How to apply for licensure

The State of Arizona accepts four application types for licensure.

Requires all four parts of the National Board Exams.

Requires parts I and II of the National Board Exams and requires that you have been practicing for five of the last seven years.

Completed Parts I – III or NBCE Parts I – II and the NBCE SPEC exam with a score of 375 or better and requires that you hold an active license in one of the following states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, and Ohio, and have been practicing for three of the last five years.

Licensure by Universal Recognition requires that the applicant hold a license to practice Chiropractic in another State for a minimum of one year and that license is in good standing. Universal Recognition also requires that the applicant be a resident of the State of Arizona.

The Application Process

Applying for a Chiropractic License does not need to be a complicated process. The State of Arizona welcomes new graduates and seasoned D.C.’s interested in practicing in the State, to read through this helpful information so you are familiar with the application process. It’s important that applicants understand the process so there is NO time wasted in completing your application. The sooner your application is completed, the sooner you can be licensed and start practicing!

Step 1. Applicant submits licensure application, forms, fingerprint card, all applicable fees, and arranges for all required documentation to be sent to the Board office. If an applicant fails to answer every question, the application will be returned.

Step 2. The Board staff has 25 business days to review your application. When your application has been reviewed, you will be sent a notice with the following information:

• A PDF of the Arizona Law Book to study for the Jurisprudence Exam.
• Information on how to take the exam. The Jurisprudence exam is available online. If you do not pass the first time, you are allowed to retake the exam one time. The Board is not responsible for any technical issues you may experience during the exam and any incomplete submission will be considered an attempt. If you wish to take the exam in person, you may submit a written request to do so with your application. 
• An incomplete notice stating any missing items needed to complete the application. 
• An application number that can be used to check the status of your application online.

Step 3. From the date that you are notified your application is incomplete, you have 60 sixty days to complete your application. If you fail to complete your application in that time, YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE CLOSED. You may arrange to have your transcripts, NBCE scores, verifications, and any police and court documents sent ahead of your application. Please note that we are unable to confirm receipt of documentation until your application is received.

Step 4. Once your application is deemed complete (this includes all required documentation as well as the Board receipt of your completed background check report from the Department of Public Safety) your application will be placed on an agenda for the Board to consider your application at one of its monthly Board meetings. You will receive a notice via email when your application has been placed on the agenda. If your application contains disciplinary actions or any disclosures, you will be given a 30-day notice that the Board will review your application and may deny your license.

The average time for processing a completed application for licensure is about 4-5 months. Any deviation from the completion and submission instructions may delay the processing of your application.