Doctors of Chiropractic who wish to practice in all 50-States undergo a strenuous education in the sciences, similar to medical doctors. In some areas, such as rehabilitation, anatomy, nutrition, physiology, and nutrition, they will often get a more in-depth education than their MD counterparts.
An aspiring chiropractor will have already completed nearly four years of undergraduate study, including courses in:
Once accepted into a chiropractic college, the course requirements are even more demanding, with an added four to five years of professional study. Because chiropractic is hands-on, a great deal of time is also spent in clinical training.
Like other health care professionals, chiropractic students spend a significant portion of their time evaluating and caring for patients. Chiropractors also need to have dexterity and interpersonal skills, as well as understand they may have to work long hours to meet a patient’s schedule. As part of their training, it’s common for future chiropractors to complete a minimum, one-year clinical program in actual patient care. In total, a student can expect to spend a minimum of 4,200 hours in the classroom, laboratory and in clinical experience.
This extensive education will prepare doctors of chiropractic medicine to treat and diagnose any health problem within their scope of practice, as well as refer patients to other health care practitioners when appropriate.
Step-by-Step Educational Requirements for Becoming a Chiropractor
Step 1 – Complete Bachelor Degree Program
In order to become a chiropractor, a person must complete three years, or at least 90-credits of undergraduate coursework at an accredited college or university. Some states and most chiropractic schools require an applicant earn a bachelor’s degree in order to gain entrance into a chiropractic program. So, an applicant would be wise to check requirements in the state he or she wishes to practice. Even though many states don’t require an undergraduate education beyond 90-credits, an aspiring chiropractor that has a bachelor’s degree will have the advantage to be licensed in any state.
Extensive coursework in the sciences is required. As most chiropractors work in private practice and form close relationships with their patients, students should also take business courses and courses in the humanities, such as interpersonal skills and communication.
Step 2 – Earn Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine Degree
After successfully earning a bachelor’s degree, or completing 90-credits of coursework, a future chiropractor must earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree from a chiropractic college. There are only a handful of schools in the US that offer the Doctor of Chiropractic degree program, so competition is fierce. Careful planning ahead of time, and earning high grades while an undergraduate, will save a future doctor a lot of hardship later. Typically, labs and courses in anatomy, chemistry, philosophy, biochemistry, and chiropractic techniques are studied at this level. Chiropractic programs also require intense clinical experience, working with patients and gaining hands-on training under supervision.
Once a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree is earned, the applicant must then pass state and national licensing exams by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. This three-step (and optional fourth-step) exam is accepted by most states, but some states have their own exam, so doctors should check his or her state’s requirements beforehand. All 50 states require licensing.
At this point, many chiropractors may opt to choose a specialty. For example: Sport’s medicine, pediatrics or geriatrics, orthopedics, or some combination of neuropathy and chiropractic procedures. Specializing can add income and opportunities to a chiropractic practice.
Step 3 – Continued Educational Training
A chiropractor is required to take continuing education for annual licensure by state licensing boards. This can be done by attending workshops, or enrolling in continuing education classes, such as naturopathy, massage or alternative medicine.
A career in chiropractic offers both satisfaction and a good income. In addition, many doctors of chiropractic are their own managers and will establish their own hours and work patterns. The chiropractic physician enjoys a profession that is well established, ranks high in prestige, and offers security. With future job growth to increase by 15 percent between 2012 and 2022, the job of a chiropractor is stable, exciting, meaningful, and widely accepted.
Copyright © 2014-2026 Doctorly
