In 1974, Chiropractic Education and Licensing Standards for Chiropractic education were established and they are overseen by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE). An organization found in Scottsdale, Arizona is the CCE. This group has the approval of the U.S. Education Department’s special certification organization for Chiropractic instruction. The group called the CCE establishes the criteria applied to staff, facilities, and curriculum.
Prior to acceptance into a college of chiropractic, students need at least two years of undergraduate work. Chiropractic colleges require completion of 60 to 90 academic units, based on that school’s requirements. Study in the areas of organic and general chemistry, psychology, biology, and English must be included within an undergraduate education.
A college of chiropractic course of study entails 4 years of academic instruction. Following are the main educational areas that are focused on: classroom, laboratory, and clinical study, which includes principles and practice of Chiropractic, anatomy, radiology, nutrition, toxicology, bio-mechanics, Chiropractic technique, physiologic therapeutics, spinal analysis, and adjustive techniques. This four year course of study amounts to more than 4800 total hours of intensive instruction.
Colleges of Chiropractics provide instruction in specialized areas. Post-graduate specialty programs are available in: Orthopedics; Sports Chiropractic; Nutrition; Pediatrics; Rehabilitation; Family Practice; Clinical Neurology and Industrial Consulting. Some of the organizations that recognize competency after completion of requirements of specialty training are: American Chiropractic Association, International Chiropractors Association, and the American Board of Chiropractic Specialties. There are boards that will assign a “diplomat” award after successfully passing the training and tests.
The majority of states insist on continuing instruction for renewal of chiropractic certifications. Typically, a course of continuing instruction will consist of a seminar, lesson, and conference session. Subjects differ, and include continuing education topics like chiropractic theory, diagnostic techniques, and treatment. Chiropractic colleges or other institutions for education sponsor many of these programs.