Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Professional Exam topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Chiropractic groups seek removal of NBCE Part 4 requirement, citing redundancy and access barriers
Summary
SB641 would remove the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners' Part 4 practical exam from state statute, arguing accredited chiropractic schools already certify clinical competency; sponsors cited the NBCE's decision to centralize Part 4 testing in Colorado as an access and cost burden.
Senator Howard Pearl told the committee SB641 would remove the NBCE Part 4 practical exam requirement from state law because accredited chiropractic colleges already certify clinical competency through supervised internships and institutional assessments. The sponsor said the NBCE has centralized Part 4 testing in Greeley, Colorado, with testing costs exceeding $1,500 and travel burdens that create equity and access problems for candidates.
Multiple chiropractors, including educators and board members, supported the change, saying Parts 1–3 (written national exams), graduation from an accredited chiropractic college and the state jurisprudence exam would remain. Speakers cited high institutional standards and external accreditation by the Council on Chiropractic Education (recognized by the U.S. Department of Education) as sufficient public‑safety protections.
Some witnesses and a current state board member cautioned there is a high pass rate on Part 4 and noted the practical exam has historically been a standard for licensure; others said the private, for‑profit test vendor should not be mandated in statute. OPLC staff said the office can operationalize a statutory change if the legislature directs it, and the committee closed the hearing after extended testimony.
