Chiropractors generally have a desire to help people, a strong science background, and good communication skills. They also generally believe in the power of the body to heal itself. This page will walk you through the process of how to become a chiropractor.

Chiropractors use various methods of spinal and joint adjustment in order to treat a variety of conditions and diseases. Becoming licensed as a chiropractor typically requires six to eight years of study after high school, followed by passing state licensing exams and four national board tests.PayScale: What it Takes to Become a Chiropractor

The chiropractor today can work in diverse environments from private practice to multi-disciplinary clinics with other health professionals, chiropractic college faculty or lecturers, overseas founding the profession in a new country to part of the sports injury rehabilitation for professional sports teams. Diverse skills needed include public education on television, radio, Internet and print formats, giving talks to children in schools, consulting as part of development teams for ergonomic products, professional association conference presentations and offices held, and the capacity for advanced education in order to rise to leadership roles in colleges, universities, government and private settings at higher levels.

1. Consider job shadowing to learn about the field
2. Read chiropractic periodicals and journals
3. Apply to an accredited program
4. Review state licensing requirements before selecting a school
5. Emphasize science courses in college

• Chiropractors are licensed medical professionals who specialize in relieving pain and treating disorders caused by the misalignment of various parts of the musculoskeletal system. In addition to a sound educational background, successful chiropractors generally possess strong business and communication skills, as well as good manual coordination.

1. Most chiropractors work in private practice, so they need a strong accounting and marketing background in order to build a successful business.ChiropracticSchools.com: Top 10 Qualities of a Great Chiropractor
2. Chiropractors need to be good listeners to understand their patient's problems; they also need the ability to be able to explain the course of treatment simply yet thoroughly to the patient.ChiropracticSchools.com: Top 10 Qualities of a Great Chiropractor
3. In addition to listening skills, chiropractors need good observation skills to detect physical abnormalities that may indicate a misalignment.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Chiropractors
4. Chiropractic care is delivered with the hands, so manual dexterity and coordination is essential.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Chiropractors ChiropracticSchools.com: Top 10 Qualities of a Great Chiropractor
5. There is generally a high degree of physical contact with patients, which the aspiring chiropractor should be comfortable with.
6. You should take the opportunity to interview several chiropractors about their practice to get a better understanding of the field.
7. If possible, job shadowing or volunteering in a chiropractic office will be helpful.

• Most chiropractic schools require a four year bachelor's degree for admission.Natural Healers: Chiropractic Career State licensing requirements vary, but most require at least two years of undergraduate education, with many requiring a four year bachelor's degree.National Institute of Health: Office of Science Education - Chiropractor

1. A high school background in biology, mathematics, English, chemistry, and physics will prepare you for success with the college courses you'll need to prepare for chiropractic school.National Institute of Health: Office of Science Education - Chiropractor
2. Select courses that will satisfy the admissions requirements of the chiropractic school you'd like to attend. Although each chiropractic program has different requirements, most want applicants to have at least 90 hours of college courses, including English, the social sciences or humanities, organic and inorganic chemistry, biology, physics, and psychology.National Institute of Health: Office of Science Education - Chiropractor
3. Several chiropractic schools also have pre-chiropractic college programs, some of which grant bachelor's degrees. These can be good choices for students who are sure that they'd like to pursue a career in chiropractic.National Institute of Health: Office of Science Education - Chiropractor Natural Healers: Chiropractic Career

Creative Commons photo by SCUHS

• Chiropractic school involves four years of study that culminate in the granting of a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree. Students undergo approximately 4,200 hours of training that includes classroom study, lab work, and supervised clinical practice. Some schools run on the traditional nine month school year, while others run year-round.Natural Healers: Chiropractic Career There are 15 chiropractic schools in the United States accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education.The Council on Chiropractic Education: Accredited Doctor of Chiropractic Programs

1. The first two years generally emphasize science course work in subjects such as anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, public health, physiology, and pathology.ChiroWeb.net: Chiropractic Education
2. The second half of the training will include clinical work, where students begin diagnosing patients and performing spinal adjustments.Natural Healers: Chiropractic Career
3. Class work in the last two years covers topics such as manipulation and spinal adjustment, physical and laboratory diagnosis, neurology, orthopedics, geriatrics and physiotherapy.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Chiropractors
4. Training includes instruction on how to use medical technologies used to assist in diagnosis and treatment.ChiroWeb.net: Chiropractic Education
5. After graduation, chiropractors can continue their education in specialty areas that include orthopedics, neurology, sports injuries, occupational and industrial health, nutrition, diagnostic imaging, thermography, and internal disorders.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Chiropractors

Creative Commons photo by kaex0r

• Chiropractic licensing is governed by state boards, but, in general, after graduating from an accredited program, a Doctor of Chiropractic must pass a series of national board exams, as well as a licensing exam for the state in which he or she chooses to practice.NBCE: National Board of Chiropractic Examiners - News and UpdatesNational Institute of Health: Office of Science Education - ChiropractorBureau of Labor Statistics: [http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos071.htm#training Chiropractors

1. Contact your state board to apply for licensure.Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards: Official Directory - U.S. Boards
2. In order to maintain their licenses, most states require chiropractors to participate in continuing education programs.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Chiropractors

• As a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic, you're a member of one of the four major healing arts. You'll be able to practice anywhere in the state you've been licensed in. If you move, many states have reciprocity agreements, allowing you to receive a license to practice in another state without taking additional tests.American Chiropractic Association: Education

• Introduction
• Step 1: Decide If It's Right for You
• Step 2: Obtain an Undergraduate Education
• Step 3: Complete Chiropractic School
• Step 4: Get Licensed
• Conclusion
• References