Table Talk: How to Become a Licensed Animal Chiropractor in Kentucky: No Veterinary Supervision Required

Question:

How can I become an animal chiropractor in the state of Kentucky?

Answer:

With the passage of the new Allied Animal Healthcare Professional License (AAHP) regulations, filed February 14, 2025, chiropractors in Kentucky can now become Licensed Allied Animal Healthcare Providers (AAHPs) and maintain a license under the KBVE to legally practice animal chiropractic independently, without veterinary supervision or referral.

These updates, outlined in 201 KAR 16:513, 730–732, 735, and 737, establish a standalone licensure process through the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners (KBVE) for qualified chiropractors. For the latest regulations, visit kbve.ky.gov/Pages/practice-act.aspx

---

So – how do I do it? How do I become an animal chiropractor in Kentucky?

* Didn’t sit for the AVCA or IVCA exam but you have either 1) taken a different animal chiropractic course that doesn’t qualify you for the AVCA or IVCA exam or 2) have practiced animal chiropractic for years and years? There is a path for you through the Legacy Candidate process, but the chances to get your AAHP through the Legacy Candidate pathway ends June 30^th, 2026. Learn more below.

🔹 2. Submit an Application to the Kentucky Board of Veterinarian Examiners

As outlined in 201 KAR 16:730, your application must include:

• Proof of chiropractic license
• Certificate from a board-approved animal chiropractic course
• Fingerprint-based criminal background check
• Signed statement of understanding and compliance with standards of care and scope of practice
• Payment of application and licensure fees ($250 as of 05.2025)

🔹 3. Practice Independently Under Defined Scope

Per 201 KAR 16:737, AAHPs may:

• Provide chiropractic services to animals without a supervising veterinarian
• Practice independently
• Must refer cases outside of the AAHP scope to veterinarians.

Animal Chiropractor AAHPs are not allowed to (201 KAR 16:737)

• (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, dispensation, or administration of medications, supplements, or nutraceuticals, or diet; or
• (f) Practice of veterinary medicine outside the scope of the allied animal health professional’s permitted practice area.

Other items for consideration: Communicating with Veterinarians: What AAHPs need to know

To protect animal safety, Licensed Allied Animal Health Professionals (AAHPs) are encouraged to communicate with the animal’s veterinarian to ensure:

• The services you’re providing are appropriate, and
• There are no medical concerns or conflicts (such as existing treatments or medications).

🔹 Optional, but Risk Matters:
You’re not required to contact the vet before treatment. However, if you don’t and something goes wrong, you are solely responsible for any adverse outcomes, not the veterinarian.

🔹 Timely Follow-Up is Required:
After treating an animal, you must communicate your findings and services to both:

• The animal’s owner, and
• The animal’s veterinarian
  …within 3 business days.

🔹 Document Everything:
All communications with veterinarians must be documented in the animal’s medical record.

🔹 Who’s Liable?
If harm occurs during or after your treatment, you, not the veterinarian, are responsible.

🔹 4. Register your facility

Each office is required to register their facility with the KBVE – this is a new regulation for ALL veterinarians and AAHPs. This also applies if you have a mobile facility.

• Initial fee is $100 until June 30, 2025, then $200
  • Until June 30, 2026 the fee is $500
  • Between July 1, 2026-June 30, 2028 – $550
  • After June 30, 2028 the fee is $625
  • Includes up to 2 mobile units. Additional mobile units are $25/unit

🔹 5. Follow Standards of Care

You are held to professional standards of conduct and care under 201 KAR 16:732, including:

• Maintaining patient records for a minimum of 5 years past the date of the last patient visit
• Records must include:
  • Name, address, and telephone number of client
  • Identity of the animal patient including name, age, sex and breed
  • Name, address, and telephone number of the animal patient’s veterinarian
  • Dates of consultations, examinations, or services provided
  • Brief history of the condition of each animal
  • AAHP provider findings and observations
  • Plan for services, including expected duration and frequency
  • Notations related to provided services
  • Progress and disposition of the case
  • Name of the practitioner or practitioners providing services to the patient
  • Name and contact information of any person consulted for medical advice regarding the patient
  • Communication attempts of the AAHP permittee to the veterinarian of record

🔹 6. Keep Your License Active – Renewal options

Renewal and continuing education details are set by the KBVE; updates will be posted at: https://kbve.ky.gov

• Active status
  • Renew your AAHP every year by September 30^th
  • Pay renewal fee
    • $150 by June 30
    • $175 between July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028
    • $200 after June 30, 2028
  • Grace period – 60 days following September 30^th, however there are additional fees
  • You must: keep your AVCA or IVCA certification active
  • All AAHPs must receive a minimum of 6 clinical CE hours annually.
• Inactive Status
  • There is an inactive status if you choose to move your AAHP license to inactive. The renewal fee is $50 to keep your license on inactive status annually.
  • Late fees apply if you miss the deadline to renew.
• Reinstatement of Inactive AAHP License
  • Reinstatement for an inactive AAHP license that has been inactive for less than 24-months is $600
  • Reinstatement for an inactive AAHP license that has been inactive for greater than 24-months up to 7-years is $400.
  • After 7-years, the AAHP licensee must reapply for a new AAHP license
  • To change your inactive AAHP license to reinstate to active status, the AAHP must comply with 201 KAR 16:580.

🔹 7. What can I call myself? How can I advertise? aka Use of title

With the passage of SB69 in 2025, the KAC was able to add a protection title or “use of title” section in statute. Here is what you are legally allowed to call yourself in the state of Kentucky.

(8) (a)

1. Only a board-licensed allied animal health professional who is also licensed as a chiropractor with the Kentucky Board of Chiropractic Examiners and is qualified in the State of Kentucky to perform animal chiropractic within the limits established by the board in an administrative regulation may use the titles “animal chiropractor,” “animal chiropractic practitioner,” “ACP,” or “AC.”
2. A chiropractor shall not use the titles “veterinary chiropractor” or “veterinary adjuster” unless the chiropractor is also licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Kentucky.
3. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a licensed veterinarian from using the titles “animal adjuster” or “animal spinal manipulation practitioner.”

In summary:

You can use the terms “animal chiropractor”, “animal chiropractic practitioner”, “ACP” or “AC”.

You can only use the terms “veterinary chiropractor” or “veterinary adjuster” if you are BOTH a chiropractor and a veterinarian.

Veterinarians can only use the terms “animal adjuster” or “animal spinal manipulation practitioner”.

---

📎 Access the Full Regulations Here:

Allied Animal Health Providers (AAHPs)

• 201 KAR 16:513 – Fees for Allied Animal Health Professional (AAHP) Permits
• 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 permits — reinstatement
• 201 KAR 16:735​ – Renewal requirements for AAHP permits — renewal notice — expiration
• 201 KAR 16:737 – Responsibilities for AAHP providers; limitations on practice

AAHP Facility Registrations

• 201 KAR 16:517 – Fees for AAHP facility registrations
• 201 KAR 16:772 – Application requirements for AAHP facility registration; AAHP managers; Registered responsible parties
• 201 KAR 16:775 – AAHP facilities — Renewal notice — Requirements for renewal and reinstatement
• 201 KAR 16:777​ – Registered AAHP facilities — Duties of registered responsible parties and AAHP managers

---

*Legacy Candidate Pathway to Licensure for Animal Chiropractors in Kentucky

Are you an experienced animal chiropractor but not certified by AVCA or IVCA? Or maybe you completed training through a program that doesn’t qualify you to sit for those exams? You still have a pathway to licensure in Kentucky—but only for a limited time.

✅ What is a “Legacy Candidate”?

A Legacy Candidate is an experienced animal chiropractor who:

• Did not complete a KBVE-approved certification program (Example: VOM)
• Did not pass a KBVE-approved qualifying exam (i.e. AVCA or IVCA)
• But has at least 10 years of experience practicing animal chiropractic care

This temporary option allows qualified individuals to become Licensed Allied Animal Health Practitioners without AVCA or IVCA certification.

🗓️ Who Qualifies and How to Apply:

You must apply before June 30, 2026 and submit the following:

1. Proof of 10+ years of experience (W-2s, 1099s, or other verification)
2. Details of your training (school name and number of hours)
3. 2 letters of recommendation from licensed veterinarians
4. 2 letters of recommendation from licensed chiropractors
5. A written summary of your practice history, including:
   1. How many years you’ve practiced
   1. Estimated hours per year
6. Letter of Good Standing from any state or jurisdiction where you hold credentials
7. List of continuing education you’ve completed (by year and hour count)

🗣️ All legacy applicants will be interviewed by the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners (KBVE) as part of the process.

📌 After Approval:

Once licensed, you must follow the same rules and continuing education requirements as all other AAHPs (see 201 KAR 16:730).

🕒 Act Before June 30, 2026

This Legacy Pathway is temporary and will expire after that date. If you’ve been in practice for years and don’t meet current certification requirements, this is your opportunity to become legally licensed in Kentucky.

📄 Need help navigating the process? Contact the KAC or visit kbve.ky.gov for full application materials.

---

🎯 Why Does All of This Animal Chiropractic Info Matter

This is a groundbreaking change for chiropractic professionals in Kentucky. You now have a clear, legal path to treat animal patients independently, without the need for veterinarian referral, while maintaining strong standards and referral protections for animal health.

💬 Questions about applying or your next steps? The KAC is here to support you—reach out anytime.