To become a chiropractor in the US, you'll complete at least three years of undergraduate study, earn a four-year Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree from an accredited chiropractic college, pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners exams and get a license from the state where you'll practice. Every state licenses chiropractors.
The degree is the long part, but the license is what lets you treat patients, and each state sets its own extra steps. Here's how the pieces fit.
Figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook and the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE), read on 26 October 2026.
The four steps the NBCE lists
- Earn college credit in general studies. BLS says D.C. programs require at least three years of undergraduate study, and the NBCE notes some states require a full bachelor's degree. Biology, kinesiology and exercise physiology are common majors.
- Graduate from an accredited chiropractic college. A D.C. program usually takes four years and covers anatomy, physiology and supervised clinical work in diagnosis, spinal assessment and adjustment techniques.
- Pass the NBCE exams and any state exams. The NBCE runs computer-based pre-licensure exams in Parts I, II, III and a physiotherapy exam.
- Meet your state's licensing rules. These typically include a criminal background check and a state jurisprudence exam on the state's scope of practice.
The NBCE tests you, but it doesn't license you
This trips people up. The NBCE is a testing organization. It doesn't certify or license chiropractors. Your state board reviews your transcripts and NBCE scores, then decides whether to issue a license. NBCE says most states require passing scores on all or part of its four-part test, and chiropractors may only practice in states where they're licensed.
If you think you might move after graduating, check the boards in both states before you sit your exams, because the parts each state requires can differ. All states also require a set number of continuing education hours to keep your license.
Pay and job outlook
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Median pay (May 2025) | $79,200 a year |
| Lowest 10% earned less than | $43,460 |
| Highest 10% earned more than | $146,080 |
| Jobs in 2025 | 61,700 |
| Projected growth 2025 to 2035 | 9%, much faster than average |
| Openings each year | About 2,600 |
Those pay figures are as of October 2026. One thing to know before you read too much into the median: BLS wage data don't cover self-employed workers or owners of unincorporated businesses, and 36 in every 100 chiropractors are self-employed. Offices of chiropractors employ 57%. BLS says chiropractors tend to earn more as they build a client base and become owners or partners in a practice.
Running your own practice
Because so many chiropractors work for themselves, business skills matter almost as much as clinical ones. D.C. programs may include courses in marketing and finance for that reason. Once you're open, the right chiropractic software handles scheduling, notes and billing, and these AI tools for chiropractors can help you fill the diary.
What the work is like
Chiropractors typically work in office settings and may need to stand for long periods and lift or turn patients. Most work full time, but part-time work is common, and many keep evening or weekend hours to fit their patients. Self-employed chiropractors can set their own schedules.
By law, licensed chiropractors may use the titles Doctor of Chiropractic, D.C. or Chiropractic Physician. Some go on to postgraduate diplomate programs in areas such as orthopedics, acupuncture or pediatrics.
What chiropractors do day to day
BLS lists these typical duties:
- Reviewing a patient's medical history and listening to their concerns
- Examining posture, spine and reflexes
- Adjusting the spinal column and other joints
- Giving other treatments, such as applying heat or cold to injured areas
- Advising on exercise, nutrition and lifestyle
- Referring patients to other healthcare professionals when needed
Chiropractors focus on pain in the back, neck and joints, with the goal of improving the body's motion and function. BLS points to dexterity for manual adjustments, empathy for patients in pain and interpersonal skills, which it ties directly to putting patients at ease and growing a practice. Decision-making matters too, including knowing when a patient needs someone else.
Questions to ask yourself first
- Do I want to run a business? With more than a third of chiropractors self-employed, there's a good chance you'll own or co-own a practice at some point.
- Which state will I practice in? Undergraduate requirements and exam parts differ, so your target state shapes your whole plan.
- Am I comfortable with physical work? Standing for long periods and moving patients is part of every day.
- Will I keep learning? Continuing education is a condition of keeping your license in every state.
If you can answer yes to most of these, the long training pays off in a career with strong demand and real independence.
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My verdict
Becoming a chiropractor takes about seven years after high school, and the license comes from your state, not the national board. Check your target state's undergraduate and exam rules before you apply to a D.C. program, and plan for the business side early. The job outlook is strong, and the income ceiling rises sharply once you own a practice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a chiropractor?
At least three years of undergraduate study plus a four-year Doctor of Chiropractic degree, then the board exams and a state license.
Do you need a bachelor's degree to be a chiropractor?
D.C. programs require at least three years of undergraduate study, and the NBCE notes some states require a full bachelor's degree.
What exams do chiropractors take?
The NBCE's pre-licensure exams in Parts I, II, III and a physiotherapy exam, plus any exams your state requires, such as a jurisprudence exam.
Does the NBCE license chiropractors?
No. The NBCE prepares and runs the exams, and the state board decides whether to issue a license.
How much do chiropractors make?
BLS reports a median of $79,200 a year in May 2025, though its data don't include self-employed chiropractors.
Is chiropractic a growing field?
Yes. BLS projects 9% growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Can chiropractors work part time?
Yes. Most work full time, but part-time work is common and self-employed chiropractors set their own hours.
What do chiropractors treat?
Problems of the neuromusculoskeletal system, especially pain in the back, neck and joints, according to BLS.
