Testing Process
Examination Material
National board testing (levels 1-3) is a 100 question multiple choice (A-D) written exam. The passing score is determined by appropriate psychometric standard deviation methodology. Candidates failing to achieve a passing score are provided the percentage of deficit in each topic area of testing. A candidate is allowed 2 additional times to retake the exam. Failure to pass the exam after 3 trials may result in the candidate completing further coursework. Test questions are submitted to the ACRB by instructors from all the approved rehabilitation programs. Test questions are selected using the Angoff method. The questions are processed to be gender and grammatically correct. The questions are prepared from course “core material” as defined through a Delphi process. The core material topic areas, operational definitions, references and test question distribution information are available by our website or by contacting the ACRB.
Level 1 delphi topics
Level 2 delphi topics
Level 3 delphi topics
As of March 31, 2010, the above delphi topics will not be utilized for testing.
Completion of 100 hours – Level 1 examination
A candidate is eligible to sit for the exam upon successful completion of 100 hours of level 1 post-graduate rehabilitation courses. A passing score fulfills the requirement for Part 1 of 4 toward diplomate status in rehabilitation and provides Level 1 registry status with the ACRB. A certificate of completion is provided.
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Sample questions
Completion of 200 hours – Level 2 examination
A candidate is eligible to sit for the exam upon successful completion of 100 hours of level 2 post-graduate rehabilitation courses. A passing score fulfills the requirement for Part 2 of 4 toward diplomate status in rehabilitation and provides Level 2 registry status with the ACRB. A certificate of completion is provided.
Download application
Sample questions
Completion of 300 hours – Level 3 examination
A candidate is eligible to sit for the exam upon successful completion of 100 hours of level 3 post-graduate rehabilitation courses. A passing score fulfills the requirement for Part 3 of 4 toward diplomate status in rehabilitation and provides Level 3 registry status with the ACRB. A certificate of completion is provided.
Download application
Sample questions
Oral Practical Examination
A candidate is eligible to sit for the oral exam after successfully completing the level 1, 2 and 3 written examinations. In addition to the application, a copy of the candidate’s chiropractic college diploma and state or province license must be provided.
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Oral exam format
Upon successful completion of the oral exam, the candidate has 18 months to submit a case study in rehabilitation to the board. It is recommended that the candidate send an e-mail to the board regarding the topic of their case study prior to writing the paper. The board will review the paper and, if accepted, the candidate will obtain diplomate status at that time and a certificate will be issued. If a candidate fails to submit an article within the above timeframe, they may have to retake the oral exam.
All doctors who have completed at least one level of the ACRB rehabilitation process must recertify on an annual basis in order to maintain an active status on the registry. In addition, all diplomates are required to attend the annual seminar once every two years.
Upcoming Exam Dates
Oral examinations will be held at the annual seminar in Los Angeles, CA March 4-6, 2010. Please call (877) 366-2272 for scheduling and further details.
Student Participation
Students may take rehabilitation courses while in school, but only after they have been "cleared" for clinic at their chiropractic school. They will be allowed to take the written and oral exams after graduation from a chiropractic college.