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Considering a career in chiropractic? Find out what education is required to be a licensed chiropractor in the United States.
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Education
To become a chiropractor, you will need to complete a four-year doctoral program at an accredited chiropractic college. During your studies, you will take courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pathology, and other health-related subjects. You will also complete a clinical internship.
Degree
To practice chiropractic, individuals must earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree and get licensed in their state. According to the Association of Chiropractic Colleges, there are 27 accredited chiropractic colleges in the U.S. Students typically take four years to complete their D.C. degree program which consists of four academic years and a one-year clinical internship. During their D.C. program, students take coursework in anatomy, physiology, diagnosis and chiropractic principles and techniques.
Coursework
Chiropractic training is rigorous and demanding, both mentally and physically. Admission to a chiropractic college is similar to the process of applying to any other professional school. Prerequisite coursework must be completed, letters of recommendation obtained, and a personal interview conducted. In addition, because all chiropractors must be licensed in the United States, all applicants must take and pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) exams.
Once accepted into a chiropractic college, students complete four academic years of study, resulting in the doctor of chiropractic (D.C.) degree. The first two years focus on basic sciences such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology and pathology. In the third and fourth years, students receive extensive training in clinical sciences such as diagnosis, orthopedics, radiology, neurology and nutrition. In addition, all students complete a supervised clinical internship prior to graduation.
licensure
To become a licensed chiropractor, you must complete a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree at an accredited chiropractic college and pass a four-part examination given by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. In order to sit for the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners tests, you must first complete a minimum of 90 semester hours or its equivalent of undergraduate college education.
requirements
In order to practice chiropractic in the United States, Canada and many other countries, a doctor of chiropractic must first obtain a state license. Specific licensure requirements vary from state to state, but all states require the successful completion of an accredited chiropractic program and passing scores on national board exams. In addition, continuing education is generally required in order to maintain an active license.
After completing a rigorous four-year undergraduate program, would-be chiropractors must complete a four-to-five year doctoral program at an accredited chiropractic college. The first two years of this program focus on basic sciences such as anatomy, physiology and biochemistry. The second half of the program consists of clinical training in which students gain hands-on experience treating patients under the supervision of licensed chiropractors.
In order to be licensed to practice in any state, graduates of chiropractic programs must pass two comprehensive exams administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE). The first exam, known as the National Board Exam Part I, covers basic sciences such as anatomy and physiology. The second exam, National Board Exam Part II, tests a candidate’s clinical knowledge. Some states may also require applicants to pass a state jurisprudence exam and/or a practical skills exam.
process
To become a licensed chiropractor, you must earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree from a school that is accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE). Currently, there are 26 CCE-accredited chiropractic colleges in the United States.
After completing undergraduate prerequisites, which often take four years to complete, students enrolled in a chiropractic college will complete four academic years of professional study. This includes instruction in basic and clinical sciences such as anatomy, physiology, biology, and other health sciences. It also includes training in diagnostic procedures and spinal manipulation techniques.
To receive a license to practice chiropractic in most states, graduates must pass an exam administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE). Some states require additional examinations or coursework. Once licensed, chiropractors must complete continuing education courses on a regular basis to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the field.
continuing education
If you are interested in becoming a chiropractor, you will need to complete a four-year chiropractic program. During your studies, you will take classes in topics such as human anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. Once you have completed your program, you will need to obtain a state license in order to practice.
requirements
In order to practice chiropractic care, candidates must earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree from an accredited chiropractic college. According to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), there are currently 20 such colleges in the United States. Admission requirements for these programs vary, but most will require applicants to have completed at least three years of undergraduate coursework, as well as specific courses in biology, chemistry and physics. Some programs may also require the completion of a bachelor’s degree prior to admission.
Once admitted to a chiropractic college, students will complete four academic years of study, which includes both classroom work and hands-on experience. During the first two years, students will complete coursework in basic sciences such as anatomy, physiology and biochemistry. In the third and fourth years, students will take courses specific to chiropractic care, including manual manipulation of the spine and extremities, diagnosis and treatment planning. Clinical internship experiences are also typically part of the curriculum.
After completing their studies, chiropractors must then pass a four-part national board exam administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE). Once they have passed this exam, they will be eligible for licensure in their state. Licensure requirements vary by state, but most states require candidates to pass an additional examination administered by the state Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
process
A minimum of seven years of post-secondary education is required to be a chiropractor in Canada. The first three or four years are spent obtaining an undergraduate university degree in the science program of your choice. You must then complete a four-year chiropractic program at an accredited chiropractic college.
In order to be accepted into a chiropractic college, you must have completed certain prerequisite courses at the university level, including but not limited to: biology, general and inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physics and English. Specific requirements vary from province to province and from one chiropractic college to another. Students are strongly advised to contact the admissions office of the school they wish to attend for specific entrance requirements.
