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Tips for patients · October 17, 2026
What does DC mean? Chiropractor credentials, explained
DC, national boards, a state license, extra certificates: what each chiropractor credential means, who grants it, and how to check it in a minute.
The letters after a chiropractor’s name tell you a lot, if you know what they mean. Here is each credential, who grants it, and how to check it.
DC: Doctor of Chiropractic
DC stands for Doctor of Chiropractic, the degree chiropractors earn from an accredited chiropractic college. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and NCCIH, the program usually takes 4 years and requires at least 3 years of undergraduate study to enroll. The degree alone does not allow someone to practice.
Accreditation: the CCE
The Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as the accrediting agency for Doctor of Chiropractic programs. A DC from a CCE-accredited program is the standard route to a license.
National board exams: the NBCE
NCCIH says chiropractors must pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) exam to practice in the United States. The NBCE runs several exams, including Parts I to IV and a physiotherapy exam.
The state license
Every state requires chiropractors to be licensed, which includes passing an exam. NCCIH adds that many states also test chiropractors on state-specific laws, that all states require continuing education, and that what a chiropractor may do (their scope of practice) varies from state to state. A license is for one state: a chiropractor near a state line may hold two.
Extra certifications
Some chiropractors list certifications from professional associations, for example in pregnancy and pediatric care. These show extra training, but they are not a state license. Ask what the certification involved and who granted it.
At a glance
| Credential | Who grants it | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| DC degree | An accredited chiropractic college | Completed chiropractic education |
| CCE accreditation | Council on Chiropractic Education | The college’s program meets national standards |
| NBCE exams | National Board of Chiropractic Examiners | Passed the national exams |
| State license | The state’s chiropractic board | Legally allowed to practice in that state |
| Association certificates | Professional associations | Extra training in an area, not a license |
How to check in a minute
The state license is the one to check. Open your state board’s official lookup, search the chiropractor’s name and look for an active status. Our license guide links every state’s lookup, and our guide to chiropractors, physical therapists and DOs compares their training.
Related guides
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Chiropractors
- NCCIH – Chiropractic: In Depth
- Council on Chiropractic Education – Recognition
- National Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Published October 17, 2026 by the ChiroScience editorial team, with sources fetched in October 2026. General information, not medical, legal or insurance advice. More from the blog