Frequently Asked Questions: Post-licensure NBCE Ethics and Boundaries Examination
Q: What is the NBCE E&B?
A: The NBCE Ethics and Boundaries Examination (NBCE E&B) assesses the knowledge of ethics and boundaries issues, including ethical misconduct, sexual misconduct and sexual harassment encountered in chiropractic practice.
The test plan is based on a survey of state chiropractic licensing boards who responded to the importance of knowledge of ethics and boundaries issues to practicing chiropractic in an ethical and legally appropriate manner. The material presented on the NBCE E&B exam requires that examinees demonstrate appropriate understanding and judgments pertaining to appropriate relationships and interactions. The optional NBCE E&B gives state boards a tool to assess knowledge of ethics and boundaries issues as they apply to chiropractic practice. The exam is designed to be administered to licensed or previously licensed chiropractors in special circumstances.
Q: When should the NBCE E&B be used?
A: State licensing agencies have discretion over the use of the NBCE E&B exam scores in their jurisdictions. The NBCE E&B examination is administered only at the request or requirement of a state board. Circumstances in which these exams might be used include (but are not limited to):
- Disciplinary action, including the knowledge of ethics and boundaries issues.
- Suspension, revocation or licensure relapse (depending on the requirement of the state board).
- State-to-state reciprocity/endorsement (depending on the requirement of the state board).
Q: When should the NBCE E&B NOT be used?
A: The NBCE E&B is not to be used to assess students nor for those who are entering practice for the first time.
- NBCE E&B is not used for initial licensing purposes.
- NBCE E&B is not designed for routine license renewal.
- NBCE E&B does not replace NBCE Parts I, II, III, and IV.
- NBCE E&B is not to be used in place of SPEC, but may be used in addition to SPEC.
- NBCE E&B is not to be used as a diagnostic psychological evaluation.
Q: Who can take the NBCE E&B?
A: Eligible applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Hold or have held a license to practice chiropractic.
- Provide written authorization from a state licensing agency in the form of a requirement or a request
- Complete the NBCE application process and submit required fees prior to published deadlines.
Downloadable information brochures, applications and all required forms are available at www.nbce.org. State licensing agencies have discretion over the use of SPEC scores in their jurisdictions. Candidates should contact the state(s) in which they are interested in seeking licensure for specific requirements.
Q: How do candidates apply for the NBCE E&B?
A: Candidates should print the NBCE Post-Licensure Examination brochure and application from this Web site and read and follow instructions. Candidates must also print and complete the application and required forms and then submit them to the NBCE along with the required fees.
Q: When can candidates take NBCE E&B?
A: The NBCE E&B is currently offered six times per year at computerized testing centers nationwide.
After verification and processing of the application is complete, the NBCE will mail an admission notification to the applicant. The admission notification contains specific contact information regarding test site location and schedules. See the NBCE Post-licensure Examinations brochure for more information about testing dates and deadlines.
Q: What is the format of the NBCE E&B?
A: The NBCE E&B consists of a total of 100 true-false and multiple-choice questions, organized into two sections:
- Questions that address the application of general knowledge and understanding required for ethical chiropractic practice.
- Questions relating to boundaries issues including sexual misconduct and sexual harassment.
Q: What is covered on the NBCE E&B?
A: Test questions are selected by a committee of state licensing board members. The NBCE E&B assesses the knowledge of ethics and boundaries issues in areas reflecting doctors’ duties, ethical misconduct, sexual misconduct and sexual harassment encountered in cases of practitioner misconduct.
The NBCE Ethics and Boundaries Examination consists of 100 questions, with 50 devoted to Ethics issues and 50 devoted to Boundary issues.
For a more thorough description of the NBCE E&B, consult the information brochure.
Q: How do potential candidates know if their state utilizes the NBCE E&B?
A: For the most current information on state licensing requirements, candidates should contact their state licensing authority for more information.
Q: What is a passing score on the NBCE E&B?
A: The NBCE recommends a passing score of 375 for the NBCE E&B. This recommended passing score is based on input by a test committee of state licensing agency members; however, individual licensing authorities may recognize either a higher or lower passing score than the NBCE recommended passing score.
Because each individual licensing agency has sole determination of the NBCE E&B score utilization, examinees are referred to the licensing agency of the jurisdiction in which they intend to practice for any information concerning NBCE E&B score requirements and considerations.
Q: How do candidates learn of their scores on the examination?
A: The NBCE notifies the March and November examinees of their scores approximately eight weeks after the examination, and will notify the June examinees of their scores approximately three weeks after the examination.
Q: How do candidates request a transcript of their NBCE E&B results?
A: By submitting a NBCE E&B application, a candidate gives the NBCE express authorization to provide a transcript of his or her examination results to the state chiropractic licensing agency or other licensing authority that requested or required the examination. This transcript will include only the most recent NBCE E&B score, irrespective of the score result.
The NBCE will release a NBCE E&B transcript only to the licensing authority that initially requested or required that candidate to take the NBCE E&B. The NBCE will not release a transcript to any additional state without receiving a written request or requirement directly from that state along with a candidate’s written authorization to release score results. In some instances, a state may request or require a candidate to retake the NBCE E&B to provide a more current score.
One complimentary NBCE E&B transcript is included in the NBCE E&B fee. Each subsequent transcript request that meets the above requirements costs $20, paid to the NBCE in U.S. guaranteed funds. Examinees should allow two weeks for processing of a transcript.
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