Utah Code § 58-73-601

Scope of practice for a chiropractic physician
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(1) A chiropractic physician licensed under this chapter may engage in the practice of chiropractic
as defined in Section 58-73-102 in accordance with the following standards.
(2) A chiropractic physician may:
(a) examine, diagnose, and treat only within the scope of chiropractic as described in this
Subsection (2);
(b)
(i) use x-ray for diagnostic purposes only; and
(ii) order, for diagnostic purposes only:
(A) ultrasound;
(B) magnetic resonance imaging; and
(C) computerized tomography;
(c) administer:
(i) physical agents, including light, heat, cold, water, air, sound, compression, electricity, and
electromagnetic radiation except gamma radiation; and
(ii) physical activities and devices, including:
(A) exercise with and without devices;
(B) joint mobilization;
(C) mechanical stimulation;
(D) postural drainage;
(E) traction;
(F) positioning;
(G) wound debridement, cleansing, and dressing changes;
(H) splinting;
(I) training in locomotion and other functional activities with and without assistance devices;
and
(J) correction of posture, body mechanics, and gait;
(d) administer the following topically applied medicinal agents, including steroids, anesthetics,
coolants, and analgesics for wound care and for musculoskeletal treatment, including their
use by iontophoresis or phonophoresis;
(e) treat pain incident to major or minor surgery, cancer, obstetrics, or x-ray therapy;
(f) utilize immobilizing appliances, casts, and supports for support purposes, but may not set
displaced bone fractures;
(g) inform the patient of possible side effects of medication and recommend referral to the
prescribing practitioner;
(h) provide instruction in the use of physical measures, activities, and devices for preventive and
therapeutic purposes;
(i) provide consulting, educational, and other advisory services for the purposes of reducing the
incidence and severity of physical disability, movement dysfunctions, bodily malfunction, and
pain;
(j) treat a human being to assess, prevent, correct, alleviate, and limit physical disability,
movement dysfunction, bodily malfunction, and pain resulting from disorders, congenital and
aging conditions, injury, and disease; and
(k) administer, interpret, and evaluate tests.
(3) A chiropractic physician may not:

(a) perform incisive surgery;
(b) administer drugs or medicines for which an authorized prescription is required by law except
as provided in Subsection (2)(d);
(c) treat cancer;
(d) practice obstetrics;
(e) prescribe or administer x-ray therapy; or
(f) set displaced fractures.
(4) A chiropractic physician shall assume responsibility for the chiropractic physician's
examinations, diagnoses, and treatment.
(5) Nothing in this section authorizes a chiropractic physician to prescribe, possess for dispensing,
dispense, purchase without a prescription written by a licensed and authorized practitioner, or
administer, except under Subsection (2)(d), a drug requiring a prescription to dispense, under
Chapter 17b, Pharmacy Practice Act, or Chapter 37, Controlled Substances.
(6) Only primary health care providers licensed under this title as osteopathic physicians,
physicians and surgeons, naturopaths, and chiropractic physicians, may diagnose, adjust,
manipulate, or therapeutically position the articulation of the spinal column to the extent
permitted by their scopes of practice.

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