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State board hears National Board plan to centralize Part 4 practical exam in Greeley
Summary
Chairman Bahassan told the State Board of Caravan Designers that the National Board is redesigning the practical (Part 4) exam into seven case-based encounters, centralizing testing at a purpose-built center in Greeley, Colorado, expanding test windows and making other format and timing changes that will affect examinees’ travel and costs.
Chairman Bahassan told the State Board of Caravan Designers on Nov. 20 that the National Board has reworked how chiropractic licensure exams will be delivered, including a major redesign and centralization of the practical, or Part 4, assessment.
"The second and probably the most significant, change in National Boards is the redesign of a part 4 exam," Chairman Bahassan said, describing a shift from isolated stations to seven case-based encounters that simulate a continuous patient encounter. He said the new format will add a SOAP documentation component, include a dedicated technical station and require video recording of each encounter so examiners can replay and evaluate full clinical interactions.
The board heard that computer-based administrations were increased from three times a year to nine, offering examinees more flexibility. "Part 1 and part 2 were reduced from 5 hours to 4 hours and the number of questions were streamlined from 300 to 255," Chairman Bahassan said, noting the change is intended to reduce fatigue and place greater emphasis on clinically relevant domains.
To deliver the practical exam in a consistent, standardized way, the National Board plans a centralized assessment center on the National Board campus in Greeley, Colorado. The rendering shown to the board includes 20 identical encounter rooms, two adjacent testing "pods" to allow concurrent exams, observer rooms and one-way mirrors for state board observation. Chairman Bahassan said construction began and that the center is expected to be ready in early March or April 2026, with the last on-campus Part 4 anticipated in May.
Board members were told centralization is intended to stabilize costs and staffing. Chairman Bahassan said implementing the new model across 14 campus sites with upgraded technology would increase the National Board’s annual cost by "at least 64%," whereas centralization could reduce costs by about 6%. The board was also told the change will increase the portion of examinees who must travel: currently "40% of examinees travel to take the Part 4 exam" but under the new model 100% would travel; an internal estimate put average flight+hotel costs at about $427.
The National Board is offering logistical supports, including a shuttle from Denver International Airport, negotiated hotel rates adjacent to the assessment center and day-of-exam transportation to limit examinee burden. Chairman Bahassan encouraged board members to consult a recently posted 40-minute webinar on www.nbc.org for full details and invited members to participate in test committees or to observe exam administrations at the center.
Why it matters: The redesign and centralization change when and how candidates are licensed, increase the frequency of testing windows and shift travel costs onto examinees while aiming to standardize assessment and reduce per-exam administrative overhead. The board did not take formal action on these proposals; members asked for information and were invited to participate in committee work and oversight activities.
The board moved on to other agenda items after the presentation; more information and the webinar are available at nbc.org.
