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What are the current educational requirements to be a doctor of chiropractic?

Chiropractic colleges require a minimum of four academic years of professional resident study, including clinical experience under strict supervision, preceded by a minimum of two years of college work with a curriculum concentrated in the biological and basic sciences, and clinical disciplines. The remaining two years emphasize practical or clinical studies dealing with the Chiropractic sciences and the diagnosis and treatment of disease with approximately half the time spent in college clinics. The current curriculum for Palmer College of Chiropractic (my graduating college) is shown here.

All States and the District of Columbia regulate the practice of chiropractic and grant licenses to chiropractors who meet educational requirements and pass a State board examination. Chiropractors can only practice in States where they are licensed. Some States have agreements that permit chiropractors licensed in one State to obtain a license in another without further examination.

Most State licensing boards require completion of a 4-year chiropractic college course following at least 2 years of undergraduate education, although there are several States that presently require a bachelor's degree either before matriculation and/or before licensure.

All State boards recognize academic training in chiropractic programs and institutions accredited the Council on Chiropractic Education.

For licensure, most State boards recognize either all or part of the four-part test administered the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. State examinations may supplement the National Board tests, depending on State requirements.

To maintain licensure, almost all States require completion of a specified number of hours of continuing education each year. Continuing education programs are offered accredited chiropractic programs and institutions, and chiropractic associations.

The Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards is a non-profit organization established in 1926 as the professional association for governmental regulatory boards responsible for chiropractic licensure. This site in invaluable for the new and licensed chiropractor alike. A listing of phone numbers, fax numbers, and contact persons for Chiropractic Regulatory Agencies in Australia, Canada, the United States, and U.S. Territories can be found at this site. The educational and testing requirements for each State or Province in their directory are intended as a general guide. It is strongly recommended that anyone interested in becoming licensed in a particular State or Province contact the Board office or the Secretary of the respective board to secure current and complete details before matriculating in any school. Links to each state's licensing board can be found on this page. A printable listing of U.S. and foreign colleges can be found as well. The college pages are in PDF format so you must have the Adobe Acrobat reader installed to view it. Go to this page to view the PDF file.

Special 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.

Sixteen chiropractic programs and institutions in the United States are accredited the Council on Chiropractic Education. All required applicants must have at least 60 accredited 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. Several chiropractic colleges offer pre-chiropractic study, as well as a bachelor's degree program.

During the first 2 years of study, 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 of study stress courses in chiropractic adjustments, and provide clinical experience in physical and laboratory diagnosis, neurology, orthopedics, geriatrics, and nutrition.

Chiropractic programs and institutions grant the degree of Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.). Chiropractic requires keen observation to detect vertebral subluxations and physical abnormalities. It also takes considerable hand dexterity to perform the chiropractic adjustment, but not unusual strength or endurance. 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 may also take a salaried position with an established chiropractor, a group practice, or a health care facility. (See Job Opportunities below). Source, US Occupational Outlook Handbook.

I'm interested in Chiropractic as a possible career. Where do I find more information?

Go to the US Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook or view a PDF version of this information. (You must have the Acrobat Reader installed to view PDF documents — download it from Adobe System by clicking


I'm going to graduate soon. Where do I find job opportunities?

Life Colleges National and International Chiropractic Employment Opportunities: for DCs, CTs and CAs has a page listing job opportunities.

Palmer College in Davenport, Iowa has a Professional Opportunities Office that provides student doctors and alumni with information on practices for sale, associateships, equipment for sale and intern/extern positions that are available in the field of chiropractic. These opportunities are maintained in a card file in their office, which is open to the students and alumni at all times. These opportunities are kept on file for six months, or unless the doctor notifies us to discontinue the listing. You can also contact Lois Petersen by e-mail or by phone at (800) PCC ALUM, Ext.3.

Palmer College of Chiropractic West puts out a Professional Opportunities Bulletin. Information in it lists professional opportunities, equipment for sale, and practices for sale. It is published on the first of each month by the Student Services office. Palmer College West and Palmer College graduates may receive copies of the bulletin free of charge. Non-Palmer College West/Palmer College graduates may receive copies of the bulletin at a charge of $4.00 per issue. For further details, you can email Student Services.

I need $ $ $ $ $ $   to go to school and I don't want to rob a bank? Who can help?

Check out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) page. You should file a FAFSA application six months before your enrollment.

The curriculum in the Basic Science division is designed to provide a strong base from which to build upon in the Chiropractic and Clinical Science Divisions.

The courses provide an in-depth, hands-on study of the human organism at every level of organization. Cell structure and function, from primitive to specialized tissue, organs and body systems are studied with a special emphasis on integrating the role of the endocrine and nervous systems. Cell Biology, Histology, Gross Anatomy, Spinal Anatomy, Neuroanatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Public Health, Pathology, Biochemistry and Nutrition are the courses taught in this division.

The courses offered in this division cover topics such as physical diagnosis, neurology, radiology, laboratory diagnosis, rheumatology, endocrinology, neuromusculoskeletal, pediatrics, geriatrics, dermatology, clinical nutrition, cardiorespiratory, gastrointestinal, eyes, ears, nose and throat and obstetrics and gynecology.

The Chiropractic Science Division supports the mission of the College by providing an education with the following primary objectives:

• Develop expertise in the chiropractic diagnosis of patients' health concerns.

• Develop proficiency in chiropractic treatment techniques including chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy and rehabilitation.

• Develop and improve communication skills, specifically but not limited to patient management and interdisciplinary communications.

These objectives are fulfilled in the following manner: In trimester one, the chiropractic student begins his/her education in the Chiropractic Science Division with classes in palpation, chiropractic history and philosophy, neuroscience, and doctor-patient relationships. The diagnostic objectives are met in the palpation and posture analysis course and the neuroscience course. The communication skills are developed in the doctor-patient relationship course and the history and philosophy course.

In trimester two, the communication skills objectives are met in the philosophy course. This course integrates the anatomy and physiology learned in basic science courses with further explanation of the pathophysiology of the subluxation complex and chiropractic principles of treatment. The diagnostic objective is accomplished with an introduction to orthopedic testing and evaluation. The treatment objective is satisfied by offering the core adjusting techniques unique to that particular college.

In trimester three, the communication objectives are met with continuation of the philosophy course, which will expand on the knowledge they have gained in the basic science courses. The orthopedics class enhances students' diagnostic abilities.

In trimester four, the philosophy course expands into ethical considerations. Practice management and patient education, further develop communicative skills. The role of chiropractic in the total health care area and other professional and ethical topics are taught in the Trimester 3 and 4 philosophy classes. Orthopedics, and various adjusting techniques expand on the objectives of diagnostic and treatment objectives.

In trimester five, a comprehensive review and increased knowledge of orthopedic examination and diagnosis enhance communication and manual skills. A biomechanics course ties together the anatomy, physiology and chiropractic theories enhancing both diagnostic and communicative abilities. The Extremity Adjusting Technique expands into extra spinal articulations for the treatment objectives.

The trimester six curriculum fulfills all the objectives with a complete review of orthopedics and biomechanical considerations, radiology interpretation, history and record keeping, diagnosis (both neuromusculoskeletal and general physical diagnosis), adjusting techniques, and patient management and treatment strategies. The problem-based correlation course brings together all previous Basic Science, Clinical Science and Chiropractic Science course material into a small group discussion for case problem solving. This series of courses is designed to integrate, all previous knowledge and prepare the student for entrance into the college clinic. The trimester six curriculum also includes an advanced adjusting review course, including special patient considerations, with emphasis on performance of the techniques in the clinical setting.

Beginning in trimester seven, the objectives of treatment are further expanded by the continuation of the physical therapy coursework introduced in trimester 6, an introduction to specialized techniques, a soft tissue adjusting technique course, a comprehensive system , and a course of x-ray marking relating to visceral reflexes and the spinal subluxation complex. The specialized technique and other technique courses include the diagnosis, treatment and communication skills objectives.

In trimester eight, the communication skills are expanded to include an office administration course. The treatment objective is further enhanced by a course on physical therapy and rehabilitation, An ethics and jurisprudence course provides further enhancement of the communicative skills objective.

In trimester nine, the communicative skills are taught in both the Office Administration course and the Practice Management course. Diagnosis and treatment objectives are met in the Advanced Orthopedics review course and the last trimester of specialized techniques.

The evaluation of the skills and knowledge development is on a continuing basis. The instructors in the palpation, orthopedics and technique classes follow the students through the curriculum, i.e., teach in multiple trimesters and in multiple classes and are able to detect weaknesses and offer review as necessary. They also become familiar with individual student strengths and weaknesses as a result of the interactions throughout the curriculum. In addition to the written and practical exams, Comprehensive Boards evaluate the chiropractic skills with written and practical examinations In summary, the Chiropractic Science Division curriculum provides an integrated and comprehensive structured curriculum which fulfills the objectives of quality education in, developing skills in communication, diagnosis and treatment.

Patient Clinic programs are an integral part of the educational process.

Each chiropractic college has a different clinic system, but they all accomplish one central goal: to make the chiropractic student competent in dealing with the public's health care concerns. Since I graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic, I will give you information regarding the Palmer Chiropractic Clinics. More than 550 student interns provide care to patients each trimester under the supervision of 44 experienced faculty clinicians. The Clinics encounter approximately 142,000 patient visits annually, 10,000 of which are new patients.

The Palmer Chiropractic Clinics occupy a total of 52,000 square feet, which includes the Main Clinic and the Campus Health Center, both located on campus; the Rock Island Clinic in Rock Island, Ill.; the Walcott Clinic in Walcott, Iowa; and the Community Outreach Clinic in Davenport.

Students begin clinical training in the Chiropractic Clinics caring for students, student families and College employees. Under the close supervision of faculty doctors, student clinicians experience a program with well-defined objectives focusing on skill development that prepare them for outpatient care. Once proficiency is established, student clinicians move to the other clinics where the predominance of outpatient care is performed. The demand for higher levels of critical thinking increases as the students move through their clinical training.

Specific quantitative and qualitative requirements are expected of each student to qualify for graduation. Students completing these requirements by the end of their ninth trimester become eligible to work in a field practitioner's office through a Preceptor Program in their tenth and final term. At this time, student interns hone their adjusting and examination skills as well as gain experience writing radiology and laboratory impressions and giving case presentations. They also gain experience writing patient medical records and performing orthopedic examinations.

The major objective of the Patient Clinic curricula is to develop through practice and clinician mentoring a minimum level of clinical competence in the following areas:

• History Taking
• Physical Examination
• Neuromuscular Examination
• Psychosocial Assessment
• Diagnostic Studies
• Diagnosis or Clinical Impression
• Case Management
• Adjusting Competency
• Emergency Care Competencies
• Case Follow Up and Review
• Record Keeping
• Doctor-Patient Relationship
• Professional Issues
• Non-Adjustive Therapeutic Procedures

The Department of Radiology is responsible for the student’s radiographic education as well as reading films for the Patient Clinics. The primary objectives are to provide an educational environment and patient management in the form of diagnostic radiology. Students achieve competency in both producing and interpreting radiographs. This department is staffed by highly experienced, well-published radiologists who have achieved diplomate status.