Chiropractic Education
"The North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners is responsible for licensing individuals qualified to practice chiropractic in the state of North Carolina. The board examines for licensure and protects the public by enforcing the general statutes that relate to chiropractic healthcare. The Board consists of eight members appointed by the governor and the General Assembly. Applicants for licensing must have a baccalaureate degree, must be a graduate of an accredited college or university, have at least 4,200 hours of accredited chiropractic education, and show evidence of good moral character." NC Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Chiropractic School Prerequisites
- N.C. Chiropractic Physicians must have completed a 4-year baccalaureate degree to meet licensure requirements in N.C.
- All applicants for admission into the Doctor of Chiropractic program must complete a minimum of 90 semester hours of college credit from accredited degree-granting institutions. C-CATs (Chiropractic College Assessment Tests) are administered prior to admission.
Undergraduate Prerequisites
- Sciences: Inorganic Chemistry I & II, Organic Chemistry I & II, Physics I & II, Biology I & II (General Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Cell Biology, Zoology, Microbiology)
- Social Sciences & Humanities: Anthropology, Criminal Justice, English, Geography, Economics, Fine Arts, Government, Philosophy, Relision, Sociology, Communications, Education, Foreign Languages, History, Literature
National & State Board Requirements
- Jurisprudence: A written examination testing the applicants knowledge of state laws, rules and ethics as they pertain to chiropractic and the health care industry in North Carolina.
- National Board Exam, Part I: An examination covering basic science subjects including general anatomy, spinal anatomy, physiology, chemistry, pathology, microbiology and public health.
- National Board Exam, Part II: An examination covering clinical science subjects including general diagnosis, neuromusculoskeletal diagnosis, diagnostic imaging, principles of chiropractic, chiropractic practice and associated clinical sciences.
- National Board Exam, Part III: A written clinical competency examination that addresses case history, physical examination, neuromusculoskeletal examination, roentgenolgic examination, clinical laboratory & special studies, diagnosis or clinical impression, chiropractic technique, supportive techniques, and case management.
- Physiotherapy: An exam assessing physical therapy modalities, their indications, contraindications & applications, and therapeutic exercise & rehabilitation.
- Acupuncture: An elective examination assessing history and philosophy of acupuncture, organs, qi and fluid, channels and pathways, acupoints, acupuncture techniques, basic treatment and protocols, and acupuncture safety and hygiene.
- National Board Exam, Part IV (Practical): The Part IV practical exam, which utilizes an Objective Structured Clinical Examination Methodology, was developed by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) at the request of the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB). The Part IV examination tests individuals in three major areas, including x-ray interpretation & diagnosis, chiropractic technique and case management. The North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners requires a higher passing score on this exam than that of 46 other states for licensure, thus holding N.C. Chiropractic practitioners to a higher standard.
- Continuing Education: The North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners requires each licentiate to complete a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education per year.