The Ontario Government has announced proposed changes that would expand scopes of practice for a range of health-care professionals. Please see the news release for further information.
The Ontario Ministry of Health is considering changes to legislation to allow chiropractors to order advanced diagnostics and is seeking input.
The changes being considered would allow chiropractors to order:
- sound waves for diagnostic ultrasound
- electromagnetism for magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs)
- computed tomography scans (CTs)
To ensure public protection, if these regulatory changes are made, members who want to order advanced diagnostics will have to comply with the CCO standards of practice regarding required training, knowledge, skills and judgement.
CCO welcomes this consultation and supports giving chiropractors the authority to order advanced diagnostics to enhance their ability to act within their existing scope of practice. These changes would improve access to care by eliminating barriers currently in place.
You can provide input to the consultation here.
CCO supports allowing chiropractors to order advanced imaging because
- it will increase access for all populations but particularly those who do not have a primary care provider (PCP)
- it will improve access to diagnosis and treatment for chiropractic patients
- it will eliminate visits to PCPs to obtain necessary imaging orders
- there is no risk as chiropractors are trained to order and interpret advanced diagnostics
- there is no additional cost to the health system but significant savings by eliminating unnecessary PCP visits
Please see the CCO Submissions to this consultation, dated October 31, 2025.