OpenExamsFREE PRACTICE — ANY EXAM

Special Purposes Examination for Chiropractic — Information & Free Practice

US · Examination information

250 free questions · Answer explanations · No signup required

Start free practice →

Special Purposes Examination for Chiropractic

Provider
National Board of Chiropractic Examiners; administered at Prometric Testing Centers throughout North America
Format
Post-licensure multiple-choice examination in two parts, 100 traditional multiple-choice questions (TMCQ) and 40 extended multiple-choice cases (EMCQ), addressing the general clinical knowledge and understanding required for chiropractic practice; offered six times per year; both sessions must be completed to receive a score. Candidates must hold or have held a chiropractic license and need authorization from a state board or international licensing agency.
Exam questions
100 traditional multiple-choice questions and 40 extended multiple-choice cases
Time limit
Approximately three hours, in two equal sessions of 90 minutes each
Passing score
NBCE-recommended passing score of 375; use of SPEC scores is at the discretion of individual state licensing boards
Exam fee
$1,500 exam fee/retake fee
Examination outline
  • Case History (11%)
    • 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%)
    • 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%)
    • 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 (12%)
    • 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 (6%)
    • 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 (17%)
    • 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 (9%)
    • Chiropractic Techniques: Indications and contraindications for chiropractic care
    • Chiropractic Techniques: Spinal adjustive techniques
    • Chiropractic Techniques: Extremity adjustive techniques
    • Chiropractic Techniques: Skeletal biomechanics
  • Supportive Interventions (10%)
    • 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%)
    • 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
Examination sources

Related license preparation

This examination may be required or accepted as an alternative, depending on the license and application pathway.