Established in 1923, the Tennessee Board of Chiropractic Examiners (TCA 63-4) remains one of the older regulatory bodies in the state’s health professional landscape. Every chiropractor practicing in Tennessee must hold a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from a Council on Chiropractic Education-accredited program and pass all four parts of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners examination plus the physiotherapy component. The initial license application costs $360, and the Board requires 24 hours of continuing education each calendar year, due by December 31, with a maximum of six hours permitted through online coursework. Chiropractors who also practice acupuncture must dedicate six of those 24 hours to acupuncture-specific training. New licensees face an additional six-hour course in risk management, sexual and professional boundaries, and Tennessee jurisprudence within the first six months of licensure.
Tennessee classifies chiropractors as “chiropractic physicians” under state law, though the Board does not designate them as primary care physicians. The statutory scope covers spinal adjustment and adjacent tissue manipulation to correct nerve interference and articular dysfunction, with due regard for nutrition, hygiene, sanitation, and rehabilitation (TCA 63-4-101). Practitioners may order and perform diagnostic X-rays, and the state certifies chiropractic X-ray technologists and therapy assistants under the same Board. Tennessee participates in military licensure portability, allowing service members and their spouses with transfer orders to practice under streamlined procedures.
One significant legislative victory for Tennessee chiropractors came in 2019, when the General Assembly removed the annual $400 Professional Privilege Tax that had been levied on chiropractic physicians and 14 other professions, effective in 2020. This tax had been imposed solely on the privilege of holding an active license, regardless of whether the profession was actually practiced in the state. The Tennessee Chiropractic Association, founded in 1935, played a central role in lobbying for this repeal and continues to serve as the sole statewide nonprofit membership organization representing chiropractic professionals.
The Board uses CE Broker as its official continuing education tracking system, a partnership launched on January 1, 2019. Licensees maintain free Basic Accounts to report, track, and confirm CE compliance. Disciplinary oversight follows a complaint-driven model through the Department of Health’s Office of Investigations, and the Board convenes regularly throughout the year to ratify licenses, promulgate rules, and adjudicate disciplinary matters. Seven Board members, appointed by the Governor, serve four-year terms, with a quorum of four required to conduct business.
Reciprocity is available for chiropractors who have held a valid, unrestricted license in another state for at least two full years. Applicants who have not passed Part IV of the NBCE must complete the Special Purposes Examination for Chiropractors. Tennessee also offers a temporary externship license, valid for up to 365 days, for applicants awaiting NBCE Part III or IV results, provided they practice under the supervision of a chiropractor with at least four years of experience. When evaluating a chiropractor in Tennessee, verify the practitioner’s active license status through the Department of Health’s online license verification portal, confirm their malpractice insurance coverage, and ask about specific techniques and specialization areas relevant to your condition.
Top Chiropractor Providers in Tennessee
1. Premier Chiropractic
- Address: 2040 Reserve Blvd, Suite A, Spring Hill, TN 37174
- Phone: (615) 653-4541
- Website: https://springhillpremierchiro.com
- Rating: 4.9/5 (1,125 reviews)
- Services: Neurologically-based chiropractic adjustments, pediatric chiropractic care, prenatal and postpartum chiropractic, Webster’s technique, diagnostic X-rays, corrective care plans
- Description: Premier Chiropractic is a husband-and-wife practice led by Drs. Ericka and Michael Montelione, opened in 2015. Dr. Ericka holds Webster’s technique certification through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association and is completing her advanced pediatric certification. The practice operates a second location in Columbia.
2. Freedom Chiropractic
- Address: 7827 Montvue Center Way, Knoxville, TN 37919
- Phone: (865) 415-2497
- Website: https://freedomknox.com
- Rating: 4.9/5 (492 reviews)
- Services: Nervous system-centered chiropractic adjustments, prenatal chiropractic, postpartum care, pediatric adjustments, neurological INSiGHT scans, family wellness care
- Description: Freedom Chiropractic specializes in nervous system-centered care for families, with a particular focus on prenatal, postpartum, and pediatric patients. The practice is led by Dr. Sara Nelson-Gray, a Palmer College of Chiropractic graduate, and serves the greater Knoxville area.
3. Tennessee Valley Chiropractic
- Address: 331 Whitecrest Dr #1, Maryville, TN 37801
- Phone: (865) 233-3322
- Website: https://tnvalleychiro.com
- Rating: 5.0/5 (193 reviews)
- Services: Full spine adjustments, extremity adjustments, instrument-based adjustments, posture exercises, targeted stretching programs, diagnostic X-rays
- Description: Tennessee Valley Chiropractic was founded in 2019 by Dr. Kyle Koslowski, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from SUNY Fredonia and earned his doctorate at Life University in Georgia. The practice emphasizes individualized treatment and serves the Maryville and Blount County communities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chiropractors in Tennessee
Q: What license must a chiropractor hold to practice in Tennessee?
Every chiropractor in Tennessee must be licensed by the Board of Chiropractic Examiners under TCA Title 63, Chapter 4. Licensure requires graduation from a Council on Chiropractic Education-accredited program and successful completion of all four parts of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners examination along with the physiotherapy component. The initial application fee is $360. Practitioners may legally use the titles “Doctor of Chiropractic,” “Chiropractic Physician,” or the abbreviation “D.C.”
Q: How many continuing education hours do Tennessee chiropractors need each year?
Tennessee requires 24 hours of continuing education annually, due by December 31. A maximum of six hours may be completed through online courses. The Board accepts courses approved by the American Chiropractic Association, International Chiropractic Association, Tennessee Chiropractic Association, and FCLB PACE-approved providers, though philosophy and practice-building courses are excluded. Compliance is tracked through the CE Broker system.
Q: Does insurance typically cover chiropractic care in Tennessee?
Most private health insurance plans in Tennessee include chiropractic benefits, though coverage levels, copays, and visit limits vary by policy. TennCare (the state Medicaid program) provides limited chiropractic coverage for eligible adults. Auto insurance policies in Tennessee cover chiropractic treatment for injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents under medical payment or personal injury protection provisions. Patients should verify specific coverage details with their insurer before beginning treatment.
Q: What is the difference between a chiropractor and a physical therapist in Tennessee?
Chiropractors in Tennessee focus on spinal adjustments and manipulation to correct nerve interference and restore joint function, operating under TCA 63-4. Physical therapists work under TCA 63-13 and treat musculoskeletal conditions through exercise programs, manual therapy, and modalities like ultrasound or electrical stimulation. Chiropractors may order and take diagnostic X-rays, while physical therapists cannot. Both professions are regulated by separate boards within the Tennessee Department of Health.
Q: Can a chiropractor prescribe medication in Tennessee?
No. Tennessee law does not authorize chiropractors to prescribe pharmaceutical medications. Chiropractic physicians are limited to non-pharmacological interventions, including spinal adjustments, soft tissue techniques, rehabilitative exercises, nutritional counseling, and certain modalities like cold laser therapy or electrical muscle stimulation. If a condition requires medication, a chiropractor will refer the patient to a medical doctor or other prescribing provider.
Q: How can I verify a chiropractor’s license in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Department of Health maintains a free online license verification portal at tn.gov where anyone can search by practitioner name or license number. The database shows license status (active, retired, or disciplined), issue and expiration dates, and any disciplinary actions. Chiropractors are also required to display their license in a conspicuous location at their practice.