What Are The Educational Requirements For A Chiropractor?

Wondering how your chiropractor's education stacks up against other doctors? Here's a clear breakdown of chiropractic training, and how it compares to medical school, so you can feel confident in your care.

Chiropractic Education Requirements

Chiropractors complete rigorous, doctor-level training before treating patients:

• Bachelor's degree (pre-med coursework like biology, chemistry, physics)

• 4+ years at accredited chiropractic college (minimum 4,200 classroom/lab hours)

• 1,000+ hours of hands-on clinical practice under licensed doctors

• National board exams (4 parts covering basic sciences, diagnostics, imaging, case management)

• State licensure + ongoing continuing education (e.g., 40 hours every 2 years in many states)

Key classroom focus: Anatomy, physiology, diagnosis, radiology, orthopedics, neurology, nutrition, pediatrics, and clinical research, more hours than MDs in anatomy, physiology, x-rays, and musculoskeletal care.

Chiropractic training emphasizes non-surgical solutions for back pain, neck pain, headaches, sciatica, and injuries. Our doctors at Carolina ChiroCare and Rehab have this extensive background plus advanced certifications in spinal decompression, laser therapy, and injury rehab.

This means personalized care that targets the root cause, not just symptoms.

Ready to discuss your situation? Contact our Raleigh team today or schedule online. We're here to answer your questions and coordinate with your other providers.