If you plan on living and practicing in the United States, stop right now and make a list of all the states in which you might possibly want to practice. Did you list all 50? Why not? What if you said, “I’m never going to practice in Maryland,” and you decided 10 years after graduation that you wanted to practice there? If you didn’t receive a bachelor’s degree before you graduated from chiropractic college, you would never be able to practice in Maryland. So, consider requirements carefully:

1. If possible, finish your bachelor’s degree before you graduate from chiropractic school so you aren’t restricted from practicing in certain states (such as Maryland and Florida).

Issue 3 > Finding a neighborhood for practice > What is an Independent Contractor? > Get the Facts > Teaming up: A chiropractic alternative > Project No.3 > Understanding the Licensure Process > Download this Issue in pdf format

2. Check carefully the licensing requirements in states where you most likely will practice. Go to the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards Web site (www.fclb.org), click on “Chiropractic Boards”, and locate the board in any state.

3. Read ALL of the licensing information carefully. Note which of the national board exams this state accepts. Note any specific coursework or additional testing required by the state (Oregon, for example, requires an additional 36 hours of coursework in minor surgery/proctology.).

4. Check with the licensing specialist at your school to see if he or she has additional information.

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