All healthcare practitioners undergo a rigorous course of study and chiropractors are no exception.[1] They are required to complete a minimum of three years of university before they are eligible for admission to the Doctor of Chiropractic Degree program and have a minimum of 7 years combined prior to graduation. Comprehensive national examinations are administered by the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board (CCEB) and must be passed before a student can write the required provincial exam to become licenced by the regulatory authority in their province of practice. Chiropractors educated outside of Canada are also required to pass the same Canadian qualifying examinations to become licensed to practice in this country.[2]

In British Columbia, chiropractors are regulated by the College of Chiropractors of British Columbia (CCBC). The CCBC sets the standards for all practicing chiropractors and performs ongoing competency requirements such as continuing education, quality assurance measures and criminal record checks.[3]

Chiropractors are primary health care providers with extensive knowledge in spinal and musculoskeletal health, emphasizing differential diagnosis, clinical x-ray interpretation and diagnosis, patient centered care, and research. Their specific training in spinal manipulative therapy allows them to provide adjustments using highly-skilled and precise movements to the vertebrae of the spine, correcting joint motion to restore proper movement and improve function.[4]

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References:

1] Canadian Chiropractic Association. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.chiropractic.ca/about-chiropractic/canadian-chiropractors/regulation-and-education/

[2] Canadian Chiropractic Association. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.chiropractic.ca/about-chiropractic/canadian-chiropractors/regulation-and-education/

[3] College of Chiropractors of BC. (2017) Chiropractic and You. Retrieved from  http://www.chirobc.com/chiropractic-and-you/

[4] Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. (2017). Academic Programs. Retrieved from https://www.cmcc.ca/academic-programs/doctor-of-chiropractic-program