The Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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 designates 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 was
requirements. Within this section, you will see the year the program
accredited and the schedule for the next review of the program.
There is also a website link to each program 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, and
that it 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 has no
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 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.

The 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.

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.

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 in the "Directory of Doctor of
Chiropractic Programs and Solitary Purpose Chiropractic Institutions Holding
Accredited Status".

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. The accredited programs are listed
on this website and each program is accompanied by a link to its web page.

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 the 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 websites 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 state boards with the information you are requesting.

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, the 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 Board of Directors? 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) and refer to the appropriate policy based on
the type of complaint:

Policy: BOD-64 Complaints against CCE Board of Directors, Commission on
Accreditation and their members and Agents;

Policy: BOD-65 Complaints Regarding the Content of the CCE Standards and
Policies; and

BOD-67 Complaints against CCE D.C. Programs.

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 components of the CCE are the Board of Directors (BOD) and
the Commission on Accreditation (COA). 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
separate COA. 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 Board of Directors is composed of 13 individuals. The Board manages
the business affairs of the organization and is responsible for the revision of
the CCE Bylaws, Policies and Standards. They do not accredit programs.
No Board member may serve on the COA.

The Commission on Accreditation is composed of 11 members elected by
the Board of Directors. The COA is autonomous in carrying 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 Board of Directors and the Commission on Accreditation.

19. How does the COA 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 COA 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 COA?

Answer: All accreditation decisions are made by the COA. However,
all programs are provided “due process” before any accreditation
decision becomes final. The actions the COA 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
COA when is that information made public?

Answer: Adverse actions and sanctions may be imposed by the COA 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 COA determines there is a compelling reason for
immediate disclosure. The only adverse decisions of the COA, 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 DCP 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. 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 Executive Office by e-mail
at cce@cce-usa.org, by telephone at (480) 443-8877 or by writing to:

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