NBCE Part IV vs. SPEC Examination
LICENSURE GUIDANCE FOR CHIROPRACTORS
NBCE Part IV or the SPEC Examination?
If you are moving to another state or seeking a new chiropractic license, the examination you need is determined by the licensing board in the state where you are applying—not by the NBCE alone.
Who Determines Which Examination You Need?
The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners develops and administers chiropractic examinations, but each state licensing board establishes its own requirements for licensure, endorsement, and reciprocity. If you are already licensed and practicing, contact the chiropractic board in the state where you want to become licensed before registering for any examination.
Ask whether you qualify for licensure by endorsement or reciprocity based on your education, prior NBCE examinations, and practice history. Some states may accept the examinations you previously completed. Others may require additional testing based on their current laws and your individual circumstances.
1. Contact the state board
Confirm the requirements for the state where you plan to practice.
2. Ask about endorsement
Find out whether your education, exam history, and license record qualify.
3. Register after confirmation
Follow the examination requirement issued by that licensing board.
When Part IV May Be Required
NBCE Part IV is a practical examination used in the standard initial licensure pathway. It is commonly taken by chiropractic students and recent graduates completing the NBCE examination sequence.
A licensing board may also require Part IV from an experienced doctor who graduated before Part IV was required or whose original state did not require it at the time of initial licensure.
- Commonly associated with initial licensure
- May be required for endorsement in certain circumstances
- Current format includes Chiropractic Technique and Case Management encounters
When the SPEC May Be Required
The Special Purposes Examination for Chiropractic (SPEC) is a post-licensure examination designed to reassess a chiropractor’s current clinical competency and licensing eligibility.
It is not an initial licensure examination and does not replace NBCE Parts I, II, III, or IV. Eligibility generally requires that you hold or previously held a chiropractic license and receive authorization from a state or international licensing authority.
- Licensure by endorsement or reciprocity
- Returning after an extended absence
- Reestablishing licensure after a lapse
- Board-directed competency review
What the SPEC Assesses
The SPEC evaluates the knowledge and judgment expected of a practicing chiropractor through multiple-choice questions and clinical case scenarios.
Patient Evaluation
Patient history, case evaluation, physical examination, and neuromusculoskeletal assessment.
Diagnostic Reasoning
Diagnostic imaging, laboratory and special studies, clinical diagnosis, and decision-making.
Clinical Care
Chiropractic techniques, supportive interventions, rehabilitation, case management, and treatment planning.
Which Examination Should You Take?
There is no single answer that applies to every chiropractor. Confirm your requirements directly with the licensing board before registering.
- Your original NBCE examinations may already satisfy the state’s requirements.
- You may need to complete NBCE Part IV.
- You may need authorization to take the NBCE SPEC.
Official examination details are available from the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
The Irene Gold Associates SPEC Review
For five decades, Irene Gold Associates has helped chiropractic professionals prepare for board examinations and licensing requirements. Our NBCE SPEC Review is designed for licensed chiropractors who need a focused review of the clinical knowledge, reasoning, and content most relevant to the SPEC examination.
What's Included
- 60 days of unlimited access to the digital SPEC review program
- A curriculum focused on the clinical content areas covered by the SPEC
- Self-paced study from any location
Instructor Consultation
After completing the review, you receive a complimentary one-time consultation with an experienced instructor. The session provides up to 15 minutes of individualized guidance or discussion of approximately five remaining questions before your examination.
Once Your State Board Confirms the SPEC, Start Your Review
Review at your own pace with a program built specifically for licensed chiropractors preparing for the NBCE SPEC examination.