Chiropractors must be licensed everywhere in the U.S. but the requirements for licensure can vary from state to state since individual states are the issuing bodies.
Chiropractors in California must obtain a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from a board-approved chiropractic college. Doctor of Chiropractic degrees typically take four years to earn, but can take longer depending on if you have a bachelor’s degree already.
Hold a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from a board-approved college
Pass an exam
Submit a completed licensure application to the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners, which includes fingerprinting
Keep up with continuing education and follow all applicable laws and regulations to maintain licensure
Education and training requirements
If you have already earned a bachelor’s degree in a health or sciences-related field, you can apply and enroll in a board-approved chiropractic college. If you do not have a bachelor’s degree, it’s strongly recommended that you take at least 90 hours (three years) worth of undergraduate classes in related fields.
In chiropractic college, aspiring chiropractors take classes in subjects such as biology, chemistry, medical ethics, physiology and anatomy. Students also get hands-on experience by participating in clinical rotations and/or internships.
California practitioners must take and pass five parts of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) exam in order to be eligible for licensure in California. The only way you can sit for any of the exams is if you’ve studied or are currently studying at a recognized chiropractic college.
Part I: A 300-question multiple choice computerized exam on the following topics:
Spinal anatomy
General anatomy
Physiology
Chemistry
Pathology
Microbiology
You are eligible to take this exam starting your second year at chiropractic college. You must pass this first exam first in order to sit for later exams.
Part II: A 300-question multiple choice computerized exam on the following topics:
General diagnosis
Neuromusculoskeletal diagnosis
Diagnostic imaging
Principles Of chiropractic
Chiropractic practice
Associated clinical sciences
You can take this exam as early as your third year in chiropractic college.
Part III: Part III aptly consists of three parts which are:
80 multiple choice questions plus 20 cases on the following categories:
Physical examination
Neuromusculoskeletal examination
Diagnostic imaging
Clinical laboratory and special studies
Diagnosis or clinical impression
Chiropractic techniques
Supportive interventions
Case management
And then diagnostic imaging interpretation (also known as DXI), on 30 imaging sets.
You must be within nine months of graduation from chiropractic college before taking Part III.
Part IV: There are two parts to this exam. The first part is the chiropractic technique exam in which you are given five different stations and five minutes to complete each station.
At each station, you will be given instructions on different chiropractic techniques. You must demonstrate the techniques in accordance with the instructions given in front of licensed chiropractors.
The second part of the exam is case management. This exam has 20 stations and you have five minutes to complete each one. At each station, you will need to perform certain activities or answer questions related to a clinical patient case. Your grade on this exam will be determined by how well you make use of your time given as well as the skills you demonstrate.
Physiotherapy exam: You must complete 120 hours of instruction in physiotherapy in order to sit for this computerized exam. You can take this exam in conjunction with other NBCE exams.
In addition, to the NBCE exam, you must also pass the California Chiropractic Law Examination
(CCLE). This exam is administered via computer. You will be invited to take this exam upon proper submission and approval of your degree history, NBCE exam results, background check, fingerprinting, and fee payment.
At each station, you will be given instructions on different chiropractic techniques. You must demonstrate the techniques in accordance with the instructions given in front of licensed chiropractors.
The second part of the exam is case management. This exam has 20 stations and you have five minutes to complete each one. At each station, you will need to perform certain activities or answer questions related to a clinical patient case. Your grade on this exam will be determined by how well you make use of your time given as well as the skills you demonstrate.
Continuing education for chiropractors in California
California chiropractic licenses expire one year after the date of issue. To keep your license current, you must complete a total of 24 hours of continuing education from an approved provider; two hours must be in ethics and law, and four hours must be history taking and physical examination procedures, and/or chiropractic adjective techniques, and/or ethical billing and coding.
The remaining 18 hours of education can be further courses in the subjects mentioned above, or courses in any of the following areas:
Chiropractic philosophy
Basic sciences
Physical examination procedures
Diagnostic testing procedures
Chiropractic adjustment techniques
Pain management
Physiotherapy
Manipulation under anesthesia
Social population care
Ethics and law
Adverse event avoidance
Pharmacology
Up to four hours of continuing education credit can also be gained by attending a board meeting.
Legal considerations for chiropractors in California
Reciprocity for out-of-state chiropractors
It is possible to become a chiropractor in California if you already have a chiropractic license from another state. Your current state must reciprocate with California and you must have at least five years of work experience in order to apply for reciprocity.
In your reciprocity application, you’ll also need to:
Submit your rolled fingerprints
Pay the appropriate processing and application fees
Verify your chiropractic college transcripts and diploma
Include a copy of your out-of-state license
Send your past examination results
Send your score transcript from the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners
On the job, chiropractors in California are permitted, by law, to:
Manipulate and adjust the spinal column and other joints
Manipulate the muscle and connective tissue related to the spine and joints
Use elements like air, cold temperatures, food, supplements diet, exercise, heat, light, massage, physical culture, rest, water, and physical therapy techniques while giving chiropractic care
Use X-rays for diagnostic purposes
Use an ultrasound for diagnostic purposes
Chiropractors in California cannot:
Use X-rays for treatment purposes
Use an ultrasound for treatment purposes
Practice surgery or sever human tissue
Deliver children
Practice dentistry
Practice optometry
Perform mammograms
Use a lithotripter
Insurance, permits and liability
Check to see if a business license or permit is required for your locality, as requirements vary.
If you own a practice, you must obtain worker’s compensation insurance, as required by law in California (worker’s compensation insurance only applies if you have at least one employee). It’s strongly recommended that you get professional and commercial liability insurance as well.
Working as a chiropractor in California
Chiropractor salary in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for chiropractors at a national level is $76,530. The states with the highest salaries for chiropractors are Nevada, Alaska, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
California does have the fourth highest employment level for chiropractors in the United States says the BLS. More specifically, the Los Angeles metro area has the highest employment level within the state.
Chiropractors
10%N/A
25%N/A
50%N/AMedian
75%N/A
90%N/A
Median Hourly WageN/A
Job growth8.8%
Total Employment3,410
Metro area
Median Salary
Bottom 10%
Top 10%
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
$92,960
$39,540
$225,520
Fresno, CA
$88,490
$63,580
$156,890
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
$79,810
$49,010
$134,410
Vallejo-Fairfield, CA
$78,200
$50,030
$149,610
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA
$77,780
$53,130
$165,130
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
$76,840
$76,500
$118,130
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
$75,930
$43,460
$105,250
Santa Rosa, CA
$74,010
$54,170
$186,280
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
$64,600
$60,430
$160,400
Bakersfield, CA
N/A
N/A
N/A
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2023 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
Job outlook and finding employment opportunities
There are about 3,410 chiropractors in California now, not accounting for self-employed chiropractors or those who have entered the field after 2023.
On a national level, chiropractic is a growing field, with a 8.8% job growth outlook through 2032. This growth rate is much higher than the national average across all careers, which the BLS assesses at 3%.
Becoming a chiropractor in California starts with earning a Doctor of Chiropractic from a board-approved program. From there, you can start earning credits to take all of the required exams and eventually apply for licensure. Chiropractic is a growing and dynamic field, and the right opportunity could be waiting for you in California.
