Chiropractic Permits & Licenses in Raleigh, NC

Proof of coverage via Form NCIC FS-1. Construction exemption not applicable here.

Required for all LLCs. Annual report filing also required ($200 fee, due by April 15 each year).

Must file in each county where business is conducted. Expires after 5 years; renewal $26.

Prerequisites: Graduation from CCE-accredited chiropractic college, passing NBCE Parts I-IV exams, NC jurisprudence exam, 1 year clinical residency or equivalent. Renewal fee $550 biennially; 20 hours CE required.

Required for each practice location. Must be issued to licensed chiropractor at that site; inspections may occur.

Chiropractors limited to Schedules II-V if authorized by Board rules. Federal DEA registration also required if applicable.

Form E-585. Most chiropractic services exempt, but products may be taxable. File returns monthly/quarterly.

Form NCUI-101. Quarterly tax reports required.

Required under North Carolina Financial Responsibility Act (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-309) for any vehicle registered to the business. Minimum liability coverage: $30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident, $25,000 property damage. Applies to LLC-owned vehicles used for patient transport, deliveries, or business operations.

Not mandated by North Carolina law, but strongly recommended for chiropractors who sell health-related products. Potential liability under product liability tort law if a product causes injury. May be covered under broader general liability policy.

A $10,000 surety bond is required for initial licensure and renewal of a chiropractic license in North Carolina. This is a license bond, not insurance, and protects the public against fraudulent or unlawful acts. Required under N.C. Admin. Code § 21O.0102. Applies to individual practitioners, not the LLC itself, but essential for operation.

Only applicable if the chiropractic business hosts events where alcohol is served or sold. Most chiropractic offices do not serve alcohol, so this is typically not required. If applicable, required by NC ABC as part of permit conditions.

Required for all LLCs, including single-member LLCs that have employees or elect corporate taxation. Chiropractic practices structured as LLCs must obtain an EIN regardless of employee count if they operate under partnership or corporate tax treatment. Even sole proprietors without employees may need an EIN if they use it for banking or insurance purposes.

By default, a single-member LLC is disregarded for federal tax purposes and reports income on Schedule C of Form 1040. Multi-member LLCs are treated as partnerships and must file Form 1065. All owners of chiropractic services income are subject to self-employment tax. This requirement is standard for all LLCs but particularly relevant for service-based health practices.

Chiropractic services are generally not subject to sales tax in North Carolina. However, if the business sells tangible personal property (e.g., orthotics, braces, supplements), a sales tax permit may be required. See N.C. Gen. Stat. § 105-164.13(1).

Required for all employers in North Carolina who withhold state income tax from employee wages. Registration is completed via Form NC-5 (Employer's Application for Withholding Tax Number).

Employers must register using the NC-1 form. New employers pay a standard rate of 1.0% on first $25,200 of each employee’s wages annually (up to $252 per employee). Rate may change after experience rating is established.

Applies to all LLCs electing corporate taxation or registered as S-corps. By default, multi-member LLCs are pass-through entities, but franchise tax still applies. Franchise tax is imposed on capital stock, surplus, and undivided profits. Minimum franchise tax is $150. See N.C. Gen. Stat. § 105-153.5.

Required for all LLCs with employees or that file corporate tax returns. Single-member LLCs with no employees may use owner's SSN, but EIN is recommended for privacy and banking purposes.

North Carolina General Statute § 105-164.3 authorizes cities and counties to impose a privilege license tax on businesses. Examples include Charlotte ($25/year), Raleigh ($50/year). Check with local clerk of court or tax office. Not all jurisdictions impose this tax.

Applies to chiropractic clinics with employees. Requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious harm. Specific risks may include ergonomic hazards from patient handling, needlestick injuries (if using acupuncture), or exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Clinics must comply with OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) if staff handle contaminated sharps or bodily fluids.

Chiropractors who perform acupuncture or other invasive procedures must comply. Includes requirements for exposure control plans, personal protective equipment (PPE), training, and hepatitis B vaccination. Even non-invasive practices may trigger this if staff clean bodily fluids.

All chiropractic offices are public accommodations under ADA Title III. Must ensure physical access (e.g., ramps, door widths), accessible exam tables, communication access (e.g., for patients with hearing or vision impairments), and policy modifications. Applies regardless of number of employees or size of practice.

Federal RCRA regulations apply if the chiropractic practice generates hazardous waste (e.g., chemical waste). Most medical waste (like sharps) is regulated at the state level, but federal rules apply to hazardous waste disposal. Chiropractors using acupuncture must comply with hazardous waste rules if disposing of contaminated materials. North Carolina follows EPA guidelines but enforces through NC DEQ.

Chiropractic clinics must avoid deceptive or unsubstantiated advertising claims (e.g., "cure for cancer" or "guaranteed pain relief"). FTC enforces against false health claims under Section 5 of the FTC Act. Specific FTC actions have targeted chiropractors for misleading online ads and testimonials. Applies to websites, social media, and promotional materials.

All chiropractic clinics with employees must complete Form I-9 to verify identity and work authorization. Employers must retain forms for 3 years after hire or 1 year after employment ends, whichever is later. Applies to all U.S. employers, including LLCs.

Requires payment of federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour) and overtime (1.5x regular rate for hours over 40/week). Applies to chiropractic assistants, receptionists, and other staff. Chiropractors themselves are typically exempt professionals. Employers must maintain accurate time and payroll records.

Requires covered employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying medical and family reasons. Most small chiropractic practices do not meet the 50-employee threshold, but larger group practices may. Applies only if the condition trigger is met.

Chiropractors commonly use Class I and II medical devices (e.g., TENS units, adjusting tools). Must use only FDA-cleared devices for intended purposes. Prohibited from modifying or re-labeling devices without approval. Advertising must not make unapproved claims (e.g., "treats cancer").

All chiropractic practices that handle patient health information in electronic form (e.g., billing, EMRs, email) are HIPAA-covered entities. Must implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards. Requires a Notice of Privacy Practices, Business Associate Agreements (BAAs), and breach reporting within 60 days. Applies regardless of practice size.

Chiropractic services are exempt from sales tax. However, sales of durable medical equipment may be taxable unless prescribed and billed through a licensed healthcare provider. See NCDOR Sales Tax Bulletin ST-441 (Medical Equipment and Devices).

All chiropractors must hold an active, current license from the NC Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Requires graduation from an accredited DC program, passing the NBCE exam, and application. Renewal required every two years.

All LLCs conducting business in NC must file an annual report and pay a fee (varies by revenue). Fee is $203 for 2024 if gross receipts > $200K or net income > $50K. Required even if no income.

Chiropractic classified under professional services; apply online via CLTcc portal

Must verify zoning district allows medical offices (e.g., NS, UR districts)

Limited to 25% of home; no external signage; chiropractic consults allowed if low traffic

Chiropractic offices require exam room compliance with NC Building Code

Max height 25 ft in commercial zones; illuminated signs allowed

Requires extinguishers, exits, no storage in corridors

Chiropractic office classified as Business (B-2 occupancy)

Monitored systems must register with county; annual testing required

Professional services like chiropractic require state license verification

Medical offices permitted in Neighborhood Mixed, Commercial Mixed zones

Chiropractic exempt from gross receipts if no retail sales

Includes hazardous materials review (e.g., x-ray equipment)

Mandatory for all employers with three or more employees in North Carolina, including corporate officers. Chiropractors with fewer than three employees are exempt unless they choose to cover themselves. Applies to LLCs with employees. Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-94.

While not explicitly mandated in statute, the North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners requires proof of professional liability insurance as a condition of license renewal. This is considered a de facto requirement for practice. Coverage must be at least $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate. Source: NCBCE Rules .1302 and License Renewal Application.

Not legally required by North Carolina state law for chiropractic practices, but strongly recommended and often contractually required by commercial landlords or management agreements. Covers slip-and-fall and other third-party injury claims on premises.