1. What is a doctor of chiropractic?

Answer: A doctor of chiropractic is a primary care physician whose purpose, as a practitioner of the healing arts, is to help meet the health needs of individual patients and of the public, giving particular attention to the structural and neurological aspects of the body.

The application of science in chiropractic concerns itself with the relationship between structure, primarily the spine and function, coordinated by the nervous system of the human body, as this relationship may affect the restoration and preservation of health.

Further, the application of this science focuses on the inherent ability of the body to heal without the use of drugs or surgery.

As a gatekeeper for direct access to the health delivery system, the doctor of chiropractic’s responsibilities as a primary care physician include wellness promotion, health assessment, diagnosis, and the chiropractic management of the patient’s health care needs. When indicated, the doctor of chiropractic consults with, co-manages, or refers to other health care providers.

2. What does chiropractic education provide?

Answer: The purpose of chiropractic professional education is to provide the student with a core of knowledge in the basic and clinical sciences, and related health subjects sufficient to perform the professional obligations of a doctor of chiropractic.

The Doctor of Chiropractic Program (DCP) must require each student awarded the D.C. degree to have successfully completed not less than 4,200 instructional hours, and must have earned not less than the final 25% of the total credits required for the D.C. degree from the program that confers the degree.

The curriculum required for the DCP must include the following subjects (not necessarily in individual courses for each subject): 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. The DCP must document how each subject appears in the curriculum and is integrated into a coherent degree program.

3. What is accreditation?

Answer: Accreditation is a system for recognizing institutions and professional programs affiliated with those institutions for a level of performance, integrity, and quality, which entitles them to the confidence of the educational community and the public they serve. Accreditation is a voluntary process offered primarily through nongovernmental, voluntary institutional or professional entities that establish standards for the accreditation process. The process includes a schedule for each program desiring accredited status that includes an exchange of informational reports, and site visits to evaluate whether the program is meeting or exceeding the established Standards. The accrediting entity publicly recognizes the programs that meet their requirements.

4. How can I tell if an accrediting entity is legitimate?
 
Answer: Reputable accrediting agencies are recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and/or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CCE meets the requirements of both organizations and is recognized by both. In addition, CCE is a member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA) and adheres to the ASPA Member Code of Good Practice.

5. If I don't see the program I am thinking about attending listed on your website as an accredited institution, is it accredited by CCE?

Answer: All programs accredited by CCE are posted on our website (www.cce-usa.org). A complete listing is located on the home page under the map entitled Doctor of Chiropractic Programs. The DC programs listed have met or exceeded the CCE accreditation requirements. You will see the year the program was accredited and the date for the next scheduled review of the program. There is also a website link to each school where you can get useful information specifically about each program. If a program is not listed on our Directory, it is not CCE accredited.

6. I am interested in attending a new program that I have heard is being started. I would like to know if they are in the process of receiving full accreditation?

Answer: Until CCE receives formal notification that a new or developing program is intending to seek CCE accreditation, we have no official information on that program. A new program must be able to provide written evidence that it provides the doctor of chiropractic degree, is eligible for CCE accreditation and must then engage in the CCE accreditation process including Self-Study, Evaluation, Review and Determination of Status.

CCE hopes that any new program will be successful, but cannot guarantee that it will be. Any new program must demonstrate that it meets the requirements outlined in the CCE Standards. You may read the "Eligibility Requirements for Initial Accreditation" on the CCE web page, www.cce-usa.org in the CCE Standards.

7. If I attend a chiropractic program that is not accredited by CCE, can I still practice as a chiropractor?

Answer: Each state chiropractic regulatory board establishes its own criteria for granting a license. Contact the applicable State regulatory board(s) directly in the state or states in which you plan to practice. The official directory of the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB) appears on the FCLB website at www.fclb.org.

8. What should I study now? I am thinking about becoming a chiropractor and I want to know what classes I should take prior to applying to a doctor of chiropractic program.

Answer: The Doctor of Chiropractic Program (DCP) must demonstrate that qualifications for student acceptance and resultant enrollment are appropriate to the program objectives, goals and educational mission of the program or institution.  Each student admitted to begin the DCP on the basis of academic credentials from institutions within the United States must meet the following requirements:

a. All matriculants must furnish proof of having earned a minimum of 90 semester hour credits of appropriate pre-professional education courses at an institution or institutions accredited by a nationally recognized agency.  A national accrediting agency is an agency recognized by the Secretary of the US Department of Education.

Included in these credits must be a minimum of 48 semester hour credits in the course areas noted in Section 2.III.H.1.b (below).  In addition, all matriculants must have earned a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50 on a scale of 4.00 for the courses listed in Section 2.III.H.1.b, and for the required 90 semester hours.  Quarter hour credits may be converted to equivalent semester hour credits.  In situations in which one or more courses have been repeated with equivalent courses, the most recent grade(s) may be used for grade point average computation and the earlier grade(s) may be disregarded.

b. All matriculants must present a minimum of 48 semester hours' credit (or the quarter-hour credit equivalents), distributed as follows:

English Language Skills*.........................6 semester hours
Psychology.............................................3 semester hours
Social Sciences or Humanities...............15 semester hours

Biological Sciences**...............................6 semester hours
Chemistry***............................................12 semester hours
Physics and related studies****...............6 semester hours

In each of the six distribution areas, no grades below 2.00 on a 4.00
scale may be accepted.

In each of the six distribution areas, if more than one course is taken to fulfill the requirement, the course contents must be unduplicated.

*English Language Skills requirement includes English composition, Speech, or  English literature coursework.

**The Biological Sciences requirement must include pertinent laboratory experiences that cover the range of material presented in the didactic portions of the course(s).

***The chemistry requirement may be met with at least three semester hours of general or inorganic chemistry and at least six hours of organic chemistry and/or biochemistry courses with unduplicated content.  At least six semester hours of the chemistry courses must include pertinent related laboratory experiences, which cover the range of material presented in the didactic portions of the courses.

****The physics requirement may be met with either one or more physics courses with unduplicated content (of which one must include a pertinent related laboratory that covers the range of material presented in the didactic portions of the course), or three semester hours in physics (with laboratory) and three semester hours in either biomechanics, kinesiology, statistics, or exercise physiology.

In the event an institution's transcript does not combine laboratory and lecture grades for a single course grade, the admitting institution may calculate a weighted average of those grades to establish the grade in that science course.

c. Students who have earned a portion of the prerequisite credits through examination or means other than formal course work, as identified by an institution accredited by a nationally recognized agency, which formally has accepted or awarded such credits, may be admitted to the DCP upon receipt of such evidence by the DCP.  The DCP must document and retain evidence in the student's file, which identifies how such admission requirements were met.

d. Students who hold a degree leading to licensure/registration in a health science discipline at the baccalaureate level or above with an earned cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50 on a scale of 4.0, or who hold a baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency with an earned grade point average of at least 3.25 on a scale of 4.0, may be admitted to the DCP upon presenting evidence that their academic preparation substantially meets the requirements for admission consistent with those noted in Section 2.III.H.1.a.-c.

To find out more, please visit our website and view the sections listed below to get a better understanding and clear delineation of the specific 48 semester hour (or quarter hour equivalent) credit requirements.

The CCE Standards for Doctor of Chiropractic Programs and Requirements for Institutional Status, January 2007, Section 2.III.H.1 & 2, Minimum Admission Requirements for Students, pages 21-23.

CCE, recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education to accredit programs and institutions offering the doctor of chiropractic (D.C.) degree, has established the above minimum criteria for admission to the study of chiropractic. Admission requirements at individual chiropractic programs and institutions may exceed these minimums.

9. When should I take my clinic courses for my DCP? I am transferring from another Doctor of Chiropractic program and want to know how soon can I begin my clinic courses?

Answer: It is up to the Doctor of Chiropractic Program (DCP) to determine when and how students take their individual clinic courses, as part of each programs unique curriculum design. Contact the program directly for an answer to this question. Contact information for each accredited program is on the CCE website, www.cce-usa.org "Doctor of Chiropractic Programs".

For college publications or further information on admissions requirements, pre-professional curricula, grants and other financial aid, please correspond directly with the admissions office of the CCE-accredited program or institution in which you are interested. 

10. What if I am transferring from one D.C. program to another?

Answer: Please reference the CCE Standards, Section 2.III.H.3., Students Transferring from Another Institution or Seeking Advanced Standing, which reads:

Each student transferring credits applicable to the DCP must meet the following requirements:

a. The applicant for transfer from one DCP to another must meet the admissions requirements that were in force at the admitting DCP on the date the student originally enrolled in the DCP from which the transfer is being made.

b. Credits considered for transfer must have been awarded for courses taken in a DCP accredited by CCE, or in a program accredited as a first professional degree in one of the health sciences by another nationally recognized accrediting agency, or in a graduate program in an academic discipline closely related to the health sciences offered by an institution which is recognized by a national accrediting agency.

c. Only credits recorded on an official transcript of the issuing institution with an equivalent grade of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale or better may be considered for transfer.

d. Credits accepted for transfer must be determined by the receiving DCP to be substantially equivalent to courses offered by the receiving DCP.

e. Credits accepted for transfer must have been awarded within five years of the date of admission to the receiving DCP, except that the receiving DCP may at its option accept older credits if the entering student holds an earned doctorate in one of the health sciences (e.g., D.C., M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.P.M.) or a graduate degree in an academic discipline closely related to the health sciences.

f. Credits accepted for transfer from institutions outside the United States must be accompanied by evidence of the individual student's proficiency in the subject matter of each course for which credits are accepted.

11. I am attempting to choose a chiropractic program and want to know which are the best chiropractic programs and how do they rank? Why won't CCE tell me if a program is good, or which program is the best?

Answer: The Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) does not rate or rank doctor of chiropractic programs. The role of accreditation is to assure that a program meets a prescribed set of educational standards, not to indicate a ranking of program quality. The programs listed on our website are accredited, which means they meet or exceed the requirements outlined in the CCE Standards. Once you have assurance of the accreditation of a program, it is important to research those programs that interest you to determine the one that has the specific characteristics you desire. When choosing a school, we suggest you review your personal requirements and needs, and then visit the school website of programs that interest you. When you have identified one or more programs you feel are a good fit, you might plan a campus visit to the program(s) you have identified. Please refer to our website for a listing of CCE-accredited programs.

12. If I attend a college outside of the United States, may I practice in the United States?

Answer: Please check with the chiropractic licensure board in the state where you plan to practice. Specific questions concerning licensure requirements should be directed to the Federation of Chiropractic licensing Boards http://www.fclb.org. FCLB has web page links directly to the state boards.

13. Does CCE have any reciprocal agreements with any programs offered in other countries?

Answer: No. CCE no longer has reciprocal agreements. Individual state licensing entities were not bound by reciprocal agreements between accrediting bodies, and there was difficulty in assuring consistency in accreditation requirements and processes between the United States and other countries.

14. I am an international student studying chiropractic in the United States. Do I need a Social Security Number (SSN) to take the examinations from the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners?

Answer: For any questions concerning national board examinations, you will need to contact the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) directly. NBCE's website is www.nbce.org.

15. If I have a complaint, to whom should it be addressed?

Answer: You first need to establish the type of complaint. Ask “What is the complaint concerning". Is it concerning the CCE Council? Is it a complaint about the content of CCE Standards? Is it a complaint about a CCE accredited program? CCE has written guidelines that define which complaints we address and the procedures for the various kinds of complaints. Once you determine the type of complaint, you should reference the CCE Manual of Policies (located on our website): CCE Policy 64: Complaints.

CCE cannot address anything outside the parameters of these particular policies, i.e., grades, clinic time, monetary disputes, etc. For additional information see Section 1.XV., of the Standards.

16. What is PACE? How is CCE affiliated with PACE?

Answer: Providers of Approved Continuing Education (PACE) is a program sponsored by the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB). More information about PACE is available on the FCLB website at www.fclb.org

17. Can you provide a list of CCE approved acupuncture programs?

Answer: The Council on Chiropractic Education only accredits the doctor of chiropractic degree programs in the United States. We do not accredit acupuncture programs. Some Chiropractic educational programs may offer specialty course work in Acupuncture. You might check the websites of the various programs CCE accredits or you may contact the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM).

18. Who within CCE actually makes accreditation decisions?

Answer: The Council  makes the accreditation decisions.  The Council on Chiropractic Education, Inc. (CCE) is the name of the organization itself. CCE is an autonomous national organization. It develops its own Bylaws, and the requirements and procedures for the accreditation of Chiropractic programs and institutions. The requirements and procedures are applied by the Council. Because accreditation is a voluntary, peer-review process, the CCE consists of a diverse representation of chiropractic educators, practitioners, and public members knowledgeable about accreditation.  Accreditation requires a request from a program/institution to engage in the process.

The Council of The Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) consists of 24 members.  Of the 24 members, 12 are Program/Institutional representatives, 8 Practicing D.C.s and 4 Public Members.  For more information, please view the CCE Bylaws, Articles VI and VIII. 

The Council manages the business affairs of the organization and is responsible for the revision of the CCE Bylaws, Policies and Standards.  In addition, the Council carries out all accreditation functions and decisions. Please refer to the CCE Bylaws which are posted on the website at www.cce-usa.org for more information on the Council.

19. How does the Council know whether a program complies with the CCE Standards?

Answer: This is what the accreditation process is all about. There is a systematic review of all programs that reveals whether the Doctor of Chiropractic Program (DCP) is in compliance with the CCE Standards.  Briefly, a program contacts CCE and invites a review of the program. The program engages in a self-evaluation and produces a written document called the "Self-Study". Trained evaluators review that document and a team of trained site visitors is sent to the campus to validate the self-study.  A normal CCE accreditation cycle occurs over an 8-year period of time.  In addition, there are biennial reports, an interim site visit and other reports and visits that may be scheduled during the cycle. As part of the normal accreditation process there are times when program representatives are requested to appear at a Council meeting.

Additional information can be found on the CCE web page at www.cce-usa.org, in the CCE Standards for Doctor of Chiropractic Programs and Requirements for Institutional Status, Section 1, which describes the accreditation process, and Section 2, which contains the DCP accreditation requirements.

20. What accreditation decisions can be made by the Council?

Answer: All accreditation decisions are made by the Council. However, all programs are provided “due process” before any accreditation decision becomes final. The actions the Council may take include the following:

• Award or reaffirm Accreditation;
• Defer a decision for no more than one calendar year, pending review of specific evidence indicating compliance with recommendations;
• Deny initial or reaffirmation of accreditation identifying the specific accreditation requirements not being met;
• Impose a confidential sanction of notice or public sanction of probation if a program is currently accredited.

21. If a program receives an adverse decision or a sanction from the Council when is that information made public?

Answer: Adverse actions and sanctions may be imposed by the Council for noncompliance with the Standards. Public notice of an adverse decision is not made until the decision has become final, either due to the expiration of the time period for an appeal of the decision or to the conclusion of the appeal process, unless the Council determines there is a compelling reason for immediate disclosure. The only adverse decisions of the Council, which may be made public, are a sanction of Probation and denial of accreditation. A Sanction of Notice is confidential.

22. Where can I obtain more information?

Answer: For specific school publications or further information on admissions requirements, pre-professional curricula, grants and other financial aid, please correspond directly with the DCP admissions office of the CCE-accredited program or institution in which you are interested. The accredited programs are listed on this website and each program is accompanied by a link to its web page.

Contact the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners regarding required examinations at http://www.nbce.org/.

Chiropractic licensing boards in all states and the District of Columbia recognize graduates from CCE-accredited programs and institutions as having partially fulfilled the requirements for state licensure. Most state licensing boards require graduation from a CCE-accredited program or institution. Specific questions concerning licensure should be directed to the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards, http://www.fclb.org/.

For other questions you may contact the CCE Administrative Office by e-mail at cce@cce-usa.org, by telephone at (480) 443-8877~ (888) 443-3506 or by writing to:

The Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) 
Administrative Office
8049 85th Way
Scottsdale, AZ 85258

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