Chiropractic Chronicle Archive

Number 2: Chiropractic Freedom Coalition - Championing Freedom in Education, Licensing, and Practice

Originally published: 2025-01-03

In a landmark achievement, the Chiropractic Freedom Coalition (CFC) has united over 50 diverse signatories—including national and international trade associations, state chiropractic organizations, private companies, schools, foundations, and technique groups—representing tens of thousands of chiropractors globally. This coalition has become a formidable force in the fight against monopolistic practices in chiropractic education, licensing, and regulation, earning its place as Number 2 on the list of The Chronicle’s Top Ten stories of 2024.

A Coalition for Change

The CFC’s mission is clear: to restore freedom to chiropractic education, licensing and practice by removing the monopolistic language in state statutes, rules, and regulations that designate the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) and the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) as the sole accrediting and testing entities, and to challenge the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards’ (FCLB) role as the de facto police of the profession. These entities, operating as a "virtual cartel," not only dominate the profession but also actively participate in the secretive, invitation-only meetings of the Chiropractic Summit Group. These gatherings, held without transparency, raise significant concerns about conflicts of interest as they allow these entities to consolidate their control and make decisions affecting the entire profession without broader representation. This cartel-like structure has created a stranglehold on the profession, marginalizing philosophical diversity and fostering an environment rife with ethical breaches, restraint of trade, and corruption.

The Coalition's broad, diverse, and global support underscores the urgent need for reform and signals a growing consensus that the current system no longer serves the chiropractic profession or its patients.

The Monopoly Problem

The Chiropractic Freedom Coalition has highlighted how the CCE, NBCE, and FCLB have leveraged their positions to create monopolistic control over chiropractic education, testing, and state regulatory boards. This control has been further entrenched by the funneling of federally backed student loan money and state tax dollars into these entities, ensuring their dominance and enabling them to prioritize their interests over the broader needs of the profession. This cartel-like structure stifles competition and innovation, while reinforcing a singular narrative of what chiropractic care should be.

• Monopolistic Language: Many state regulations explicitly require "CCE-only" or "NBCE-only" compliance for licensure, leaving no room for competing accrediting or testing bodies which restrains trade.

• Ethical Concerns: The consolidation of power among these entities has led to questionable practices, such as using federally backed student loans and state resources to perpetuate their dominance.

• Marginalization of Conservative Chiropractic: Conservative practitioners, especially those focused on vertebral subluxation and traditional chiropractic principles, have been sidelined, limiting philosophical diversity and patient choice.

Coalition Achievements

The Chiropractic Freedom Coalition has made significant strides in its fight for reform, including:

1. Broad-Based Support: Garnering endorsements from over 50 organizations spanning multiple continents, representing a wide spectrum of chiropractic philosophies and practices.

2. Policy Advocacy: Actively working with state associations to remove monopolistic language from statutes, rules, and regulations. The Coalition’s resolutions call for eliminating the exclusive use of CCE and NBCE language, advocating for a more inclusive, competitive marketplace.

3. Raising Awareness: Bringing global attention to the structural inequities in chiropractic education and regulation. Through public campaigns and strategic partnerships, the Coalition has become a beacon of hope for practitioners who feel marginalized by the current system.

A Movement Rooted in Freedom

The Chiropractic Freedom Coalition's work reflects a deep commitment to the foundational principles of chiropractic—freedom, innovation, and ethical practice. By challenging the dominance of the CCE, NBCE, and FCLB, the Coalition is not just advocating for a fairer system but also protecting the integrity of the profession for future generations.

Global Representation: The Coalition’s signatories include:

• National organizations such as the Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation, American College of Addictionology & Compulsive Disorders and the Principled Chiropractic Association.

• State associations like the Florida Chiropractic Society, Georgia Chiropractic Council, Palmetto State Chiropractic Association and Chiropractic Society of Texas.

• International groups including the International Federation of Chiropractors and Organizations (IFCO), International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), TOP Chiro and Alliance of Chiropractic Singapore.

• Diverse Voices: This impressive roster reflects a wide array of perspectives within chiropractic, uniting under a shared goal of ending monopolistic practices.

CLICK HERE for a complete list

Call to Action

The Chiropractic Freedom Coalition’s accomplishments are not just milestones; they are a call to action. The fight against monopoly, restraint of trade and for freedom in chiropractic is far from over. The Coalition urges state and national chiropractic organizations to join this historic movement. As they highlight, failing to support these resolutions reveals where an organization’s values truly lie—either in support of freedom and diversity or in complicity with monopolistic control.

Why This Matters

The chiropractic profession stands at a crossroads. The dominance of a small group of entities has led to widespread disillusionment and inequity. Yet, the Chiropractic Freedom Coalition’s achievements offer a blueprint for how the profession can move forward—toward a future of competition, innovation, and fairness.

The CFC’s remarkable success in uniting chiropractors worldwide demonstrates the power of collective action. Their efforts to restore integrity and freedom to chiropractic education, testing, licensing, and regulation are reshaping the profession and ensuring its longevity for future generations.

As the year draws to a close, the Chiropractic Freedom Coalition’s story serves as a powerful reminder that change is possible when principled individuals and organizations unite for a common cause. Their work not only represents one of the most important developments in chiropractic this year but also lays the groundwork for a freer, fairer, and more ethical profession.

CLICK HERE to learn more about this movement and how you can help