Licensing & Renewal Requirements
Whether you are a Chiropractor (DC), Chiropractic Technician (CT), Chiropractic Radiological Technician (CRT) - or are looking to become one - review the requirements below on the appropriate tab.
The required renewal date for the DC, CT and CRT credentials is December 15 of each even-numbered year. This 2-year period, or biennium, allows you the time to take continuing education courses to maintain your license and refresh your skills.
If you received your initial credential during the current biennium, you do not need any Continuing Education (CE) hours. However, you are still required to renew your license by December 15.
Chiropractor (DC)
Initial Licensing
Requirements for initial licensing can be found on the Department of Safety and Professional Services' (DSPS) website.
License Renewal
For license renewal, you will need:
- 40 hours of approved continuing education (CE) each biennium.
- 2 of the 40 hours must be for Professional Boundaries
- 4 of the 40 CE hours must be approved Nutrition hours to maintain Chiropractic Nutrition Certification
- Up to 8 of the 40 CE hours can be done online
- You must keep your CPR/AED certification current by completing a program approved by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). Approved providers can be found on the DHS License Certification page.
If you only attended a portion of a course, you only received CEs for the time you attended. If the DSPS system shows a different number of hours than what you completed when you entered the approval code, you are on your honor to be sure you have actually completed the required hours. If you were to be audited, you would need to produce the certificates of attendance to verify what you submitted.
Chiropractic Technician (CT)
Initial Licensing
If you are interested in obtaining a Chiropractic Technician (CT) license, you must complete a 12-hour course for initial certification. It includes topics about chiropractic scope of practice, basic musculoskeletal anatomy, patient history, vital signs and physiological therapeutics utilized in an office setting. Once you are certified, your Chiropractor is allowed to delegate certain duties to you, such as taking patient histories and checking vitals. All requirements on initial licensing can be found on the Department of Safety and Professional Services' (DSPS) website.
In addition to the 12 hour course, CTs must become certified in the therapeutic modalities (called "specialties" by DSPS) they plan to perform in the office, such as Electrotherapy, Ultrasound and Light Therapy. We encourage all students to complete all the modules to better understand the full scope of CT delegation. Modules consist of a review of each of the modalities/therapies, followed by complete instruction in the performance of the given therapy along with hands-on practice. Each module includes a final exam.
License Renewal
For license renewal you will need:
- 6 hours of state-approved CT continuing education (CE) each biennium
- Up to 2 of the 6 hours can be done online
- A previously certified CT may attend 6 hours of the CT Certification program to obtain the 6 hours required for CT certification renewal
If you are both a CT and a CRT, you may satisfy the CE requirement for both licenses at the same time if the course you take is approved for both credentials.
Adding Therapeutic Modalities
If you are interested in adding other therapeutic modalities to your CT license, the WCA offers classes in the following therapeutics:
- Light Therapy and Cold Laser
- Mechanical Therapy
- Electrotherapy
- Ultrasound
- Thermotherapy and Cryotherapy
- Exercise Rehabilitation
Certified Radiological Technician (CRT)
Initial Licensing
If you are interested in obtaining a Chiropractic Radiological Technician (CRT) license, you must complete a 48-hour course and pass a final exam for initial certification which allows you to take X-rays. All requirements on initial licensing can be found on the Department of Safety and Professional Services' (DSPS) website .
The course includes instruction on the following:
- Basic Principles of X-rays
- Film Handling & Processing
- Radiography & Chiropractic
- Introductory Anatomy
- Patient Positioning
- Radiation Protection
- X-ray Exposure Factors
License Renewal
For license renewal, you will need:
- 12 hours of state-approved CRT continuing education (CE) each biennium
- Up to 2 of the 12 hours can be done online
- A previously certified CRT may attend 12 hours of the CRT Radiology program to obtain the 12 hours required for CRT certification renewal
If you are both a CT and a CRT, you may satisfy the CE requirement for both licenses at the same time if the course you take is approved for both credentials.
Biennium Ends December 14, 2026
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WCA Quick Links
- License Renewal Checklist
- Check Your CE Hours (WCA)
- CE Calendar
DSPS Quick Links
- Sign in to LicensE
- LicensE FAQ's
- CPR/AED Classes & Providers
- LicensE Lookup