House Bill 462 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Kerry Underwood

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Chiropractic board; board service and licensure qualifications revised

Summary

HB462 would revise who can serve on Alabama's State Board of Chiropractic Examiners and update chiropractors' licensure requirements, including background checks and education standards.

What This Bill Does

The bill changes board member qualifications by removing a requirement that the member's school must have required actual attendance to graduate. It updates licensure rules to modernize education prerequisites and introduces fingerprint-based background checks for applicants, with costs paid by the applicant. It adds a bachelor’s degree requirement for graduates after January 1, 2010 (or an equivalent graduate degree plus a national test), requires publication of a statewide licensee directory, and directs the board to maintain diversity among its members; the board would oversee elections through an independent agency and can hire staff and issue subpoenas. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Prospective chiropractors seeking licensure in Alabama, who would face new background checks, revised degree requirements, and license fees.
• Chiropractors who may want to serve on the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, whose eligibility criteria and election process would change.
• Chiropractic schools and colleges, which would be affected by updated education and accreditation requirements for licensure.
• The general public in Alabama, as the bill aims to increase board diversity and requires an annual directory of licensees.

Key Provisions

• Remove the requirement that a board member's school must have required actual attendance to graduate, changing board eligibility criteria.
• Revise licensure qualifications to align with updated standards, changing or removing previous attendance-based and four-year course prerequisites for schools and strengthening accreditation references.
• Require fingerprint-based criminal history background checks for licensure applicants, with costs borne by the applicant and confidential handling of information unless needed to deny licensure.
• Introduce a bachelor’s degree requirement for applicants who graduate after January 1, 2010 (or an equivalent graduate degree plus a national standardized test); provide an alternate path for those without a bachelor’s degree.
• Publish annually a directory listing all permit holders and licensed chiropractors in the state, with copies available to the public.
• Establish a nine-member board (eight licensed chiropractors and one consumer member), with diversity goals and an independent agency handling elections.
• Authorize the board to hire investigators, attorneys, and staff, and to issue subpoenas as part of enforcing laws.
• Effective date: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 17, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Occupational Licensing Boards