So you’re wondering how long does it take to become a chiropractor? The short answer: plan for 7-8 years minimum, but the real timeline depends on your starting point and what you want to specialize in. Let me break down exactly what you’re looking at, step by step.
Table of Contents
Undergraduate Prerequisites First
Before you even apply to chiropractic school, you need to complete specific undergraduate coursework. Most programs require 60-90 credit hours of prerequisite courses. We’re talking biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, anatomy, and biochemistry. If you’re starting fresh, that’s typically 2-3 years of full-time study at a community college or university. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, you might knock this out in one year by taking courses part-time or during summer sessions. The key is that these prerequisites aren’t optional—every accredited chiropractic program demands them.
Chiropractic School Duration
This is where the real commitment begins. Accredited Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) programs run 4 years full-time. That’s roughly 4,200 classroom and clinical hours packed into your schedule. You’ll spend time in lectures learning spinal anatomy, neurology, and diagnosis techniques, then move into hands-on clinical work where you actually treat patients under supervision. The curriculum is rigorous—similar in intensity to dental or medical school, but specialized for chiropractic care. Some programs offer accelerated tracks that compress the program into 3 years, but you’re still looking at year-round study with minimal breaks.
Licensing and Board Exams
After graduation, you can’t just hang out a shingle and start treating patients. You need to pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) exams. There are four parts to this exam series, and most people take them while still in school or immediately after graduation. The whole testing process typically takes 3-6 months to complete. Then you apply for state licensure, which varies by location but usually takes another 1-3 months. Some states have additional requirements like specific hours in certain techniques or additional state-specific exams. Plan for 6-9 months total from graduation to holding your actual license in hand.
Residency and Specialization Options
Here’s where things get flexible. Unlike MDs, chiropractors don’t require residencies to practice. You can start working immediately after licensure. However, if you want to specialize—say in sports medicine, orthopedics, or neurology—you can pursue a postgraduate residency or certification. These programs typically run 1-3 years and are completed while working or studying part-time. Many chiropractors skip this step entirely and build their expertise through continuing education and practice experience. If you want to compare career paths, how to become an ultrasound technician follows a similar educational structure but with different specialization routes.
Total Time Investment Breakdown
Let’s do the math for someone starting from scratch with no college degree:
- Prerequisite courses: 2-3 years
- Chiropractic school: 4 years
- Licensing exams and state licensure: 6-9 months
- Total minimum: 6.5-7.75 years
If you already have a bachelor’s degree and completed some prerequisites, you might shave 1-2 years off. If you pursue a specialization residency after licensure, add another 1-3 years. So the realistic range is 6.5 to 10+ years depending on your starting point and career ambitions.
Can You Speed Things Up?
Some schools advertise accelerated programs, but don’t let that fool you. A 3-year D.C. program still requires the same 4,200 hours of instruction—they’re just packing it into a shorter calendar with year-round classes and minimal breaks. You’re not saving time; you’re intensifying the workload. The prerequisite courses can’t really be rushed either if you’re coming in without a science background. Your best bet for actually saving time is having already completed a relevant bachelor’s degree. Then you can potentially overlap your remaining prerequisites with early chiropractic coursework at some schools.
Real-World Timeline Examples
Scenario 1: High school graduate, no college
Year 1-2: Community college prerequisites (60 credits)
Year 3-6: Chiropractic school
Year 6-7: Licensing and board exams
Total: 7 years to licensure
Scenario 2: Bachelor’s degree holder in unrelated field
Year 1: Prerequisite coursework (some schools allow concurrent enrollment)
Year 2-5: Chiropractic school
Year 5-6: Licensing and board exams
Total: 5.5-6 years to licensure
Scenario 3: Bachelor’s in biology or pre-med
Most prerequisites already completed
Year 1-4: Chiropractic school
Year 4-5: Licensing and board exams
Total: 4.5-5 years to licensure
What Comes After Licensure
Once licensed, many chiropractors spend the first 2-3 years building their practice or working for an established clinic while refining their skills. Continuing education is mandatory in all states—typically 12-30 hours per year depending on your state. Some practitioners invest in additional certifications in techniques like Active Release Technique (ART) or Graston Technique, which adds 6-12 months of part-time study. The learning never really stops, but the structured, full-time educational commitment ends once you’re licensed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a bachelor’s degree to become a chiropractor?
No, you don’t need a completed bachelor’s degree, but you do need 60-90 credit hours of specific prerequisite coursework. Many people complete these requirements without finishing a full bachelor’s program, though having a degree makes the process smoother and faster.
Can I work as a chiropractor while still in school?
Most programs require full-time attendance and don’t allow outside work during clinical phases. Some students work part-time during the first 1-2 years of prerequisites, but chiropractic school itself demands your full attention.
Is the NBCE exam hard to pass?
The exam is comprehensive but passable. Most graduates pass on their first attempt if they studied properly. Pass rates typically hover around 80-85% for first-time test takers. You can retake it if needed, but that adds time and expense.
What’s the cost of becoming a chiropractor?
Total cost ranges from $50,000 to $150,000+ depending on whether you attend public or private schools and how you handle prerequisites. This includes tuition, books, and licensing fees but doesn’t account for living expenses during school.
Can I become a chiropractor faster by attending school year-round?
Some schools offer year-round programs that compress 4 years into 3 calendar years, but you’re still completing the same 4,200+ hours of instruction. You’re not saving time—just condensing the schedule into fewer months with longer study days.
Do I need to specialize after becoming a chiropractor?
No. You can practice general chiropractic immediately after licensure. Specialization is optional and typically pursued by chiropractors who want to focus on specific populations like athletes or develop expertise in advanced techniques.
How does chiropractic education compare to medical school?
Chiropractic school requires similar classroom hours and rigor as medical school but with a different focus. Medical school is typically 4 years plus 3-7 years of residency, making the total timeline longer. Chiropractors can practice independently after licensure without additional residency requirements.
Can I transfer credits from one chiropractic school to another?
Credit transfers between chiropractic programs are limited and school-specific. Most accredited schools won’t accept credits from non-accredited institutions, so switching schools mid-program usually means losing credits and extending your timeline.
The bottom line: Plan for 7-8 years if you’re starting from scratch, less if you already have relevant education. It’s a significant time investment, but once you’re licensed, you have a career you can practice for decades with flexibility in specialization and practice setting. The structured educational phase is intense but finite—then the real learning begins in clinical practice.
