Quick answer: Texas chiropractors are licensed by the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners (TBCE). Look the person up for free on the board’s online license verification portal, make sure the name matches, and confirm the license shows an active status. Questions? Call the board at (512) 305-6700.
A chiropractor works with your spine and joints. That is a good reason to spend five minutes checking a license before your first visit. It matters even more after a car accident, when you may be hurting, rushed and getting calls from people you never contacted. This guide shows you how to run the lookup, what each status means, what the board’s records do and do not show, and how to file a complaint.
In this guide
How to look up a chiropractor’s license, step by step
Step 1: Get the chiropractor’s full name
Ask the office for the full legal name of the chiropractor who will treat you. Clinics often go by a business name, but licenses are issued to people. If the office will give you a license number, write it down too.
Step 2: Open the TBCE verification portal
Go to the TBCE license verification portal. You can also start from the board’s website at tbce.texas.gov. The search is free and no account is needed. The portal can load slowly, so give it a moment.
Step 3: Match the right person
Search and compare the results to what you know. Check the spelling of the name and the city. If two people share a name, use the license number to be sure you have the right one.
Step 4: Read the status and any listed actions
Look for an active license. Then look for any disciplinary actions or board orders on the record. Use the table below to read the status.
Step 5: Check the Texas Medical Board too
The Texas Medical Board has issued cease and desist orders to some chiropractors, for things like practicing medicine without a license. Those orders may not appear on the TBCE record. Search the name on the TMB’s Search Board Actions page as well.
License status: what it means
The board tracks licenses in categories like the ones below. The exact wording on the portal may differ.
| What you see | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Active | The license is current. This is what you want to see. |
| Probation | The person is licensed but practicing under board conditions after discipline. Look for the board order and read it. |
| CE Conditional | Relates to continuing education requirements. Call the board to ask what it means for that person. |
| Inactive or Retired | The person should not be treating patients in Texas under that license. |
| Expired or Non-Renewable | The license is not current. Do not book until the board confirms the person can practice. |
| Revoked or Surrendered | The person cannot practice chiropractic in Texas. Look elsewhere. |
| No record found | Try other spellings and the license number. If nothing turns up, call the board before your visit. |
What a Texas chiropractic license covers
Texas has one main license: Doctor of Chiropractic, shown as D.C. Under Chapter 201 of the Texas Occupations Code, a chiropractor can examine and evaluate the spine and musculoskeletal system. A chiropractor can also perform nonsurgical procedures such as adjustment and manipulation.
What it does not cover
- Surgery or any incisive procedure
- Prescribing controlled substances or any prescription drug
- X-ray therapy or therapy that exposes the body to radioactive material
If a chiropractor offers prescriptions or injections, or claims to treat conditions like diabetes, ask questions. Those are among the issues the Texas Medical Board has acted on.
Other credentials
Some Texas chiropractors hold an acupuncture certification under board rules. The board also handles complaints about chiropractic radiological technologists. Texas used to register chiropractic facilities, but a 2017 law (Senate Bill 304) ended facility registration. So the person’s license is the thing to check, not the clinic.
Discipline and complaints
What the lookup shows, and what it may not
The board can revoke or suspend a license, place a chiropractor on probation, issue a reprimand or impose a fine. Serious actions should appear on the verification record.
Not every action is public, though. In a May 2026 KXAN report, the board’s executive director said a 2019 rule means only reportable disciplinary actions are published on the verification page. Minor, fine-only administrative matters, like a late renewal, are not shown. A clean record is a good sign. It is not a full history.
How to file a complaint
Complaints must be in writing on the board’s complaint form. You can use the online complaint portal, or send the form by email, fax or mail. To ask for a form or get help, call 1-800-821-3205 or (512) 305-6708. The mailing address listed by the Texas Attorney General is:
Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Compliance and Investigations Division, 1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 10.500, Austin, TX 78701.
Know before you file: under the 2017 law, the board does not accept anonymous complaints. It must generally tell the chiropractor who filed, unless that would hurt the investigation. The board must protect your identity as much as it can.
Need a chiropractor in West Texas? Send a free request and we pass it to a participating local chiropractor. Free, no obligation.
What else to check before your first visit
- Ask about cost up front. Get the price of the first visit, X-rays and follow-up visits. Ask if they bill your insurance.
- Ask for a treatment plan. A clear plan says how many visits, over what time, and how you will know it is working.
- Know when to see a medical doctor. Numbness, weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, severe headache or pain after a fall or crash need a medical exam. Go to a doctor or the ER first.
After a car accident
Get checked by a medical doctor first, especially if you hit your head or the pain is getting worse. Keep copies of every bill and record. Talk to your own insurance company about what your policy covers before you sign anything. If a clinic or a stranger calls you out of the blue after a wreck, you do not have to say yes. You can always pick your own provider and check the license first. Our guide to seeing a chiropractor after a car accident in Texas covers the next steps.
Red flags
- No license record, or a status other than active
- The office will not give you the chiropractor’s full name
- Pressure to sign a long, prepaid treatment package on day one
- Uninvited calls or visits after a car accident
- Promises to cure diseases, or offers of prescriptions or injections
- Advice to skip a medical doctor for serious symptoms
Frequently asked questions
Is the Texas chiropractor license lookup free?
Yes. The TBCE verification portal is free and does not require an account.
What is the TBCE phone number?
The main number is (512) 305-6700. For complaints, call 1-800-821-3205 or (512) 305-6708.
Does the lookup show every complaint or fine?
No. Complaints are kept confidential during investigation. The board’s executive director has said only reportable disciplinary actions are published, so minor fine-only matters do not appear.
Can a chiropractor licensed in another state treat me in Texas?
Not without a Texas license. Texas does not offer reciprocity, so out-of-state chiropractors must apply for a Texas license.
Can a Texas chiropractor prescribe medication?
No. Texas law does not allow chiropractors to prescribe prescription drugs or perform surgery.
Can I file an anonymous complaint against a chiropractor?
No. The board does not accept anonymous complaints, but it must protect your identity as much as possible.
How do I check a chiropractor licensed in more than one state?
Check each state’s board. The Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards lists every state board and offers a disciplinary report service. Check its site for current terms.
Looking for a chiropractor in your city?
We have local pages for Abilene, Midland, Odessa, San Angelo, Lubbock, Amarillo, Wichita Falls, Waco and Tyler. Hiring other help? See our guide to checking a plumber’s license in Texas.
Board procedures, phone numbers and website features can change. Confirm current details on the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners website. This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice.
Dealing with frequent headaches? See what research says about chiropractors for headaches and migraines.