Chiropractors
Special Requirements
Chiropractors must be licensed, requiring:
- 2 to 4 years of undergraduate education,
- completion of a 4-year chiropractic college course
- Passing scores on national and State examinations
- In Virginia, licensed Chiropractors must be at least 18 years of age, graduate from a college recognized by the Virginia State Board of Medicine, and pass an examination.
All States and the District of Columbia regulate the practice of chiropractic and grant licenses to chiropractors who meet educational and examination requirements established by the State. Chiropractors can practice only in States where they are licensed. Some States have agreements permitting chiropractors licensed in one State to obtain a license in another without further examination, provided that their educational, examination, and practice credentials meet State specifications.
Most State boards require at least 2 years of undergraduate education; an increasing number are requiring a 4-year bachelor’s degree. All boards require the completion of a 4-year program at an accredited chiropractic college leading to the Doctor of Chiropractic degree. For licensure, most State boards recognize either all or part of the four - part test administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. State examinations may supplement the National Board tests, depending on State requirements.
Accompanying Documents required to be submitted for Licensure:
- Copy of diploma and transcript of grades from chiropractic college
- A chronological record of all activities since graduation, giving location, dates and types of service.
- Business address required.
EDUCATION:
1. If the applicant matriculated in a chiropractic college on or after July 1, 1975, he shall be a graduate of a chiropractic college accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council of Chiropractic Education or any other organization approved by the board.
- 2 to 4 years of undergraduate education,
- completion of a 4-year chiropractic college course
- Passing scores on national and State examinations
- In Virginia, licensed Chiropractors must be at least 18 years of age, graduate from a college recognized by the Virginia State Board of Medicine, and pass an examination.
All States and the District of Columbia regulate the practice of chiropractic and grant licenses to chiropractors who meet educational and examination requirements established by the State. Chiropractors can practice only in States where they are licensed. Some States have agreements permitting chiropractors licensed in one State to obtain a license in another without further examination, provided that their educational, examination, and practice credentials meet State specifications.
Most State boards require at least 2 years of undergraduate education; an increasing number are requiring a 4-year bachelor’s degree. All boards require the completion of a 4-year program at an accredited chiropractic college leading to the Doctor of Chiropractic degree. For licensure, most State boards recognize either all or part of the four - part test administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. State examinations may supplement the National Board tests, depending on State requirements.
Accompanying Documents required to be submitted for Licensure:
- Copy of diploma and transcript of grades from chiropractic college
- A chronological record of all activities since graduation, giving location, dates and types of service.
- Business address required.
EDUCATION:
1. If the applicant matriculated in a chiropractic college on or after July 1, 1975, he shall be a graduate of a chiropractic college accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council of Chiropractic Education or any other organization approved by the board.
2. If the applicant matriculated in a chiropractic college prior to July 1, 1975, he shall be a graduate of a chiropractic college accredited by the American Chiropractic Association or the International Chiropractic Association or any other organization approved by the board.
Exam Information:
Name of Board: Virginia Board of Medicine
Taking Part IV in lieu of State exam if you have graduated after January 1996.
Eligibility:
1. If the applicant matriculated in a chiropractic college on or after July 1, 1975, he shall be a graduate of a chiropractic college accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council of Chiropractic Education or any other organization approved by the board.
2. If the applicant matriculated in a chiropractic college prior to July 1, 1975, he shall be a graduate of a chiropractic college accredited by the American Chiropractic Association or the International Chiropractic Association or any other organization approved by the board.
3. An applicant who graduated after January 31, 1996 shall document successful completion of Parts I, II, III, and IV of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners examination (NBCE).
4. An applicant who graduated from January 31, 1991 to January 31, 1996 shall document successful completion of Parts I, II, and III of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners examination (NBCE).
5. An applicant who graduated from July 1, 1965 to January 31, 1991, shall document successful completion of Parts I, II, and III of the NBCE, or Parts I and II of the NBCE and the Special Purpose Examination for Chiropractic (SPEC), and document evidence of licensure in another state for at least two years immediately preceding his application.
6. An applicant who graduated prior to July 1, 1965 shall document successful completion of the SPEC, and document evidence of licensure in another state for at least two years immediately preceding his application.
7. An applicant must be 18 years of age or more.
8. An applicant must be shown to have good moral character.
LICENSE RENEWAL:
To maintain licensure, almost all States require the completion of a specified number of hours of continuing education each year. Chiropractic associations and accredited chiropractic programs and institutions offer continuing education programs. Specialty councils within some chiropractic associations also offer programs leading to clinical specialty certification, called "diplomate" certification, in areas such as orthopedics, neurology, sports injuries, occupational and industrial health, nutrition, diagnostic imaging, thermography, and internal disorders.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
In 2003, 16 chiropractic programs and 2 chiropractic institutions in the United States were accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education. Applicants are required to have at least 90 semester hours of undergraduate study leading toward a bachelor’s degree, including courses in English, the social sciences or humanities, organic and inorganic chemistry, biology, physics, and psychology. Many applicants have a bachelor’s degree, which may eventually become the minimum entry requirement. Several chiropractic colleges offer prechiropractic study, as well as a bachelor’s degree program. Recognition of prechiropractic education offered by chiropractic colleges varies among the State boards.
During the first 2 years, most chiropractic programs emphasize classroom and laboratory work in basic science subjects such as anatomy, physiology, public health, microbiology, pathology, and biochemistry. The last 2 years stress courses in manipulation and spinal adjustment and provide clinical experience in physical and laboratory diagnosis, neurology, orthopedics, geriatrics, physiotherapy, and nutrition. Chiropractic programs and institutions grant the degree of Doctor of Chiropractic.
HELPFUL ATTRIBUTES:
Chiropractic requires keen observation to detect physical abnormalities. It also takes considerable manual dexterity, but not unusual strength or endurance, to perform adjustments. Chiropractors should be able to work independently and handle responsibility. As in other health - related occupations, empathy, understanding, and the desire to help others are good qualities for dealing effectively with patients. Newly licensed chiropractors can set up a new practice, purchase an established one, or enter into partnership with an established practitioner. They also may take a salaried position with an established chiropractor, a group practice, or a healthcare facility.
Required Fees:
· Application Fee For Initial Licensure: $277
· Late Renewal Fees: $55
· Reinstatements: (For A License That Has Been Lapsed For More Than Two Years): $367
· Renewal of An Inactive License: $168
· Temporary Authorization to Practice Medicine: $25
For More Information, Contact:
Commonwealth Of Virginia
Department Of Health Professions
Board Of Medicine
6606 West Broad St. / 5th Floor
Richmond, VA 23230-1712
Phone: 804.662.9908
Phone: 800.533.1560
TTY: 804.662.7197
Fax: 804.662.9517
http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/medicine/
[email protected]
Northern Virginia Chiropractic Society
8316 Arlington Blvd. Suite 400
Fairfax, VA 95815
Phone: 703.698.7117
Virginia Chiropractic Association
240 Mustang Trail
Suite #3
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Phone: 757.498.3402
Fax: 757.498.7353
http://www.virginiachiropractic.org
[email protected]
Virginia Society Of Chiropractic
908 Colorado Street
Salem, VA 24153
Phone: 540.389.2492
Fax: 540.389.5395
[email protected]
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research. (Using onet28)
