Chiropractors must be licensed, which requires 2 to 4 years of undergraduate
education, the completion of a 4-year chiropractic college course, and
passing scores on national and State examinations.Education and
training. In 2007, 16 chiropractic programs and 2 chiropractic
institutions in the United States were accredited by the Council on
Chiropractic Education. Applicants must 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 States.
Chiropractic programs require a minimum of 4,200 hours of combined
classroom, laboratory, and clinical experience. During the first 2 years,
most chiropractic programs emphasize classroom and laboratory work in
sciences such as anatomy, physiology, public health, microbiology,
pathology, and biochemistry. The last 2 years focus on 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.
Chiropractic colleges also offer postdoctoral training in orthopedics,
neurology, sports injuries, nutrition, rehabilitation, radiology, industrial
consulting, family practice, pediatrics, and applied chiropractic sciences.
Once such training is complete, chiropractors may take specialty exams
leading to “diplomate” status in a given specialty. Exams are administered
by specialty chiropractic associations.
Licensure. All States and the District of Columbia regulate
the practice of chiropractic and grant licenses to chiropractors who meet
the 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 licensing boards require at least 2 years of undergraduate
education, but 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. All States except New Jersey require the completion of a
specified number of hours of continuing education each year in order to
maintain licensure. Chiropractic associations and accredited chiropractic
programs and institutions offer continuing education programs.
Other qualifications. 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.
Advancement. 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 health care facility
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition
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