Legislation that would allow chiropractic students to gain practical experience before graduating has advanced in the New Jersey Senate. The Senate Commerce Committee approved a bill sponsored by Senator Vince Polistina (R-2) aimed at giving students hands-on training under the supervision of licensed chiropractors.
Senator Polistina explained the purpose of the bill, stating, “Allowing chiropractic students to do real-world work under licensed chiropractors would give them invaluable experience to strengthen their clinical skills. The preceptor program permitted under this bill will help students learn directly from medical professionals, improving patient safety and supporting a smoother transition into the workforce. By becoming more comfortable with your surroundings in a clinical setting before graduation, students would be more likely to stay in New Jersey and build their careers here.”
The proposed legislation, S-196, mandates that the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners permit final-year chiropractic medicine students to participate in a preceptorship program. This program would require direct supervision by a board-approved chiropractor who is licensed in New Jersey.
Students interested in participating must apply to the board for a limited license specifically for involvement in the preceptorship.
The full text of the bill is available online.
