SF4684 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Requirements establishment for voluntarily retired licenses, procedures for reinstatement of voluntarily retired and terminates licenses, an administrative hold status and interim procedures for registration reinstatement
Related bill: HF4458
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
Explain how the bill would regulate certain health professions in Minnesota, especially chiropractic practice. It aims to establish rules for voluntary retirement of licenses, how to reinstate licenses that were retired or terminated, and how to handle administrative holds and interim steps for registration. It also updates how independent examinations can be done, allows a third party to be present during those examinations, requires rulemaking, and sets fees and penalties. The bill would update several sections of Minnesota law to reflect these changes.
Key Provisions
Voluntary retirement and reinstatement
- Creates processes for licenses that are voluntarily retired to return to active status (reinstatement) under existing sections.
- Establishes an administrative hold status and interim procedures for registration reinstatement, helping manage licenses that are temporarily paused or awaiting reactivation.
Independent examinations
- Modifies requirements for independent examinations and allows a third party to be present during those examinations.
Rulemaking, fees, and penalties
- Requires rulemaking to implement the changes.
- Sets up new or revised fees and potential penalties related to licensing, reinstatement, and related processes.
Definitions and scope (selected terms)
- Adds or clarifies terms used in the practice of chiropractic and related services, including definitions that affect licensure and scope of practice.
Acupuncture within chiropractic practice
- Defines acupuncture as a modality used in conjunction with chiropractic adjustments, not as a standalone therapy.
- Requires registration with the board to perform acupuncture, including completion of a board-approved course and a board-approved national exam.
- Renewal of acupuncture registration requires continuing education.
- Acupuncture restrictions align with other licensing rules (e.g., still part of chiropractic services and not independent treatment).
Animal chiropractic
- Introduces the concept of animal chiropractic diagnosis and treatment, including spinal manipulation and related adjustments for nonhuman vertebrates.
- Sets clear limits: no surgery, no dispensing or administering medications, and no traditional veterinary care or diagnosis.
Chiropractic practice and services
- Reaffirms chiropractic as the health care field that emphasizes the relationship between structure, function, and the nervous system to support health.
- Defines chiropractic services as evaluation and treatment using adjustments, mobilization, or other procedures to address vertebral subluxations and other issues, including but not limited to manual and mechanical therapies.
Therapeutic services
- Defines therapeutic services as rehabilitative and preventive therapies that a chiropractor can provide, with the services performed in a practice focused on chiropractic care and under the direct supervision of qualified staff.
Good standing, reinstatement, and related terms
- Clarifies what it means for a license to be in good standing.
- Defines reinstatement and voluntarily retired license status for clarity in licensure.
Significant Changes to Law
New pathways for retiring and reinstating licenses
- Adds formal procedures for returning from a voluntarily retired license to active status.
- Introduces interim steps and potential administrative holds to manage the reinstatement process.
Expanded oversight during examinations
- Allows third-party presence in independent examinations, potentially increasing transparency and oversight.
Expanded practice areas and defined boundaries
- Officially recognizes animal chiropractic as a practice area with clear boundaries.
- Places explicit limits on what animal chiropractors may do (no surgery, no meds, no traditional veterinary care).
Acupuncture integration within chiropractic
- Establishes a regulated path for chiropractors to perform acupuncture only after board registration, coursework, and testing.
- Requires ongoing education for those registered to perform acupuncture.
Rulemaking and cost aspects
- Signals that the administration will issue additional rules, set fees, and enforce penalties to implement the changes.
Modifications to definitions and scope
- Updates definitions of key terms such as abnormal articulation, chiropractic services, diagnostic services, and therapeutic services to align with the revised licensing framework.
How This Could Affect Practitioners and Public
- Practitioners who have voluntarily retired their chiropractic licenses will have a defined process to reinstate them.
- Clinics and boards will implement new steps for administrative holds and interim reinstatement procedures.
- Chiropractors who want to provide acupuncture will need board registration, education, and exam credentials.
- Those practicing animal chiropractic will operate under clarified rules, with tighter boundaries on medical activities.
- The overall regulatory framework for chiropractic practice will be updated, including fees and penalties.
Relevant Terms voluntary retired license, reinstatement, administrative hold status, registration reinstatement, independent examination, third-party presence, rulemaking, fees, penalties, Minnesota Statutes 148, abnormal articulation, acupuncture, animal chiropractic diagnosis and treatment, chiropractic, chiropractic services, diagnostic services, good standing, therapeutic services, rehabilitative therapies, board-approved course, national examination on acupuncture, continuing education, veterinary care, nonhuman vertebrates, surgery prohibition, dispensing medications, veterinary diagnosis.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 23, 2026 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| March 23, 2026 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Health and Human Services |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Definitions for abnormal articulation, acupuncture, animal chiropractic diagnosis and treatment, chiropractic, chiropractic services, diagnosis, diagnostic services, good standing, reinstatement, and therapeutic services."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends the definitions section to add and clarify terms used in chiropractic-related sections (148.01 to 148.10), including abnormal articulation, acupuncture, animal chiropractic, chiropractic services, diagnosis, and diagnostic services.",
"modified": [
"The definitions are updated to align with the expanded scope of sections 148.01 through 148.10 and with the addition of referenced terms."
]
},
"citation": "148.01",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Further defines terms within the 148.01 definitions, including provisions related to good standing, reinstatement, and therapeutic services.",
"modified": [
"Definitions related to good standing, reinstatement, and therapeutic services are clarified or expanded to support the added or amended provisions in the chapters 148.01–148.10."
]
},
"citation": "148.01",
"subdivision": "subdivision 4"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Reinstatement definition clarifying that reinstatement can occur under sections 148.071 or 148.076."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines reinstatement as the process by which a board-terminated license or voluntarily retired license returns to active status, referencing reinstatement provisions.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "148.01",
"subdivision": "subdivision 9"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Therapeutic services defined as rehabilitative therapies, with supervision and delivery requirements tied to chiropractic practice."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines therapeutic services and clarifies their scope and supervision requirements within chiropractic practice.",
"modified": [
"Therapeutic services term updated to reference supervision and the relationship to chiropractic services."
]
},
"citation": "148.01",
"subdivision": "subdivision 10"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"New subdivision 3 added to section 148.102 to support newly defined or amended processes in reinstatement or registration."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Adds a new subdivision under section 148.102 (subdivision 3) to accommodate regulatory changes related to reinstatement and registration.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "148.102",
"subdivision": "subdivision 3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"New subdivision 1 added to section 148.105."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Adds subdivision 1 under section 148.105 to support the expanded framework for licenses and reinstatement.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "148.105",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"New subdivision 5 added to section 148.108."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Adds subdivision 5 to section 148.108 in Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement to accommodate new licensure or reinstatement provisions.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "148.108",
"subdivision": "subdivision 5"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-reference indicating reinstatement mechanisms under sections 148.071 and related provisions.",
"modified": [
"Cross-references to reinstatement provisions are maintained or clarified in relation to 148.071."
]
},
"citation": "148.071",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-reference indicating reinstatement mechanisms under sections 148.076 and related provisions.",
"modified": [
"Cross-references to reinstatement provisions are maintained or clarified in relation to 148.076."
]
},
"citation": "148.076",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Definition of voluntarily retired license referenced in reinstatement discussions (under 148.075)."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines voluntarily retired license in the context of reinstatement provisions.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "148.075",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References to examination and scope of practice under 148.06 related to chiropractic services and diagnostic activities.",
"modified": [
"Cross-reference to examination provisions under 148.06 integrated with the revised definitions and registration requirements."
]
},
"citation": "148.06",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Reference to 146.23 for the definition or scope of certain therapeutic modalities used in chiropractic care."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines therapeutic and related modalities referenced in chiropractic practice through section 146.23.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "146.23",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Restriction provisions for acupuncture as applied to this program, per 147B.02, subd. 2."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Applies restrictions related to acupuncture under 147B.02, subdivision 2 for individuals registered to perform acupuncture in this framework.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "147B.02",
"subdivision": "subdivision 2"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee