NBCE Part IV
Applicant Eligibility |
Application |
Online Scores |
Test Plans |
Fees |
Transcripts |
Applicant Eligibility
Student Eligibility
Students enrolled in chiropractic colleges whose students are eligible to take the NBCE examinations may apply for the Part IV Examination if they have passed all of the NBCE Part I Examination by the Part IV application deadline and are within six months of graduation at the time of the Part IV Examination administration. Student applicants must obtain signatures of approval from their authorized college representative.
NOTE: The NBCE will not issue official transcripts to students until they have successfully completed Parts I, II, III and IV.
Graduate Eligibility
Chiropractic college graduates taking Part IV for the first time must have completed all of the NBCE Part I Examination. Graduates may establish their eligibility by submitting a copy of their doctor of chiropractic degree or by obtaining approval signatures from their authorized college representatives.
Doctor of Chiropractic Eligibility
A doctor of chiropractic who has passed all of the NBCE Part I Examination is eligible to take the Part IV Examination. A doctor of chiropractic who has not passed Part I, and who holds a valid license to practice chiropractic issued on or before December 31, 1997, is eligible to take Part IV upon submission of a properly completed application, and a letter bearing the state seal from an authorized representative of a state board that has licensed the applicant. The letter must verify that the applicant is licensed by that agency, that the applicant’s license
is not currently under suspension, and that there is no known disciplinary action in effect or pending. The letter should also reference that it is being completed as a Part IV requirement. Examinees should enclose the letter with their applications.
Part IV Retakes
Although the NBCE policy does not limit the number of times an examinee with failing scores may retake Part IV, be aware that some state licensing boards may have restrictions in this regard. The NBCE therefore refers a candidate for licensure to contact the licensing board of the state in which he or she intends to practice to obtain information about retaking Part IV. Unless otherwise required by a state licensing board, the NBCE only reports the most recent scores on transcripts.
A doctor of chiropractic who has passed the NBCE Part IV Examination is not eligible to retake Part IV unless required in order to comply with a state-imposed board rule or time
limitation that affects the acceptance of previous Part IV scores by that state.
NOTE: Acceptance or requirement of Part IV is determined by individual state licensing boards. An official transcript of a Part IV score is reported to state boards upon the examinee’s request. (A transcript request form is available on this website.)
Final decision for licensure of graduates from any chiropractic educational institution rests with individual state licensing boards.
For current information on state regulations regarding Part IV scores, licensure candidates must contact the licensing board of the state(s) in which they intend to practice.
