How long does it
take to become a chiropractor?
I have a lot of
patients ask me how long it takes to be a chiropractor, so I thought I would
write this to let you know exactly how long it takes to become a chiropractor
(hint: It is not a weekend seminar). So to be able to get into a doctor of
chiropractic program you must first complete a Bachelor’s degree with the
traditional pre-med courses, like chemistry, biology, and physics.
Once accepted into
the program it takes 3 and a half years of year round school (No summer
break?!) with a course load of around 20 hours a semester.
During the program
courses like anatomy, physiology, histology, pathology, microbiology and
biochemistry are taken in the first few semesters, followed by more clinical
sciences like neurology, orthopedics, physical examination, rehabilitation and
adjusting courses. There are then built-in clinical rotations at the clinic on
campus and treating patients in other scenarios (I had the privilege of doing
rotations with the Rice University athletics department and at the University
of Houston in Clear Lake).
All chiropractic
colleges must be accredited through a national accrediting agency.
A chiropractic
degree is actual a doctorate level degree and as such there are strict
requirements for a school to remain accredited and many of the classes taught
in the program are taught by PhD and MD faculty. This helps ensure that your
chiropractor has received a quality education and is able to treat you
confidently and expertly.
During this whole
process there are also what are known as national board exams and there are
four parts.
Part one consists
of six tests over the basic sciences (general and spinal anatomy, physiology,
chemistry, pathology and microbiology). Part two consists of six more tests
over clinical sciences (general diagnosis, neuromusculoskeletal diagnosis,
diagnostic imaging, principles of chiropractic, chiropractic practice, and
associated clinical sciences). Part three consists of case history, physical
examination, neuromusculoskeletal examination, diagnostic imaging examination,
clinical laboratory and special studies, diagnosis or clinical impression,
chiropractic techniques, supportive techniques and case management. Part four
is a practical exam where x-ray interpretation and diagnosis, chiropractic
technique, and case management skills are all tested. There is also an
additional physiotherapy examination that must be taken.
So all together
your chiropractor first has a Bachelor's degree to even begin the chiropractic
program then after three and a half years of intense year round schooling they
still must pass the four national board exams. So it takes just a little longer
than a weekend seminar.
