Frequently Asked Questions: Post-Licensure SPEC Examination

Q: What is SPEC?
A: The Special Purposes Examination for Chiropractic (SPEC) is an examination for re-assessing clinical competency and licensing eligibility in cases involving disciplinary action, reciprocity, and other state board needs. It demonstrates proficiency in conditions generally encountered in chiropractic practice.

Facilitating unprecedented geographic mobility, SPEC is often used for state-to-state reciprocity. More than 70 percent of SPEC candidates have taken the exam to obtain state licensure reciprocity since its introduction in 1998.

The SPEC test plan is based on practice requirements obtained from the NBCE’s chiropractic job analysis survey. The material presented in SPEC requires that examinees demonstrate the appropriate clinical understanding and judgments required in general chiropractic practice.

SPEC is designed to assess individuals who hold or have held a license to practice chiropractic.

Q: When should SPEC be used?
A: State licensing agencies have discretion over the use of SPEC exam scores in their jurisdictions. The SPEC 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 assessment of clinical competency 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 SPEC NOT be used?
A: The SPEC is not to be used to assess students nor for those who are entering practice for the first time.

• SPEC is not used for initial licensing purposes.
• SPEC is not designed for routine license renewal.
• SPEC does not replace NBCE Parts I, II, III, and IV.

Q: Who can take SPEC?
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 on this Web site. 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 SPEC?
A: Candidates should print the SPEC Information Brochure from this Web site and read and follow its 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 SPEC?
A: SPEC is administered six times a year at Prometric Testing Centers throughout North America. Candidates should schedule their own appointments on available testing dates. Results are reported quickly, ensuring state licensing agencies the shortest possible turnaround.

After verification and processing of the application is complete, the NBCE will mail an authorization to test letter to the applicant. After receiving that letter, it is the applicant’s responsibility to contact the computerized testing center to make a testing appointment. The authorization to test letter contains specific contact information and regarding appointment scheduling. See the SPEC Information Brochure for more information about testing dates and deadlines.

Q: What is the format of SPEC?
A: SPEC consists of a total of 200 multiple-choice questions, organized into two sections.

• Questions that address the application of general knowledge and understanding required for patient evaluations.
• Questions relating to clinical case management

Q: What is covered on SPEC?
A: Test questions are selected by a committee of state licensing board members. SPEC includes clinical case presentations that require that the examinee be able to demonstrate the appropriate clinical understanding and judgments required in unsupervised chiropractic practice.

The examination contains 100 questions related to the management of 25 clinical cases. SPEC also includes 100 multiple-choice questions addressing the application of general knowledge and understanding during patient evaluations.

For a more thorough description of SPEC, consult the Information Brochure.

Q: How do potential candidates know if their state utilizes SPEC?
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 SPEC?
A: The NBCE recommends a passing score of 375 for SPEC. This recommended passing score is based on input by a test committee of state licensing agency members. Individual licensing authorities may establish a passing score either higher or lower than the NBCE recommended passing score.

Because each individual licensing agency has sole determination of SPEC score utilization, examinees must contact the licensing agency of the state in which they intend to practice for any information concerning SPEC score requirements.

Q: How do candidates learn of their scores on the examination?
A: The NBCE notifies examinees of their scores approximately three weeks after the examination.

Q: How do candidates request a transcript of their SPEC results?
A: By submitting a SPEC 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 SPEC score, irrespective of the score result.

The NBCE will release a SPEC transcript only to the licensing authority that initially requested or required that candidate to take the SPEC. 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 SPEC to provide a more current score.

One complimentary SPEC transcript is included in the SPEC 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.