Part III — Information & Free Practice
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Part III
- Provider
- National Board of Chiropractic Examiners; computer-based testing at chiropractic colleges and Prometric testing centers
- Format
- Computer-based examination with three item types that equally contribute to the total exam score: traditional multiple-choice (TMCQ, 1 response), extended multiple-choice cases (EMCQ, case presentation followed by a question requiring 2 responses) and diagnostic imaging interpretation (DXI, imaging set followed by a question requiring 1 response). Applications coded V2PT3 take this version with DXI; applications coded PT3 take the version without DXI, whose published test plan covers the same nine clinical categories without the DXI portion (category weightings on that plan: Case History 11%, Physical Examination 9%, Neuromusculoskeletal Examination 11%, Diagnostic Imaging 11%, Clinical Laboratory and Special Studies 7%, Diagnosis or Clinical Impression 14%, Chiropractic Techniques 14%, Supportive Interventions 8%, Case Management 15%). The NBCE states that almost every examinee takes the version with DXI.
- Exam questions
- 80 traditional multiple-choice questions, 20 extended multiple-choice case presentations and 30 diagnostic imaging interpretation sets
- Time limit
- 4 hours testing time; 4 hours 31 minutes appointment including tutorial, end-of-exam survey and optional 15-minute break
- Passing score
- 375
- Exam fee
- $710
Examination outline
Traditional multiple-choice (TMCQ) and extended multiple-choice cases (EMCQ): nine categories of clinical competency (80%)
- Case History - 11% of the TMCQ/EMCQ content
- Case History: Chief complaint
- Case History: Present illness
- Case History: Past history
- Case History: Family history
- Case History: Personal and social history
- Case History: Review of systems
- Physical Examination - 8% of the TMCQ/EMCQ content
- Physical Examination: General survey
- Physical Examination: Head and neck examination
- Physical Examination: Thorax and lung examination
- Physical Examination: Cardiovascular examination
- Physical Examination: Breast and axilla examination
- Physical Examination: Abdominal examination
- Physical Examination: Urogenital examination
- Physical Examination: Rectal examination
- Neuromusculoskeletal Examination - 12% of the TMCQ/EMCQ content
- Neuromusculoskeletal Examination: Posture and gait analysis
- Neuromusculoskeletal Examination: Standard spinal and extremity orthopedic procedures
- Neuromusculoskeletal Examination: Standard neurological testing procedures
- Neuromusculoskeletal Examination: Peripheral vascular examination procedures
- Diagnostic Imaging - 11% of the TMCQ/EMCQ content
- Diagnostic Imaging: Indications and contraindications for diagnostic imaging procedures
- Diagnostic Imaging: Patient protection and positioning
- Diagnostic Imaging: Normal anatomy
- Diagnostic Imaging: Description and interpretation of images
- Clinical Laboratory and Special Studies - 7% of the TMCQ/EMCQ content
- Clinical Laboratory and Special Studies: Urinalysis
- Clinical Laboratory and Special Studies: Hematology
- Clinical Laboratory and Special Studies: Serology
- Clinical Laboratory and Special Studies: Blood chemistries
- Clinical Laboratory and Special Studies: Stool analysis
- Clinical Laboratory and Special Studies: Joint fluid analysis
- Clinical Laboratory and Special Studies: Electrophysiologic recordings (EEG, ECG, EMG, and NCV)
- Diagnosis or Clinical Impression - 16% of the TMCQ/EMCQ content
- Diagnosis or Clinical Impression: Patient history
- Diagnosis or Clinical Impression: Physical and neuromusculoskeletal examinations
- Diagnosis or Clinical Impression: Diagnostic imaging
- Diagnosis or Clinical Impression: Clinical laboratory and special studies
- Chiropractic Techniques - 11% of the TMCQ/EMCQ content
- Chiropractic Techniques: Indications and contraindications for chiropractic care
- Chiropractic Techniques: Spinal adjustive techniques
- Chiropractic Techniques: Extremity adjustive techniques
- Chiropractic Techniques: Skeletal biomechanics
- Supportive Interventions - 9% of the TMCQ/EMCQ content
- Supportive Interventions: Physiotherapy modalities
- Supportive Interventions: Nutrition and diet
- Supportive Interventions: Corrective exercises and rehabilitation
- Supportive Interventions: Protective body mechanics and ergonomics
- Supportive Interventions: Patient education and self-care
- Supportive Interventions: Wellness and lifestyle counseling
- Case Management - 15% of the TMCQ/EMCQ content
- Case Management: Formulation of a treatment plan and prognosis
- Case Management: Appropriate procedures for case follow-up and review
- Case Management: Patient referral and/or co-management
- Case Management: Clinical documentation and informed consent
Diagnostic Imaging Interpretation (DXI): six categories (20%)
- DXI - Arthritic Disorders - 30% of the DXI content
- DXI - Arthritic Disorders: Degenerative
- DXI - Arthritic Disorders: Inflammatory
- DXI - Arthritic Disorders: Metabolic/Crystalline
- DXI - Congenital Anomalies and Skeletal Variants - 15% of the DXI content
- DXI - Congenital Anomalies and Skeletal Variants: Spinal
- DXI - Congenital Anomalies and Skeletal Variants: Extraspinal
- DXI - Congenital Anomalies and Skeletal Variants: Scoliosis
- DXI - Trauma - 10% of the DXI content
- DXI - Trauma: Skeletal
- DXI - Trauma: Soft tissue
- DXI - Tumors and Tumor-like Processes - 20% of the DXI content
- DXI - Tumors and Tumor-like Processes: Benign
- DXI - Tumors and Tumor-like Processes: Primary malignant
- DXI - Tumors and Tumor-like Processes: Metastatic
- DXI - Tumors and Tumor-like Processes: Tumor-like
- DXI - Miscellaneous Osteoarticular - 15% of the DXI content
- DXI - Miscellaneous Osteoarticular: Hematological/Vascular
- DXI - Miscellaneous Osteoarticular: Infections
- DXI - Miscellaneous Osteoarticular: Nutritional/Metabolic
- DXI - Miscellaneous Osteoarticular: Endocrine
- DXI - Soft Tissue - 10% of the DXI content
- DXI - Soft Tissue: Chest
- DXI - Soft Tissue: Abdomen
- DXI - Soft Tissue: Miscellaneous
Examination sources
- NBCE — Part III Test Plan (WITH Diagnostic Imaging Interpretation/DXI)
Introductory paragraph, 80% TMCQ/EMCQ portion
- NBCE — Part III Test Plan (WITH Diagnostic Imaging Interpretation/DXI)
DXI portion, 20% of exam content
- NBCE — Part III Test Plan (WITH Diagnostic Imaging Interpretation/DXI)
Final DXI category
- NBCE — Part III Exam
What Is A Passing Score For Part III?
- NBCE — Part III Exam
Part III WITH Diagnostic Imaging Interpretation (DXI), item types
- NBCE — Part III Exam
Exam Update Details, application code V2PT3
- NBCE — Part III Exam
Exam Update Details, application code PT3
- NBCE — Part III Exam
Please Note
- NBCE — Part III Test Plan (WITHOUT Diagnostic Imaging Interpretation/DXI)
Page heading
- NBCE — Part III Exam
Who Can Take Part III?
- NBCE — Part III Exam
Part III Fees
- NBCE — Dates & Deadlines: CBT Exams
2026 Administrations – CBT, heading
- NBCE — Dates & Deadlines: CBT Exams
2026 Administrations – CBT, first administration row
Related license preparation
This examination may be required or accepted as an alternative, depending on the license and application pathway.
- License to Practice Chiropractic; Military Spouse Temporary License to Practice Chiropractic
- Chiropractic Acupuncture Certification; Chiropractic Medicine Faculty Certificate; Chiropractic Physician
- temporary permit; Chiropractor License; Chiropractor Limited Temporary Permit; Chiropractic Graduate Student Permit
- Louisiana Chiropractic Internship; License to Practice Chiropractic; Temporary Military Chiropractic Permit
- License to Practice Chiropractic; License to Practice Chiropractic with the Right to Practice Physical Therapy; Temporary License to Practice Chiropractic
- Chiropractic license; Chiropractic insurance consultant certification; Meridian therapy/acupressure/acupuncture certification; Temporary chiropractic license
- Certificate to practice acupuncture; License to practice chiropractic; temporary acupuncture certificate; Temporary license to practice chiropractic; Special limited license to practice chiropractic
- Animal Chiropractic Diagnosis and Treatment Certification; Chiropractic Claims Consultant Certificate; Dry Needling Specialty Registration; Homeopathy Specialty Registration; renewal license for inactive non-resident licensees; renewal license for inactive resident licensees; Original License to Practice Chiropractic; Naturopathy Specialty Registration; Retired Chiropractic Renewal License; Post-doctorate Chiropractic Specialty Registration; Temporary Chiropractic License
- certification of special competency in minor surgery and/or proctology; certification of special competency in obstetrics; Chiropractic physician license
- License to Practice Chiropractic; Provisional License; Temporary Faculty License; Temporary License