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All about NBCE examinations.

This site is designed to offer a quick reference to the examination policies and procedures of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. You are responsible for reading complete descriptions of NBCE examinations, application procedures, eligibility requirements, security screening guidelines and other information available at www.nbce.org.

• Applying for NBCE examinations
  • Written Examinations
    1. Complete the NBCE application online or by hand.
    2. Obtain authorized signatures, as necessary.
       1. If you are still in college, obtain the signature of an authorized college representative.
       2. If you are a graduate and are applying for Part I or Part II:
          
          (1) Submit a copy of your D.C. degree.
          
          (2) Or, obtain the signature of an authorized college representative.
       3. If you are a graduate and are applying for Part III:
          
          (1)Submit a copy of your D.C. degree if you have passedPart I.
          
          (2) Or, obtain the signature of an authorized college representative.
          
          (3) Or, submit a copy of a valid chiropractic license issued on or before December 31, 1988.
       4. If you are a graduate and are applying for Acupuncture:
          
          (1) Submit post-graduate documentation showing 100 hours of acupuncture instruction.
          
          (2) Or, obtain the signature of an authorized college representative.
       5. If you are a graduate and are applying for Physiotherapy:
          
          (1) Submit post-graduate documentation showing 120 hours of physiotherapy instruction.
          
          (2) Or, obtain the signature of an authorized college representative.
       6. If you are retaking any NBCE examination:
          
          (1) No signature is required for retakes of any NBCE examination.
    3. Obtain one 2”x2” passport-quality photograph.
    4. Sign the application affidavit in the presence of notary.
    5. Obtain total fees due in U.S. guaranteed funds.
    6. Submit all documents to NBCE headquarters by published deadlines.
  • Applying for the NBCE Part IV Examination
    1. Complete the NBCE application online or by hand.
    2. Obtain authorized signatures, as necessary.
    3. Obtain one 2”x2” passport-quality photograph.
    4. Sign application affidavit in presence of notary.
    5. Obtain total fees due in U.S. guaranteed funds.
    6. Submit all documents to NBCE headquarters by published deadlines.
• Determining eligibility for NBCE examinations
  
  
  • Part I
    1. For students currently enrolled in chiropractic colleges:
       1. You are eligible to take Part I in your sophomore year.
       2. You must obtain the signature of an authorized college representative on your application.
    2. For doctors of chiropractic:
    1. Class I: You are a doctor of chiropractic who has graduated less than six months before the examination date and you never applied to take Part I while attending chiropractic college.
       
       (1)You can establish eligibility to take Part I by submitting an application that is authorized by the college from which your degree was granted.
       
       (2)If you have previously registered for Part I, the NBCE does not require a signature from an authorized college representative. The examinees may mail the application directly to the NBCE.
    2. Class II: You are a doctor of chiropractic who has graduated at least six months before the examination date and you never applied to take Part I while attending chiropractic college.
       
       (1) You can establish eligibility to take Part I by providing documentation of your graduation from a chiropractic college.
       
       (2)The documentation may be in any of these forms:
       
       (a) registrar’s signature on the NBCE application
       
       (b) letter stating the date of your graduation and bearing the chiropractic college seal
       
       (c) an official college transcript
       
       (d) a copy of a doctor of chiropractic degree
    3. Class III: You are a doctor of chiropractic or a student of chiropractic who has successfully passed all subject examinations in Part I.
       
       (1)You are NOT eligible to retake any Part I subject that you have already passed, except upon the written request or requirement from a state licensing authority. Scores from retake examinations do not void the original passing scores.
       
       (2)Please be aware that most states accept passing NBCE scores regardless of the date of completion. Please contact the appropriate licensing authority for more information.
    3. For individuals retaking Part I
    1. If you fail three or more Part I subjects, you must retake the entire Part I Examination.
    2. If you fail one or two subjects in Part I, you are eligible to retake only the failed subjects.
    3. The NBCE does not require signatures for retake subjects.
  • Part II
    1. For students currently enrolled in chiropractic colleges
    1. You are eligible to take Part II in your junior year.
    2. You must obtain the signature of an authorized college representative on your application.
    2. For doctors of chiropractic
       
       a) Class I: You are a doctor of chiropractic who has graduated less than six months before the examination date and you never applied to take Part II while attending chiropractic college.
       
       (1) You can establish eligibility to take Part II by submitting an application that is authorized by the college from which your degree was granted.
       
       (2) If you have previously registered for Part II, the NBCE does not require a signature from an authorized college representative. The examinees may mail the application directly to the NBCE.
       
       b) Class II: You are a doctor of chiropractic who has graduated at least six months before the examination date and you never applied to take Part II while attending chiropractic college.
       
       (1) You can establish eligibility to take Part II by providing documentation of your graduation from a chiropractic college.
       
       (2) The documentation may be in any of these forms:
       
       (a) registrar’s signature on the NBCE application
       
       (b) letter stating the date of your graduation and bearing the chiropractic college seal
       
       (c) an official college transcript
       
       (d) a copy of a doctor of chiropractic degree
       
       c) Class III: You are a doctor of chiropractic or a student of chiropractic who has successfully passed all subject examinations in Part II.
       
       (1) You are NOT eligible to retake any Part II subject that you have already passed, except upon the written request or requirement from a state licensing authority. Scores from retake examinations do not void the original passing scores.
       
       (2) Please be aware that most states accept passing NBCE scores regardless of the date of completion. Please contact the appropriate licensing authority for more information.
    3. For individuals retaking Part II
    1. If you fail three or more Part II subjects, you must retake the entire Part II Examination.
    2. If you fail one or two subjects in Part II, you are eligible to retake only the failed subjects.
    3. The NBCE does not require signatures for retake subjects.
  • Part III
    1. For students currently enrolled in chiropractic colleges
    1. You are eligible to take Part III when you have passed Part I and are within nine months of graduation.
    2. You must obtain the signature of an authorized college representative on your application.
    3. The NBCE withholds official release of Part III transcripts until you have passed Part II.
    2. For doctors of chiropractic
       
       
       1. You may take Part III if you submit an application signed by an authorized college representative.
       2. You may take Part III if you submit a copy of your D.C. degree and you have passed Part I.
       3. You may take Part III if you submit a copy of a valid chiropractic license issued on or before Dec. 31, 1988.
       4. The NBCE withholds release of official Part III transcripts until you have passed Part II.
    3. For individuals retaking Part III
    1. The NBCE does not limit the number of times you may retake Part III prior to passing.
    2. Individual state licensing authorities may place restrictions on how many times a licensure candidate may retake Part III.
    3. The NBCE does not require signatures for retake subjects.
  • Part IV
    1. For students in chiropractic colleges
    1. You are eligible to take Part IV if you have passed all of the Part I Examination by the application deadline.
    2. You must be within six months of graduation.
    3. You must obtain the signature of an authorized college representative on your application.
    2. For graduates of chiropractic college
    1. You are eligible to take Part IV if you have passed all of the Part I Examination by the application deadline.
    2. You may establish your eligibility by submitting a copy of your doctor of chiropractic degree or by obtaining approval from an authorized college representative.
    3. For doctors of chiropractic
    1. If you have passed all of the NBCE Part I Examination, you are eligible to take Part IV.
    2. If you have not passed the NBCE Part I Examination, you may establish your eligibility to take Part IV by:
       
       (1) Submitting a properly completed NBCE application
       
       (2) You must also submit a letter bearing the state seal from an authorized representative of the state board that granted your license.
       
       (3) The letter must verify that your license is not currently under suspension, and that there is no known disciplinary action in effect or pending.
  • Physiotherapy (optional)
    1. For students in chiropractic colleges
    1. You must have completed 120 hours of instruction in physiotherapy.
    2. The instruction must be taken and/or recognized by one of the chiropractic colleges whose students are eligible to take NBCE examinations.
    3. You must obtain the signature of an authorized college representative on your application.
    2. For doctors of chiropractic
    1. You must provide documentation showing that you have completed 120 hours of instruction in physiotherapy.
    2. Or, you must obtain the signature of an authorized college representative on your application.
    3. A copy of your doctor of chiropractic degree does not meet this requirement.
  • Acupuncture (optional)
    1. For students in chiropractic colleges
    1. You must have completed 100 hours of instruction in acupuncture.
    2. The instruction must be taken and/or recognized by:
       
       (1) One of the chiropractic colleges whose students are eligible to take NBCE examinations.
       
       (2) A college or university accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
    3. c) You must obtain the signature of an authorized college representative on your application.
    2. For doctors of chiropractic
    1. You must have completed 100 hours of instruction in acupuncture.
    2. You can establish eligibility to the Acupuncture Examination by:
       
       (1) Submitting an NBCE application to the college from which you graduated for an authorized signature.
       
       (2) Submitting a letter from one of the U.S. or international chiropractic colleges whose students are currently eligible to take NBCE examinations, stating that you have completed 100 hours of acupuncture instruction.
       
       (3) Submitting a letter from a college or university accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, stating that you have completed 100 hours of acupuncture instruction.
• Security Screening
  • Security screening at NBCE test sties
    1. You may be subject to individual security screening procedures, including the use of metal detection devices.
    2. If you refuse to submit to individual security screenings, you may be denied entrance to or be expelled from the testing area.
    3. You may bring these items to a test site:
       
       a) Two forms of identification
       
       b) Car keys (remote keyless entry devices for vehicles are not permitted)
       
       c) Sweater
    4. You may NOT bring these items to a test site:
       
       a) Reference materials of any kind
       
       b) Writing instruments (pencils provided by the NBCE)
       
       c) Purses or backpacks
       
       d) Bookbags of any kind
       
       e) Cameras
       
       f) Cellular phones
       
       g) Electronic devices
       
       h) Watches
       
       i) Coats
       
       j) Hooded sweatshirts or shirts with pockets
       
       k) Hats
       
       l) Food and drinks
       
       m) Any other items that may be questioned by security or test site personnel
• Scoring
  • The scoring process
    1. The recommended passing score for NBCE examinations is 375.
    2. Scores are posted online and then an official score letter is mailed to examinees.
    3. To learn more about how the NBCE determines scores, read the article below. “Setting Cut Scores.”
• Test Accommodations
  • Written Examinations
    1. If you have a condition or disability for which you would like to request a deviation from the standard testing environment, you may request test accommodations.
    1. You must complete a Test Accommodation Request Form.
    2. You must follow other instructions in the publication NBCE Test Accommodations Guidelines for Written Examinations.
    3. Please contact the NBCE Examinee Relations Specialist for more information.
    2. If you have religious convictions that prevent you from taking NBCE examinations on holy days, you may request accommodations.
    1. You must complete a Religious Conviction Registration Form.
    2. You may request one of two options:
       
       (1) Take examinations on a delayed cycle.
       
       (2) Take alternative examinations.
    3. Please contact the NBCE Examinee Relations Specialist for more information.
  • Part IV Examination
    1. If you have a condition or disability for which you would like to request a deviation from the standard testing environment, you may request test accommodations.
    1. You must complete a Test Accommodation Request Form.
    2. You must follow other instructions in the publication NBCE Test Accommodations Guidelines for the Part IV National Practical Examination.
    3. Please contact the NBCE Examinee Relations Specialist for more information.
    2. If you have religious convictions that prevent you from taking NBCE examinations on holy days, you may request accommodations.
    1. You must complete a Religious Conviction Registration Form.
    2. You may register to take the examination on a Friday/Saturday or on a Friday/Sunday rotation.
    3. Please contact the NBCE Examinee Relations Specialist for more information