New York Chiropractors Can No Longer Perform DOT Exams
All chiropractors in New York have been removed from the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners as of Wednesday, June 1.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sent out certified emails to chiropractors in New York last Wednesday night, informing them that they are no longer allowed to perform Department of Transportation physicals.
“Effective as of the date of this letter, you are no longer certified to conduct medical examinations to determine whether commercial motor vehicle drivers meet FMCSA’s physical qualification standards,” the FMCSA wrote. “Your information will remain publicly available in the National Registry for three years, with a notice that you are no longer listed on the National Registry as of the date of removal.”
The reason for the removal is based on the New York State Education Department’s interpretation of state law that DOT physicals are outside a chiropractor’s defined scope of practice in New York. According to the New York State Board for Chiropractic, changing the scope in New York would need to be done legislatively.
“The basis for this decision is based solely on scope and not competency,” the New York State Board for Chiropractic wrote.
It remains unclear if further action will be taken in other states to remove chiropractors from the individual state registries.
Drivers planning to have their physical with a chiropractor in New York, will have to make alternative plans. New York chiropractors on www.dotexamlocations.com remain on the listing but have been noted as not eligible to perform exams any longer.
