Which Exams Does NBCE Offer and How Do I Apply?

The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) is the international testing agency for the chiropractic profession, and it offers a set of exams that fall into two broad groups: the core Part I–IV sequence (including the Physiotherapy exam, PHT) and additional exams such as SPEC, ACU, and state-sponsored exams. Applications for all of these are submitted through MyNBCE.ORG. The sections below show what each exam is for and how to start an application.

Core Exam Sequence

These are the main exams candidates typically move through on the path to licensure. According to the NBCE site, examinees apply for Part I, Part II, Part III, and PHT, and separately for Part IV.

The site groups Part I, Part II, Part III, and PHT together under one application path, while Part IV has its own application link. If you are unsure which stage you are at, check the requirements of your state board first, since the exams you need depend on your jurisdiction.

Additional and Special Exams

Beyond the core sequence, NBCE lists several other exam categories with their own application entries:

• SPEC — a specialty exam.
• ACU — an acupuncture-related exam.
• State-sponsored exams — exams arranged at the request of a state board.

These are applied for through the same MyNBCE.ORG portal, using the dedicated links for "Apply SPEC, ACU, State Sponsored Exams."

How to Apply: Step by Step

1. Confirm which exams you need. Check your state board's licensing requirements, because the required combination of Parts, PHT, and other exams varies by jurisdiction.
2. Go to MyNBCE.ORG. This is the application portal referenced on nbce.org for all exam applications.
3. Choose the correct application link. Use the Part I/II/III/PHT link, the Part IV link, or the SPEC/ACU/State Sponsored link depending on your exam.
4. Complete and submit the application. Follow the prompts in the portal for your selected exam.
5. Arrange transcripts if needed. The site also lists a separate "Requests for Transcripts" service for sending score results to boards or other recipients.

Practical Notes

• One portal for everything. Whether you are applying for a core exam or a special exam, the entry point is MyNBCE.ORG rather than separate sites.
• Transcripts are a separate request. Sending your results to a licensing board is handled through the transcript request process, not the exam application itself.
• Check state board rules early. State-sponsored exams exist because some boards require exams arranged specifically for their jurisdiction, so confirm this before you apply.
• Watch for news and updates. NBCE publishes news, publications, and information about test committee roles on its site; these can affect exam schedules and requirements.

If your goal is licensure, start with your state board's requirement list, then match it to the exam categories above and submit the corresponding application through MyNBCE.ORG.