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This question is about chiropractor certifications.
What are the qualifications for a chiropractor?
An undergraduate degree followed by a Doctor of Chiropractic degree is the qualification for a chiropractor. Becoming a chiropractor first requires an undergraduate degree. Your degree program should be in an area that will help you with acceptance into a Doctor of Chiropractic program.
A Doctor of Chiropractic program can take anywhere from three to five years to complete and typically requires a minimum of 4,200 instructional hours. Some programs extend their curriculum over a longer period of time and can take as many as five years to complete. Others cover more in a shorter period and take significantly less time.
A Doctor of Chiropractic degree program will generally involve three major phases of education: science coursework related to the human body, coursework in clinical and chiropractic sciences, and clinical internships. In addition to graduating from chiropractic school, you will need to pass a series of examinations and secure your licensure.
To earn a license to practice chiropractic, you need to take and pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) exam. This exam is actually a series of tests taken at different times during your studies in an accredited DC program.
All but five states require additional, state-specific qualifications, such as exams or interviews with state licensing boards. (Colorado, Kentucky, New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia require only passage of the national exam). States grant these licenses when chiropractors pass a test about location-specific regulations and laws.
State regulatory boards, which work with the NBCE, oversee the requirements to practice legally, including passing the state exam. Some states have reciprocated with other states. That means that if you are licensed in one state, you may be able to easily earn licensure in other places that have reciprocal agreements.
The NBCE exam has five sections that students take at different times, although some states don't require the last section. Students earning their DC typically take the exam before graduating and generally take each part at the school where they study. It's worth noting that the NBCE does not license chiropractors.
Rather, it administers exams and provides scores to state licensing boards. States use those scores and other information, such as state-specific tests, to provide licensure. Each state licensing test is different, so you will need to carefully research and prepare according to the requirements of the state where you'll practice.
Most state tests evaluate your grasp of the rules and regulations in your location, scope of practice, and requirements to maintain good standing as a chiropractor. The process of taking state tests varies, too. Some states offer testing on a continual basis; others offer testing on specific dates a limited number of times per year.
Check with the state where you plan to practice for more information.
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