Chiropractic Permits & Licenses in San Jose, California

Chiropractic services exempt from sales tax, but products are taxable. Free online registration.

Required for all LLCs. Online filing available via bizfile.sos.ca.gov.

Required for all LLCs. Biennial renewal.

Prerequisites: CA Board-approved doctoral degree, 4,000 hrs training including 1,000 patient treatments, pass national NBCE exams Parts I-IV + CA law/ethics exam + CPR cert. Required for practitioners.

Required for each physical office location where chiropractic services provided. Must be issued to licensed chiropractor.

LLCs using DBA must file with county clerk where principal place of business is located AND publish in newspaper (if required by county). Statewide filing optional via SOS.

Required for all LLCs taxed as partnerships or corporations, or with employees. Apply online.

Chiropractic services are generally not subject to California sales tax as they are considered medical services. However, if the business sells items such as orthopedic devices, supplements, or braces that are not integral to treatment, those sales may be taxable and require registration. See CDTFA Publication 107, 'Medical and Health Services.'

All employers in California must register with CDTFA to withhold state income tax from employee wages. This includes chiropractic practices with hired staff such as assistants or administrative personnel.

Employers must pay Unemployment Insurance tax on the first $7,000 in wages per employee annually. Rate varies by experience rating, starting at 1.5% for new employers.

All LLCs doing business in California must pay an annual $800 minimum franchise tax, plus a gross receipts fee if total income exceeds $250,000. See CDTFA Regulation 18651. Effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2022.

In addition to the $800 minimum franchise tax, LLCs must pay a fee based on gross revenue. The fee is not income-based but calculated on total income. See CDTFA Regulation 18651. Effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2022.

Most cities and counties in California require a business license or tax registration for all businesses, including professional practices. Fees and requirements vary (e.g., Los Angeles: https://lacity.org, San Diego: https://www.sandiego.gov). Contact local city clerk or county tax office for specifics.

Required for all businesses; chiropractors classified under professional services

Separate from county; applies to LLCs providing chiropractic services

Verify use complies with LA Municipal Code Section 12.04 (Zoning); home-based conditional

Limited to 25% of home; no patients on-site per Title 22 Zoning Code Sec. 22.184

Required under LA Municipal Code Chapter IX, Article 1; ADA compliance mandatory

Comply with LA Municipal Code Sec. 91.6205 size/setback rules

Required under 2020 LA Fire Code Chapter 1; annual renewal for certain occupancies

LA Municipal Code Sec. 91.106; Group B occupancy for medical offices

Required per LA Fire Code Sec. 907 for Business (B) occupancy

Generally not applicable to standard chiropractic; verify if hydrotherapy used

Chiropractic typically permitted in NC/NCV zones per Planning Code Article 7

Required for all employers in California with at least one employee, including part-time and family members. Sole proprietors without employees are exempt. Chiropractors who employ assistants, receptionists, or other staff must carry coverage. Enforced under California Labor Code § 3700.

Not legally required by California state law for chiropractic practices, but strongly recommended. Often required by landlords, lenders, or professional associations. May be necessary for malpractice claims involving premises liability. Regulated indirectly through private contracts.

Not legally required by California law for chiropractors, but strongly recommended. While California does not mandate professional liability insurance for chiropractors specifically, many malpractice carriers bundle it with general liability. Required for participation in some health networks or group practices. Enforced through private contracts rather than statute.

A $25,000 surety bond is required by the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners for all licensed chiropractors under Business and Professions Code § 493. This applies to individual practitioners, not the LLC entity itself. The bond ensures compliance with state laws and regulations. Can be waived if the licensee provides a $25,000 cash deposit instead.

Required for any vehicle registered to the LLC. Minimum liability coverage: $15,000 for injury/death per person, $30,000 per accident, $5,000 for property damage. Higher limits recommended for commercial use. Applies regardless of business type if vehicle is used for business purposes.

Not legally mandated by California law, but highly recommended if the chiropractic business sells or distributes products. Potential liability under California Civil Code and product safety laws. Risk increases if selling dietary supplements or medical devices. No state-mandated minimum coverage.

Only applicable if the chiropractic office hosts events where alcohol is served. Most chiropractic practices do not serve alcohol, so this is typically not required. If alcohol is served without a license or proper insurance, penalties apply under ABC regulations.

Not statutorily mandated for all chiropractors, but strongly recommended and often required by contracts or EHR providers. Covers legal defense, notification costs, and regulatory fines related to data breaches. Required under evolving interpretations of California’s privacy laws.

Required for all LLCs, including single-member LLCs that are disregarded entities, for tax reporting purposes. Chiropractic practices structured as LLCs must have an EIN even if no employees are present.

As an LLC, a chiropractic business is typically treated as a disregarded entity (for single-member) or partnership (for multi-member) unless it elects corporate taxation. Profits are passed through to owners’ personal tax returns. Owners must pay self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare) via Schedule SE.

Applies to chiropractic clinics with employees. Employers must provide a workplace free from recognized hazards. Specific requirements include injury and illness recordkeeping (OSHA Form 300) if over 10 employees or in certain industries (chiropractic care is not on the exemption list for recordkeeping). Bloodborne pathogens training required if handling bodily fluids (e.g., minor bleeding from adjustments).

All chiropractic offices open to the public must comply with ADA Title III, including physical access (ramps, door widths, restrooms), accessible medical equipment (e.g., exam tables with height adjustability), and communication access (e.g., for patients with hearing or vision impairments). Applies regardless of number of employees.

Chiropractic practices typically do not generate large volumes of hazardous waste. However, if using needles (e.g., for trigger point injections where permitted), sharps must be disposed of in accordance with RCRA Subtitle C. Most routine chiropractic care does not involve regulated waste, but state rules (e.g., Cal/OSHA) may be stricter.

Chiropractic businesses must ensure all advertising (websites, flyers, social media) is truthful and not misleading. FTC enforces against unsubstantiated claims (e.g., “cures back pain” without evidence). Claims must be supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence, especially for health outcomes.

All employers, including chiropractic LLCs, must complete Form I-9 for each employee to verify identity and work authorization. E-Verify is not mandatory unless federal contract requires it.

Applies to chiropractic clinics with employees. Requires payment of federal minimum wage ($7.25/hr), overtime (1.5x regular rate after 40 hours), and proper classification of exempt vs. non-exempt employees. Chiropractors themselves are typically exempt professionals under FLSA §13(a)(1).

Requires eligible employees to be granted up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying medical or family reasons. Most small chiropractic practices are exempt due to employee count, but must post required notice (available at https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/whd/posters/fmla.pdf).

Chiropractors commonly use Class I or II medical devices (e.g., TENS units, adjusting tools). These must be used in accordance with FDA labeling and not modified for unapproved uses. Devices must be registered with FDA if manufactured or reprocessed, but not for standard clinical use.

Applies to vendors of personal health records not governed by HIPAA. While most chiropractic practices are HIPAA-covered entities, those using non-HIPAA-compliant digital tools for patient data may fall under FTC jurisdiction. Requires notification to patients, FTC, and media (if >500 affected) in case of breach.

Chiropractic practices that bill electronically (e.g., to Medicare, insurance) are considered covered entities under HIPAA. Must implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards for PHI, conduct risk assessments, train staff, and provide patient notices of privacy practices.

Required for all California LLCs. Filed with the CA Secretary of State. Example: If formed in March 2024, initial due by June 30, 2024; next due by March 31, 2026.

All licensed chiropractors must renew every two years. Renewal cycle determined by birth month and license number. Online renewal available via BreEZe system.

Must be completed during each biennial renewal cycle. Courses must be approved by CBCE. Documentation must be retained for 4 years.

Single-member LLCs taxed as disregarded entities report income on owner’s personal return (Form 1040). Multi-member LLCs file Form 1065. Payroll taxes (Form 941) due quarterly. Form 940 (federal unemployment) due by January 31 annually.

All California LLCs must pay $800 annual franchise tax, except in the first year of operation (waived under SB 147 as of 2022–2023; reinstated Jan 1, 2024). Subsequent years: $800 due annually.

Mandatory for all employers in California, even if only one employee. Coverage must be from an approved insurer or through self-insurance (rare for small businesses).

Original, unexpired license must be displayed at the principal place of business. Also required: 'This office complies with AB 2536' sign if treating minors, and federal/state labor law posters.

Required posters include CA Paid Family Leave, CA Minimum Wage, CA Workers’ Comp, Federal OSHA, and EEOC notices. Must be in conspicuous location accessible to employees.

Most California cities require a business operations tax certificate. Contact local city hall or county clerk for exact deadline and fee. Example: City of San Diego renews July 1 annually.

Required under California Fire Code (Title 19). Frequency determined by local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). Includes egress, fire extinguishers, alarms, and hazardous materials storage.

Required written program includes training, hazard communication, incident investigation, and recordkeeping. Must be accessible to employees.

Exempt if fewer than 10 employees or in low-risk industry (chiropractic may qualify for exemption). Form 300A must be certified and posted even if no incidents occurred.

Chiropractors are HIPAA-covered entities. Must conduct annual risk analysis, train staff, maintain Business Associate Agreements, and report breaches. Enforced by OCR.

Includes tax returns, payroll records, licenses, CE certificates, HIPAA documentation, and patient records (retain 7 years under CA law).

Most chiropractors do not require DEA registration. Only needed if prescribing muscle relaxants or other Schedule IV drugs (uncommon).

Effective July 1, 2022. Required for first-time license renewal after initial DEA registration. Not routinely applicable to chiropractors.