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EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

What does chiropractic professional education provide? 

Chiropractic professional education provides core knowledge in the basic and clinical sciences and related health subjects sufficient for the doctor of chiropractic to perform the professional obligations of a primary care clinician. 

Chiropractic programs and institutions accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) Commission on Accreditation produce competent chiropractic practitioners who provide quality patient care. 

A total curriculum comprising at least 4,200 hours.
A curriculum structured to insure reasonable student load requirements.
A curriculum designed and implemented to provide opportunities for students to acquire and demonstrate required knowledge, skills and attitudes. 

Course offerings address at least the following subjects: anatomy; biochemistry; physiology; microbiology; pathology; public health; physical, clinical and laboratory diagnosis; gynecology; obstetrics; pediatrics; geriatrics; dermatology; otolaryngology; diagnostic imaging procedures; psychology; nutrition/dietetics; biomechanics; orthopedics; neurology; first aid and emergency procedures; spinal analysis; principles and practice of chiropractic; clinical decision making; adjustive techniques; research methods and procedures; and professional practice ethics. 

Chiropractic Education 

In some recent surveys it was surprising to note that some people were unaware of the educational level of a Doctor of Chiropractic. The basic question was, "Is the education of a Doctor of Chiropractic at the same level as a Medical Doctor?" The correct answer is, of course, yes. Doctors of Chiropractic undergo a rigorous and demanding professional education equivalent to any other primary care provider. To obtain a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, they must complete several years of prerequisite undergraduate education and spend nearly the same number of classroom hours at a fully accredited chiropractic college as MDs do in medical schools. Student doctors are thoroughly trained in the appropriate use of sophisticated analytical equipment including X-rays, examination procedures, and state of the art chiropractic investigative technologies. Before they can practice, all Doctors of Chiropractic must pass a series of National Boards, as well as a licensing exam for the state in which they choose to practice. Even after all that, most states require the doctors to attend clinical continuing education programs for annual relicensure.

What does it take to become a Chiropractor? 

According to many sources Chiropractic is the second largest health care profession. Some articles and authors have referred to chiropractic as “alternative”. This label may not fit in the face of the growing numbers of people seeking chiropractic care. In the 1998 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine is an article on chiropractic that makes a profound statement, “Even to call chiropractic alternative is problematic, in many ways it is distinctly mainstream.” 

Even with all this growth and increased usage, many people are unaware of the rigors of a chiropractic education. 

In order to become a “Doctor of Chiropractic” chiropractic students must go through college and a chiropractic program every bit as strenuous and in-depth as other health care practitioners. To help demonstrate this better, the following charts are given. 

Comparison of Hours of Basic Sciences Education in Medical and Chiropractic Schools 
Subject  Chiropractic Schools  Medical Schools 
  Hours % of Total Hours  % of Total
Anatomy  570  40  368  31 
Biochemistry  150  11  120  10 
Microbiology  120  8 120  10 
Public Health 70  5 289  24 
Physiology  305  21  142  12 
Pathology  205  14  162  14 
Total Hours 1,420 100  1,200 100 

Comparisons of the Overall Curriculum Structure for Chiropractic and Medical Schools 

Chiropractic Schools Medical Schools
Mean  Percentage  Mean  Percentage 
Basic Science Hours  1416 29% 1200 26%
Clinical Science Hours 3406  71%   3467 74% 
Chiropractic Science Hours 1975  41% 0 0 
Clerkship Hours 1405  29% 3467  74% 
Total Contact Hours 4822  100% 4667  100% 

Source for both above charts: Center for Studies in Health Policy, Inc., Washington, DC. Personal communication of 1995 unpublished data from Meredith Gonyea, PhD. 


License Requirements

  1. High school graduate; 18 years of age, graduate from an approved chiropractic college prior to sitting for the board; 
  2. required to have 120 hours of Physiotherapy and a course in the technique of venipuncture. 
  3. The board requires a course in HIV and AIDS (4 hour course). 
  4. A 3-month(300hour) Florida Internship Training program is required before sitting for the state board. 
  5. Requires National board part I, II, II and PT of 375 or higher. 
  6. You must have a Bachelors Degree separate from the Chiropractic degree. 
  7. Pass Florida's Board; which is separate from all other States. 

 

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