(a) The Arkansas State Board of Chiropractic Examiners may establish a chiropractic extern program to allow chiropractic graduates to practice in a licensed chiropractor's office until the graduate is licensed to practice chiropractic in this state.
(b) Any graduate from a chiropractic school accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education or similar government-approved organization is eligible to be involved in the extern program for a maximum of two (2) years from the date of graduation.
(c) Any licensed chiropractor may serve as a preceptor in the extern program upon satisfying criteria established by the board.
(d)
(1) Applications to participate in the chiropractic extern program as a preceptor or an extern shall be made to the board in writing on forms furnished by the board.
(2) Each preceptor shall submit a registration fee of one hundred dollars ($100) with the application.
(3) Each extern shall submit a registration fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) with the application.
(4) Each extern shall pay tuition of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per month for each month the extern is participating in the extern program.
(5) Each extern shall be fairly compensated for his or her services by the preceptor.
(e)
(1) Chiropractic externs may assist chiropractors in the performance of those duties that are lawful and ethical, including, but not limited to, physical examinations, patient consultations, X-ray examinations, specific chiropractic adjustment procedures, and physical therapeutic approaches, as appropriate.
(2) Chiropractic externs may not diagnose a condition nor prescribe a healthcare regimen, nor sign insurance forms or any other forms which require a licensed chiropractor's signature.
(3) All duties of a chiropractic extern shall be performed under the direct supervision of a licensed chiropractor.