VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATION OF 
INDEPENDENT CHIROPRACTIC EDUCATORS
January 16, 2004



VOICE has undertaken a comprehensive examination of the Federation of Chiropractic 
Licensing Board¼s so-called „PACE¾ proposal under which the FCLB would assume a 
dominant role in chiropractic re-licensure and continuing education programs.  This study of 
the „PACE¾ concept began over a year ago and, in addition to a detailed section by section 
review of the proposal, the Study Group has conducted surveys of state boards, colleges 
and state associations to determine the level of understanding of this far-reaching proposal.
COCSA has gone on record as being opposed to this attempt of taking over administration 
of certification and usurping the rights of each state to function under their state regulations.
 
The findings by the group show many points of real concern.  Here are some of the key 
points:

_ The initiative will, at a minimum, add approximately $2 million to the cost of 
chiropractic postgraduate education annually, all of which will be passed on to the 
doctor in the field.  
_ The current PACE proposal states that each continuing education provider will be 
charged an initial $1,500 registration fee to apply and be considered for PACE 
recognition.  Additional charges per seminar will also be demanded.
_ The economic price will be especially painful to the chiropractic colleges, each one 
of which will be obliged to pay out approximately $150,000 annually, on average.  
_ This proposal appears to represent a completely unwarranted tax on doctors in 
practice, not to mention another layer of bureaucratic and financial demands on 
educators and educational institutions.
_ No evidence can be identified that indicates in any way that the quality of clinical 
practice or other professional elements will be enhanced through this cumbersome 
and expensive system.
_ The entrepreneurial aspects of the initiative in the interests of the FCLB should not 
be obscured or minimized by any body considering this proposal.  In this evaluation 
process, it is vital to consider whether the economic costs to the profession, levied 
in the form of obligatory added costs for continuing education, to the sole benefit of 
the FCLB, are in the profession¼s best interests.
_ The Study Group is particularly concerned over the potential restrictions and 
limitations to the free exchange of ideas inherent in the proposed approval process.  
_ The issue of examinations following seminars is especially problematic for the 
doctor in the field both because of the cost and because of the lack of any 
evidence to indicate that such a burden adds anything of substance to the 
educational experience.
_ The Study Group is also looking carefully at the representations of the FCLB 
regarding „PACE¾ and has found a number of major issues of concern.  There are 
elements in the marketing of the „PACE¾ proposal that have raised genuine alarm 
and strike at the initiative¼s overall credibility.  At the top of the list of concerns is an 
assertion by the „PACE¾ proponents that the criteria for approval of continuing 
education programs were „developed by the Council on Chiropractic Education¾ 
(CCE).  We have quite conclusive evidence to indicate this is simply false.  The 
Study Group has been in direct contact with CCE Board members who have 
indicated a similar findings and concerns.
_ The Study Group could find no basis for the argument that the „PACE¾ system 
would in any way enhance chiropractic¼s political status or positive profile.
_ In recent months a host of broad based organizations have taken a firm stand in 
opposition to the PACE proposal.  Those organizations include the Congress of 
Chiropractic State Organizations (COCSA), the International Chiropractors 
Association (ICA), the Federation of Straight Chiropractors and Organizations 
(FSCO), the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA), numerous state organizations and 
dozens of independent educators.  Numerous chiropractic colleges have also 
expressed opposition and all have expressed „concern¾ over the PACE proposal.

VOICE is asking all interested parties, including doctors in the field, state organizations 
specialty councils, local associations, educational institutions and continuing education 
providers to make their voices heard in this debate.  

It is vital that YOU TAKE A NUMBER OF ACTION STEPS TODAY!  VOICE urges you 
to:

_ Develop a formal statement on your position on PACE and share it with your 
colleagues, including any colleges and membership organizations with which 
you interact.  Also provide VOICE with a copy.

_ Inform the proponents of PACE, primary the Federation of Chiropractic 
Licensing Boards (FCLB) of your position and inform them that you have 
made the DECISION NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN PACE AND THAT YOU ARE 
URGING ALL OF YOUR COLLEAGUES TO TAKE THE SAME STANCE.

_ Be prepared to join with us in filing formal protests, and even litigation in any 
situation in which you are informed that you „must¾ be PACE approved for 
re-licensure credit by any state board.  No state board has legal authority to 
compel you to do so. 


FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:         Dr. Wayne Zemelka
                                                                           3904 Lillie Avenue
                                                                           Suite 6
                                                                           Davenport, IA 52806

                                                                           E-Mail: drwayne@netins.net
						563-386-8585