About the Board of Chiropractic Examiners

 

The Board of Chiropractic Examiners (BCE) regulates the chiropractic profession in California. We protect Californians from licensed and unlicensed individuals who engage in the fraudulent, negligent, or incompetent practice of chiropractic. The BCE oversees approximately 14,000 licensees and 19 chiropractic schools and colleges located throughout the United States and Canada.

 

The BCE was created on December 21, 1922, as the result of an initiative measure approved by the people on November 7, 1922. Governed by a seven member board appointed by the Governor, the board is comprised of five licensed doctors of chiropractic and two members who represent the public. Board members serve four year terms. The board employs an executive officer to lead a professional staff responsible for licensing, continuing education, enforcement, administrative, and other regulatory responsibilities. The executive officer serves at the pleasure of the board.

 

The BCE’s annual budget is funded exclusively by the profession through licensing and other regulatory fees. The BCE does not receive any general fund monies. The BCE allocates approximately 70% of its total operating budget to enforcement related activities.

 

Board Members

 

 

HUGH LUBKIN, D.C., Chair

Dr. Hugh Lubkin, D.C., of Elk Grove, was initially appointed to the BCE by Governor Schwarzenegger on February 28th, 2007 and re-appointed to a second term, on February 25, 2010.  Since 1991 Lubkin has owned and works out of Laguna Chiropractic Clinic, located in Elk Grove. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Lubkin is appointed as a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) for Workers' Compensation cases, he is a graduate of the Chiropractic Orthopedics Program (WSCC) and he works as a medical legal expert for both injury cases and professional malpractice cases.  Dr. Lubkin is a former Vice-President of the International Chiropractors Association of California (ICAC) and currently on the ICAC Board of Directors. In January 2012, he was elected Chairman of the Board.

Term Expires: February 10, 2014  

JEFFREY STEINHARDT, D.C., Vice Chair

Dr. Jeffrey Steinhardt, D.C., of San Diego, was appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger on February 27, 2009.  He has served as a chiropractor in private practice since 1984.  Dr. Steinhardt is a member of the California Chiropractic Association, California Society of Industrial Medicine and Surgery, San Diego Chiropractic Network, American Public Health Association, and Academy of Forensic and Industrial Chiropractic Consultants.  He served on the Chiropractic Board from 1994-2003 by the appointment of Gov. Pete Wilson.

Term Expires: February 10, 2012

FRANCESCO COLUMBU, D.C., Secretary

Francesco Columbu, D.C., of Los Angeles, was appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger on February 10, 2006 and reappointed on February 25, 2010.  He has been a practicing chiropractor in West Los Angeles since 1978.  Dr. Columbu has won every major title in the sports of bodybuilding and weightlifting and held a number of power lifting world records.  He is a two-time Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe, as well as Mr. World.

Term Expires: February 10, 2014

 

 

 

FREDERICK LERNER, D.C.

Fred N. Lerner, D.C., Ph.D., F.A.C.O. is a chiropractic orthopedist who has been in practice since 1980.  Originally from Toronto, Canada, Dr. Lerner graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1976 from the University of Toronto. In 1979, he graduated Summa Cum Laude from Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, now part of Southern California University of Health Sciences.  In 1998 he became the first chiropractor to receive staff credentials at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and still maintains them.  He currently has a full-time private practice in Beverly Hills and in West Los Angeles.  Dr. Lerner also serves as a Qualified Medical Evaluator and as an educator.

Dr. Lerner was appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger to serve on the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners.  He served as Chairman of the Board from January 2008 - January 2012

Term Expires: February 10, 2011

 

RICHARD TYLER, D.C.

Dr. Richard Tyler D.C., of  Rocklin, was appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger on September 9, 2004 and reappointed on February 27, 2009. He has served as a chiropractor in private practice since 1969. During the seventies and eighties, Dr. Tyler worked as a chiropractor in Vermont and served on the Vermont Board of Chiropractic Examination and Registration.  He has also worked as an editor for Weider Health Publications from 1965 to 1972 and an actor from 1940 to 1966.

Term Expires: February 10, 2012

 

 

Executive Officer

 

ROBERT PULEO