written examinations

March 2010 Examinations

Applicant Eligibility

Application

Online Scores

Test Plans

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.

 

Part I: Test Plan

 

Printable Part I Test Plan

 

General Anatomy

I.      Topographical Anatomy (8%)

II.     Osteology of the Appendicular Skeleton (15%)

III.    Arthrology and Syndesmology of the Appendicular Skeleton (15%)

IV.   Myology of the Appendicular Skeleton (18%)

V.    Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems (13%)

VI.   Digestive System (10%)

VII.  Respiratory System (8%)

VIII. Urogenital System (8%)

IX.   Endocrine System (5%)

Back to top

 

Spinal Anatomy

I.      Osteology of the Axial Skeleton (19%)

II.     Myology of the Axial Skeleton (15%)

III.    Arthrology and Syndesmology of the Axial Skeleton (13%)

IV.   Anatomy of the Central Nervous System and Related Structures (23%)

V.    Anatomy of the Peripheral and Autonomic Nervous Systems (21%)

VI.   Organs of Special Senses (9%)

Back to top

 

Physiology

I.      Neurophysiology (22%)

II.     Muscle Physiology (15%)

III.    Cardiovascular Physiology (15%)

IV.   Respiratory Physiology (9%)

V.    Body Fluids and Renal Physiology (10%)

VI.   Gastrointestinal Physiology (9%)

VII.  Reproductive Physiology (5%)

VIII. Endocrine Physiology (9%)

IX.   Exercise and Sports Physiology (6%)

 

Back to top

 

Chemistry

I.      Carbohydrates (18%)

II.     Lipids (18%)

III.    Proteins, Amino Acids and Peptides (17%)

IV.   Enzymes (7%)

V.    Hormones (6%)

VI.   Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids (10%)

VII.  Vitamins and Minerals (14%)

VIII. Biochemical Energetics (10%)

Back to top

 

Pathology

I.      Fundamentals of Pathology (21%)

II.     Genetic and Congenital Disorders (4%)

III.    Disorders of the Immune System (7%)

IV.   Environmental and Nutritional Diseases (5%)


V.    Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System (18%)

VI.   Disorders of the Nervous System (11%)

VII.  Diseases of the Organ Systems (34%)

Back to top

 

Microbiology and Public Health

I.      Principles of Microbiology (12%)

II.     Communicable and Infectious Diseases (45%)

III.    Epidemiology and Infectious Disease Management (16%)

IV.   Environmental Health (10%)

V.    Immunology (17%)

Back to top

 

Part II: Test Plan

 

Printable Part II Test Plan

 

General Diagnosis

I.      Case History (8%)

 

II.     Vital Signs (3%)

 

III.    Head and Neck Examination/Findings (6%)

IV.  Thorax Examination/Findings (including heart and lungs) (7%)

V.    Abdominal Examination/Findings (7%)

VI.   Rectal and Urogenital Examination/Findings (4%)

VII.   Clinical Diagnosis (55%)

VIII.  Laboratory Interpretation (10%)

Back to top

 

Neuromusculoskeletal Diagnosis

I.      Case History (11%)

 

II.     Posture and Gait Assessment (5%)

 

III.    Orthopedic Examination (24%)

IV.    Neurologic Examination (21%)

V.    Clinical Diagnosis (39%)

Back to top

 

Diagnostic Imaging

I.      X-ray Technology (10%)

II.     Radiographic Positioning and Normal Anatomy (21%)

III.    X-ray Diagnosis (50%)

IV.    Methods of Interpretation (8%)

V.     Clinical Applications of Special Imaging (11%)

Back to top

 

Principles of Chiropractic

I.      The Chiropractic Paradigm (6%)

 

II.     Concepts of Subluxation and Spinal Lesions (30%)

III.    Basic Science Concepts in Chiropractic (32%)

IV.   Applied Chiropractic Principles (32%)

Back to top

 

Chiropractic Practice

I.      Spinal Analysis and Evaluation (33%)

II.     Chiropractic Adjustive Technique (35%)

III.    Patient Care (32%)

 

Back to top

 

Associated Clinical Sciences

I.      Geriatrics (14%)

II.    Dermatology (11%)

III.    Sexually Transmitted Diseases (9%)

IV.   Toxicology (9%)

V.     Emergency Procedures (13%)

 VI.  Psychology (11%)

VII.   Gynecology and Obstetrics (13%)

VIII.  Pediatrics (14%)

IX.   Jurisprudence, Ethics and Basic Economics (6%)

 

Back to top

 

Part III: Test Plan

 

Printable Part III Test Plan

I.     Case History (16%)

Competency description: The examinee will be asked to identify factors necessary for complete case history and to apply this knowledge to a clinical picture.

Examples include:

II.  Physical Examination (11%)

Competency description:
The examinee will be asked to select appropriate physical examination procedures and to apply knowledge of these procedures to a clinical picture.

Examples include:

III.   Neuromusculoskeletal Examination (13%)

Competency description:
The examinee will be asked to select appropriate neuromusculoskeletal examination procedures and to apply knowledge of these procedures to a clinical picture.

Examples include:

IV.   Roentgenologic Examination (11%)

Competency description:
The examinee will be asked to demonstrate knowledge of all areas of chiropractic roentgenology.

Examples include:

V.    Clinical Laboratory and Special Studies Examination (6%)

Competency description:
The examinee will be asked to demonstrate understanding of the rationale for ordering specific clinical laboratory tests and special studies and to demonstrate ability to interpret the results of these tests or studies.

Examples include:

VI.   Diagnosis or Clinical Impression (12%)

Competency description:
Based on information gathered in the various areas of examination, the examinee will be asked to identify the pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible for a patient’s complaints.

Examples include:

VII.    Chiropractic Techniques (11%)

Competency description:
The examinee will be asked to demonstrate knowledge of all areas of chiropractic technique.

Examples include:

VIII.  Supportive Techniques (8%)

Competency description: 
The examinee will be asked to demonstrate knowledge of techniques and procedures that are supportive of or adjunctive to the chiropractic adjustment.

Examples include:

IX.  Case Management (12%)

Competency description:
The examinee will be asked to select an approach to the management or disposition of a case that is consistent with the clinical impression or diagnosis.

Examples include:

Back to top

 

Physiotherapy: Test Plan

 

Printable Physiotherapy Test Plan

I. Passive Adjunctive Procedures

A. Thermotherapy (16%)

  • Infrared
  • Paraffin
  • Hot moist packs
  • Hydrotherapy
  • Ultrasound
  • Diathermy
  • Cryotherapy

B. Electrotherapy (14%)

  • Interferential current
  • High voltage therapy
  • Low volt galvanism/iontophoresis
  • Electrical muscle stimulation
  • TENS
  • Microcurrent

C. Mechanotherapy (11%)

  • Cervical / lumbar traction
  • Massage, vibration and trigger point therapy
  • Bracing/orthotics
  • Taping

D. Phototherapy (4%)

  • Cold laser
  • Ultraviolet

II. Active Adjunctive Procedures

A. Functional assessment (5%)

  • Gait
  • Movement patterns
  • Muscular imbalances

B. Physical rehabilitation (50%)

  • Exercise physiology
  • Stretching exercises
  • Strength training exercises
  • Neuromuscular rehabilitation
  • Stability training
  • Endurance training
  • Disorder-specific rehabilitation

Back to top

 

Acupuncture: Test Plan

 

Printable Acupuncture Test Plan

I.      History/Philosophy of Acupuncture in a Chiropractic Setting (5%)

II.    Organs, Qi, and Fluid (12%)

III.   Channels/Pathways (18%)

IV.   Acupoints (30%)

V.   Acupuncture Techniques (5%)

VI.  Basic Treatment Tenets/ Protocols (20%)

VII. Safety and Hygiene (10%)

Back to top