IMPORTANT NEWS BULLETINS:

 (Updated 2/15/07)

Next C.A. Exam set for April 24^th

The next C.A. Exam is set for April 24^th.  To qualify, Applicants must have completed all required coursework and must submit application and fees by March 24^th.  Applicants failing to meet these requirements and deadlines will have to wait for the November 2007 examination or a makeup examination (date to yet be determined).

New draft regulations published for public comment:

Board revamped regulations for chiropractic and massage therapy were published in the Maryland Register on January 19, 2007.  The general public and professions have until February 20^th to submit their comments/criticisms to the Board of Examiners.  The draft package will next be forwarded to AELR Committee of the Legislature for final review and then to the Executive Office of the Governor for final adoption.  It is anticipated that this will occur in early Spring.

Beware of advertising glitches – especially relating to Spinal Decompression Units:

Several licensees have recently gotten into trouble for false advertising and misrepresentation in their advertising.  Regardless of many warnings by the Board in newsletters and on this website, advertising violations persist as a major problem.  Remember, in accordance with COMAR 10.43.03.03 all advertising may not:

·        Mislead

·        Misrepresent

·        Make false representations of cure or unjustified expectations of results

·        Falsely mislead due to partial disclosure of relevant facts

·        Contain representations regarding use of unapproved or unauthorized devices or 

         practices

Also, remember that every advertisement MUST CLEARLY AND UNEQUIVOCALLY IDENTIFY THE PRACTICE AS CHIROPRACTIC.  This is done by using the terms “chiropractic” or the suffix “D.C.” with the name of the practitioner.  Additionally, every advertisement MUST CLEARLY LIST THE NAME, PROFESSIONAL TITLE, ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER OF THE LICENSEE.

Regarding Decompression Units, both the Minnesota and California Boards sanctioned licensees for illegal advertising regarding the DRX 9000 Decompression Unit.  Maryland licensees using this unit must ensure that their advertisements do not violate the aforementioned advertising regulations. 

In Minnesota and California (and in some Maryland cases) the licensee advertises the unit has being approved by NASA and having an 86% or 90% success rate of cure.  These have not proven to be sufficiently supported by scientific evidence.

The bottom line:  USE COMMON SENSE and MAKE SURE THAT YOUR ADVERTISING IS ACCURATE, SUPPORTABLE AND MEETS THE MARYLAND ADVERTISING REGULATIONS.  If any questions, call the Executive Director at 410.764-5985.

Extended Contracts of Adhesion are Prohibited:

The Board is very concerned about extended contracts of adhesion used in regards to this product.  These contracts may unfairly and unscrupulously bind a patient into several months of treatment costing several thousands of dollars.  Significantly, patients are generally not permitted to terminate the contract at their discretion.  This Board specifically considers such contracts as unprofessional conduct.  THE TEST IS THAT ALL CONTRACTS MUST ALLOW EVERY PATIENT TO TERMINATE THE CONTRACT AT ANY TIME, FOR ANY REASON WITHOUT ANY PENALTY OR COST.