Becoming a chiropractor in Florida requires a bachelor’s degree, a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree from an accredited program, passing five parts of the national board exams plus a Florida-specific law exam, and obtaining licensure through the Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine. The full process typically takes eight years of education after high school, followed by a licensing process that can take several additional months.
Undergraduate Education
Florida requires all chiropractic license applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. There is no shortcut here: the state drew this line for anyone enrolled in chiropractic college after July 1, 2000. International graduates can substitute a credentials evaluation report from a board-approved organization confirming their education is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
The Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine does not mandate specific undergraduate science courses for licensure. However, the chiropractic colleges you’ll apply to almost certainly will. Most D.C. programs require prerequisite coursework in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and sometimes anatomy or biochemistry. A degree in a science-related field like biology, kinesiology, or exercise science gives you the strongest foundation, though it isn’t strictly required as long as you complete the individual program’s prerequisites.
Chiropractic College: The D.C. Degree
The Doctor of Chiropractic degree is a graduate-level clinical program that typically takes three and a half to four years of full-time study. Coursework covers human anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, radiology, diagnosis, nutrition, and chiropractic technique. The final portion of the program includes supervised clinical rotations where you treat patients under faculty oversight.
Florida has three accredited chiropractic colleges, which is convenient if you want to complete your training in the state where you plan to practice:
- Palmer College of Chiropractic, Florida Campus in Port Orange
- Keiser University in West Palm Beach
- National University of Health Sciences in Seminole
Your program must be accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE), the recognized accrediting body for D.C. programs in the United States. Graduating from a non-CCE-accredited school will make you ineligible for Florida licensure. All three Florida schools hold this accreditation, as do programs in other states if you prefer to study elsewhere and relocate to Florida afterward.
National Board Exams
Florida requires passing scores on all five sections of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) exams: Parts I, II, III, IV, and the Physiotherapy (PT) exam. You’ll take these exams at different points during and after your D.C. program.
Parts I and II are written exams you typically sit for during your second and third years of chiropractic college. Part I covers foundational sciences like anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry. Part II focuses on clinical sciences including diagnosis, radiology, and pathology. Part III is also a written exam covering clinical decision-making and case management, usually taken in your final year or shortly after graduation.
Part IV is a practical exam where you demonstrate hands-on skills: performing chiropractic technique, diagnostic imaging interpretation, and case management in a simulated clinical setting. The Physiotherapy exam tests your competence in rehabilitative therapies like ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and therapeutic exercise. Some states don’t require the PT exam, but Florida does, so don’t skip it.
Official scores for all five sections must be sent directly from the NBCE to the Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine. You cannot submit copies yourself.
Florida Laws and Rules Exam
On top of the national boards, Florida requires a separate jurisprudence exam covering state-specific chiropractic laws and regulations. This exam is administered by the NBCE, not by the state directly. It consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, and you get 30 minutes to complete it. The passing score is 75%. If you fall below that threshold, you can retake it.
The content covers Florida’s chiropractic practice act (Chapter 460 of the Florida Statutes), rules on patient records, informed consent, advertising, and professional conduct. Studying the actual statutes and administrative code (Chapter 64B2) is the most direct way to prepare.
Background Screening and Fingerprinting
As of July 1, 2025, all health care practitioners applying for initial licensure in Florida must complete a background screening. The process involves several steps. First, you register with the state’s CHAI system to create a profile. Then you schedule a fingerprinting appointment with a Livescan provider in your area. You’ll need to bring your ORI number, which is generated through the CHAI system and can be printed before your appointment.
At your fingerprinting appointment, make sure to get your Transaction Control Number (TCN) from the Livescan provider before you leave. The Department of Health cannot retrieve this number for you. You can track your fingerprint submission status through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s TCN lookup tool. Screening costs vary by provider and are your responsibility.
Submitting Your License Application
Once you have your D.C. degree, passing NBCE scores (Parts I through IV plus PT), a passing Florida Laws and Rules score, and a completed background screening, you can submit your application to the Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine. The application requires official transcripts, NBCE score reports sent directly from the national board, proof of your bachelor’s degree, and your background screening results.
Florida law requires the board to conduct an initial review of your application within 30 days of receiving it. However, the total time to licensure depends heavily on how quickly you resolve any deficiencies the board flags, such as missing documents or score reports that haven’t arrived yet. Having all your materials submitted and verified before you apply can shave weeks off the process.
Optional Credentials: Acupuncture Certification
Florida allows chiropractors to perform acupuncture and dry needling with additional certification. The state licensure application includes a section for acupuncture scores, suggesting that if you plan to offer these services, you can pursue certification as part of your initial application rather than adding it later. Dry needling by chiropractic physicians is specifically addressed under Florida Statute 460.4085. If you’re interested in expanding your scope of practice beyond traditional adjustments, completing this training during or shortly after your D.C. program is the most efficient path.
Total Timeline and Cost
The full path breaks down roughly as follows: four years for a bachelor’s degree, three and a half to four years for a D.C. program, and several months for exams and the licensing process. Most people are looking at about eight to nine years from starting college to holding a Florida license.
Cost varies significantly depending on where you attend school. Undergraduate tuition at a Florida public university is considerably less than a private institution. D.C. programs generally run between $100,000 and $200,000 in total tuition, not including living expenses. Add in NBCE exam fees for five separate test sections, the Florida Laws and Rules exam fee, fingerprinting and background screening costs, and the state application and licensure fees. Budgeting for the full picture early helps you make informed decisions about student loans and program selection.