SPEC and E&B Examinations
Applicant Eligibility |
Application |
Testing Centers |
Test Plan |
Schedule |
Transcripts |
Reference Texts |
Fees |
Sample Test |
Test Plans
In developing its examinations, the NBCE follows test plans that specify the content areas and weighting. Test plans are specific to each examination.
SPEC: Test Plan
The SPEC test plan covers the following nine clinical areas with the emphasis noted as a percent of the entire examination:
- Patient interview (16%)
- Physical Examination (11%)
- Neuromusculoskeletal Examination (13%)
- X-ray Examination (11%)
- Clinical Lab and Special Studies (6%)
- Diagnosis or Clinical Impression (12%)
- Chiropractic Techniques (11%)
- Supportive Techniques (8%)
- Case Intervention Strategies (12%)
SPEC consists of two parts, with each session containing 100 multiple-choice questions. SPEC contains 100 questions related to the management of 25 clinical cases, selected according to the frequency with which various conditions are commonly encountered in practice.
The following indicates areas and approximate number of cases to be tested in each area:
- Cases may include articular/joint, neurological, muscular or skeletal conditions (approximately 13)
- Cases may include gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, or integument conditions (approximately 5)
- Cases may include endocrine/ metabolic, female reproductive, hematological/lymphatic, renal/urological or male reproductive conditions (approximately 4)
- Cases may include miscellaneous (allergies, nutritional), EENT, childhood, or venereal disorders (approximately 3)
SPEC also contains 100 multiple-choice questions addressing the application of general knowledge and understanding during patient evaluations.
E&B: Test Plan
The E&B test plan covers the following areas with the emphasis noted as a percent of the entire examination:
Ethics Issues
- Doctor’s duties and office procedures (20%)
- Doctor-patient relationship
- Standards of care
- Patient referrals
- Discontinuing care
- Non-discrimination
- Warning of risks and/or hazards presented by patient condition
- Abuse reporting
- Informed consent for treatment procedures
- Patient records and documentation
- Dual relationships between doctor, patient and staff
- Unprofessional and unethical conduct (30%)
- Negligence and/or incompetent practice
- Non-sexual patient abuse
- Patient neglect or abandonment
- Breach of confidentiality
- Practicing beyond scope
- Alcohol and/or substance abuse
- Fraud
- Misleading or unethical advertising
- Felony
- Gross or repeated malpractice
- Misuse of doctor’s power position
- Improper/inappropriate patient communication
Boundary Issues
- Sexual Misconduct (30%)
- Inappropriate sexual contact and/or sexual battery
- Non-physical, verbal or other sexual abuse of patient
- Romantic and/or sexual relationship with patient or former patient
- Sexual exploitation of patient
- Sexual Harassment (20%)
- Quid pro quo harassment
- Hostile work environment
- Verbal harassment
- Non-verbal harassment
- Male/female, same gender
- Third-party harassment
