07/07/2025
Ever wondered what it takes to become a Doctor of Chiropractic?
First, an undergrad science degree.
Then, ~5000 hours of chiropractic college:
Anatomy
• Embryology
• Histology
• Osteology & Arthrology
• Musculoskeletal Gross Anatomy
• Spinal Anatomy
• Visceral Gross Anatomy
• Head and Neck Gross Anatomy
• Neuroanatomy - Central Nervous System
• Neuroanatomy - Peripheral Nervous System
Physiology
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Cellular and Neuromuscular Physiology
• Visceral Physiology
• Physiology Lab
• Endocrinology
Biochemistry & Microbiology
• Biochemistry I
• Biochemistry II
• Bacteriology & Virology
• Parasitology and Mycology
• Immunology and Disease Patterns
Pathology
• Pathology I
• Pathology II
Chiropractic Philosophy, Principles, and Assembly
• Chiropractic Assembly (multiple terms)
• Intro to Philosophy, Science & Art of Chiropractic
• History of Chiropractic
• Chiropractic Principles
Radiology
• Normal Radiographic Anatomy & Anomalies I
• Normal Radiographic Anatomy & Anomalies II
• X-Ray Physics
• Skeletal Radiology A
• Skeletal Radiology B
• Skeletal Radiology C
• Skeletal Radiology D
• Soft Tissue Radiology A
• Soft Tissue Radiology B
• Spinal X-Ray Positioning
• Extra Spinal X-Ray Positioning
• Radiology Report Writing
• Radiographic Quality and Critique
• Advanced Imaging
Diagnostic Sciences
• Visceral Diagnosis
• Orthopedic Diagnosis
• Neurological Diagnosis
• Gastroenterological Diagnosis
• Genitourinary Diagnosis
• Special Senses Diagnosis
• Geriatric Diagnosis
• Pediatric Diagnosis
• Integrated Diagnosis
• OB/GYN/Proctology
Clinical Laboratory Studies
• Clinical Skills
• Head/Neck Clinical Case Integration
• Lumbar-Pelvic Clinical Case Integration
• Visceral Clinical Case Integration
• Extremity Clinical Case Integration
• Advanced Clinical Case Integration I
• Advanced Clinical Case Integration II
• Advanced Clinical Case Topics
• OSCE Testing
Techniques
• Toggle Recoil Technique
• Full Spine Technique I
• Full Spine Technique II
• Full Spine Technique III
• Gonstead Technique
• Extra Spinal Technique I
• Extra Spinal Technique II
• Adjusting Special Populations
• Thompson Technique
• Advanced Thompson Technique
• Sacro-Occipital Technique
• Technique Strategies
• Torque Release Technique
• Wellness, Movement Assessment, Conditioning
• Advanced Wellness and Ergonomics
• Functional Restoration and Active Care
• Vertebral Subluxation Theories
Analysis & Instrumentation
• Vaso-Thermal Instrumentation
• Motion & Static Palpation I
• Motion & Static Palpation II
• Spinal Biomechanics
• X-Ray Full Spine Analysis
• Muscle, Gait, Posture Analysis
• Advanced Instrumentation
• Physiotherapeutic - Adjunct Procedures
Public Health & Nutrition
• Basic Nutrition
• Nutrition and Health
• Clinical Nutrition Disorders
• Toxicology and Substance Abuse
• Clinical Toxicology
• Public and Environmental Health
• Emergency Procedures
• Lifestyles for Health
Psychology
• Human Development
• Clinical Psychology
Business / Chiropractic Practice Management
• Personal Development I
• Communication Skills and Diversity
• Personal Finance
• Capstone I: Personal Development
• Capstone II: Marketing & Leadership
• Practice Development I
• Practice Development II Doctor-Patient Relationships
• Practice Management I: Introduction
• Chiropractic Practice Management
• Documentation and Coding
• Chiropractic Risk Management
• Ethics and Boundaries
Research
• Introduction to Research Methods
• Research Methods and Design
• Senior Case Presentation
• Individual Research Study
• Advanced Research Study
Clinical Experience
• Clinical Patient Experience I
• Fundamentals of Doctor/Patient Relationships
• Clinical Recording History & Chiropractic
• Student Clinic Orientation
• Student Clinic Practicum I & II
• Outpatient Clinic Orientation
• Clinic Outpatient I Practicum
• Clinic Outpatient II & III Practicum
• Level III Clinic Experience Orientation
• Level III Clinic Practicum I & II
+ 5 National Board exams to get licensed:
• Part I (General Anatomy, Spinal Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, Pathology, and Microbiology)
• Part II (General Diagnosis, Neuromusculoskeletal Diagnosis, Diagnostic Imaging, Principles Of Chiropractic, Chiropractic Practice, Associated Clinical Sciences)
• Part III (case history, physical examination, neuromusculoskeletal examination, diagnostic imaging, clinical laboratory and special studies, diagnosis or clinical impression, chiropractic techniques, supportive interventions, and case management)
• Part IV (Chiropractic Technique, Case Management- Perform case histories, Perform physical examinations, Perform orthopedic & neurological examinations; Choose the most likely diagnoses and/or clinical impressions; Choose the most appropriate case management procedures; Choose the most appropriate orthopedic/neurological tests to perform)
• Physiotherapy
+ State Jurisprudence exam
+ Countless other seminars for personal and professional advancement (24 hours per year per California Licensing Board)
