Whether you’re considering becoming a chiropractor or simply want to know what type of training your chiropractor has completed, you might be asking yourself, “What does it take to become a chiropractor?” The following should help clear things up.
Education
A chiropractor completes a lot of schooling before he or she can practice. Four years of professional study is the minimum, with four years of undergrad in many states. The four years of professional study will include two basic sciences and Part 1 of the National Boards. The next two years will be clinical sciences, and Part 2 of the National Boards will them be completed.
If the chiropractor intends to use physiological therapeutics, he or she will need to complete Part 3 of the National Boards. Part 4 is a practical skills exam that tests case management, diagnostic imaging and chiropractic technique.
Internship
A chiropractor will typically have to complete at least one year of an internship after his or her four years of professional study, depending on state requirements. This gives the prospective professional a good idea of how to use everything he or she has studied in the real world. The internship requirements will have to be fulfilled before he or she can become licensed.
Post-Grad Requirements
Not every state requires post-graduate requirements, but many do. For example, a chiropractor may have to complete 40 hours of requirements every couple of years to keep his or her license. He or she may have to fulfill a one- to three-year residency before embarking into the professional world alone. If the chiropractor wishes to certify in a specific area, that will also take additional time and training. Some common certification programs include rehabilitation, radiology, nutrition, neurology, family practice, sports medicine, orthopedics and pediatrics.
Experience
Even after all the training, interning and additional requirements, a chiropractor will only get better with real-world experience. Whether he or she opens up a private practice or works with a group of other professionals, that experience could launch him or her into a very successful career.
Contacting a Chiropractor Today
Chiropractors do a lot of good for the world. There are a lot of people suffering in pain because they don’t know what is wrong with them. Perhaps they have recurring headaches or severe back pain. A chiropractor can help. If you’ve found yourself in a painful situation and want the assistance of a professional who can really help, contact a chiropractor, like a chiropractor in Rockville, MD, today.
Thank you to the experts at AmeriWell Clinics for their input into chiropractic care.