Number 6: Breaking the Mold: Vermont Board of Chiropractic’s Bold Exit from the FCLB
Originally published: 2025-01-02
In a groundbreaking move that has sent ripples through the chiropractic profession, the Chronicle reported in 2024 that the Vermont Board of Chiropractic voted unanimously to sever its ties with the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB). Ranked as the #6 chiropractic news story of the year, this decision is seen as a step toward dismantling entrenched monopolies and creating a regulatory framework that prioritizes fairness, inclusivity, and innovation.
The Catalyst for Change
The Vermont Board’s decision stems from a comprehensive evaluation of the costs, benefits, and value provided by FCLB membership. Board members questioned the necessity of continuing to allocate state tax dollars and resources to a private organization that operates without direct governmental oversight yet wields significant influence over chiropractic regulation.
At the heart of the criticism is the FCLB’s reliance on state funds and resources to advance its agenda, often in collaboration with the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) from which it receives hundreds of thousands of dollars of student loan money every year. The intertwined relationship between these organizations has raised concerns about transparency, accountability, ethics and the equitable use of state resources.
This scrutiny has been amplified by recent legal challenges, including a high-profile discrimination lawsuit against the FCLB and its leadership (also one of our Top Ten stories of 2024). Critics argue that the organization’s lack of oversight and its monopolistic tendencies are detrimental to the profession, limiting diversity and stifling innovation.
A History of Consolidation
The chiropractic profession’s regulatory framework has been shaped over decades by the alignment of the FCLB, NBCE, and the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE). While initially aimed at standardizing chiropractic education and practice, this consolidation has evolved into what many describe as a monopolistic structure.
The National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) has likened these entities to a "virtual cartel," exerting monopolistic control over chiropractic education, licensing, and regulation. This structure has marginalized conservative and diverse approaches to chiropractic care, favoring a centralized, one-size-fits-all model that many believe does not reflect the profession’s broad spectrum of philosophies and practices.
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The Vermont Board’s Bold Move
The Vermont Board’s withdrawal from the FCLB is a direct response to this perceived overreach. By stepping away, Vermont joins a growing movement within the profession advocating for diversity, fairness, and competition in chiropractic regulation. The decision underscores the following key points:
1. Financial Responsibility:
Vermont’s Board highlighted the unnecessary financial burden placed on state resources to support the FCLB, questioning whether the organization’s services truly benefit the state’s chiropractors and patients.
2. Accountability and Oversight:
The Board’s decision reflects concerns about the lack of regulatory oversight and transparency within the FCLB and its interconnected relationships with the NBCE and CCE.
3. Fostering Diversity:
Vermont’s move aligns with a broader push to decentralize power within the profession, creating space for diverse philosophies and practices to thrive.
A Growing Movement for Reform
The Vermont Board’s action resonates with a larger, industry-wide movement advocating for change. Over 50 chiropractic organizations, schools, and foundations have signed on to a series of Resolutions calling for freedom in chiropractic education, licensing, testing, and regulation. These Resolutions seek to:
• Remove exclusive endorsements of the CCE and NBCE from state regulations.
• Cease the flow of student loan money to fund the FCLB and similar entities.
• Promote competition and innovation within chiropractic education and testing.
By rejecting the status quo, the Vermont Board has become a symbol of this growing demand for reform.
Implications for the Future
The Vermont Board’s exit from the FCLB is a pivotal moment in chiropractic history. It reflects the growing dissatisfaction with centralized monopolies and highlights the need for a regulatory framework that embraces diversity, equity, and innovation. This decision will likely inspire other state boards to reevaluate their relationships with organizations like the FCLB and NBCE, potentially leading to a broader transformation of chiropractic regulation.
As the chiropractic profession stands at this crossroads, Vermont’s bold move serves as both a challenge and an inspiration. Will other state boards follow suit, or will they continue to support a system that many view as outdated and inequitable? The future of chiropractic regulation—and the profession itself—may well hinge on the answer to this question.
The Vermont Board’s departure from the FCLB is a call to action, urging stakeholders across the profession to reimagine a regulatory landscape that is fair, inclusive, and reflective of chiropractic’s rich diversity. As the sixth most significant story in 2024’s chiropractic news, it signals the beginning of a new chapter in the fight for equity and independence in chiropractic care.
