written examinations

Overview

 

The NBCE written examinations are administered twice each year, in March and September at test sites in the United States, Canada, England, France, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

Examinations include Part I, Part II, and Part III, as well as the optional examinations Physiotherapy and Acupuncture.

To learn more about each of these examinations, click on the links at left.

To request a transcript of your examination scores, click here (PDF file).

Part I

Includes subject examinations in each of six basic science areas: general anatomy, spinal anatomy, physiology, chemistry, pathology, and microbiology. Each subject examination contains 110 standard multiple-choice questions and is allotted 90 minutes of testing time.

Part II

Consists of 110 multiple-choice questions in each of six clinical science areas, including general diagnosis, neuromusculoskeletal diagnosis, diagnostic imaging, principles of chiropractic, chiropractic practice, and associated clinical sciences. Each Part II subject is allotted 90 minutes of testing time, with a 20-minute break between subjects.

Part III

Addresses nine clinical areas: case history, physical examination, neuromusculoskeletal examination, diagnostic imaging, clinical laboratory and special studies, diagnosis or clinical impression,
chiropractic techniques, supportive interventions, and case management. The Part III Examination consists of two books, with a total of 110 standard multiple-choice questions and 10 case vignettes, broken down as follows:

Each book is allotted two hours of testing time.

Physiotherapy

An elective examination that consists of 92 standard multiple-choice questions and two case vignettes. Each case vignette includes three extended multiple-choice questions requiring three answers. The Physiotherapy Examination is allotted 90 minutes of testing time.

Acupuncture

An elective examination that consists of 200 standard multiple-choice questions. The Acupuncture Examination is divided into two books of 100 questions each. Each book is allotted 90 minutes of testing time.