Which statement best describes the relationship between the Texas Chiropractic Act and TBCE rules?

• A. They are codified in the Texas Occupations Code and Texas Administrative Code.
• B. They are unrelated to one another.
• C. They apply only to radiology practices.
• D. They are federal regulations.

Answer: (A)

In Texas, professional regulation uses a statute-and-regulations framework. The Texas Chiropractic Act is the statute that creates the regulatory framework for chiropractic practice. The Board or agency then issues detailed rules to implement that statute. Those detailed regulations are published in the Texas Administrative Code as TBCE rules. In short, the Act provides the legal authority and broad requirements, while the TBCE rules describe the specifics needed to carry those requirements out. They are not federal regulations, and they are not unrelated; the TBCE rules directly implement the Act by spelling out licensure, scope of practice, discipline, and other standards within the appropriate code sections.