Statutory Structure, Definitions, and Board Authority
Domain 1: Statutory Structure, Definitions, and Board Authority
This domain tests how the Mississippi Chiropractic Practice Act is organized, which definitions control practice, and what authority the Mississippi State Board of Chiropractic Examiners may exercise. The Act is codified in Mississippi Code Title 73, Chapter 6, with operational detail supplied by Board rules.
Core structure
- The statute creates the Board and grants licensing, rulemaking, investigative, subpoena, and disciplinary authority.
- Definitions control scope: terms such as 'chiropractic,' 'chiropractic physician,' and 'practice of chiropractic' determine who may perform which acts. A Board rule cannot enlarge a statutory definition.
- The Board may investigate complaints, require records, hold contested-case hearings under the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Act, and impose sanctions authorized by statute.
- The Board is not a criminal prosecutor and cannot impose jail time; criminal referrals go to prosecutors.
Worked example
An applicant submits a degree from a school not recognized by the Board and argues that the statute only says 'chiropractic college.' The Board compares the statutory definition with its accreditation rule. Because the rule implements the statute and was adopted through APA notice-and-comment, the Board may deny the application. The applicant's remedy is an APA appeal, not a new Board vote.
Traps
Do not confuse Board authority with Mississippi State Department of Health authority. Do not assume 'chiropractic physician' authorizes medical prescribing. Do not ignore rulemaking procedure: a rule adopted without required notice may be invalid.