical
or historical information in these series. The License Indexes show how the board maintained accurate lists of active and
inactive chiropractors in California.
The examinations series contains the Board of Chiropractic Examiners' professional examinations from 1930-1970. Analysis of
these exams can show the evolution of chiropractic theory and methodology over forty years. The examinations also reveal the
level of medical knowledge required to be a licensed doctor of chiropractic in California during the middle of the twentieth
century.
Further accruals are expected.
California. Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Chiropractic Law and legislation
Chiropractic Vocational guidance