Application

Applications for Licensure

IMPORTANT: Effective July 28, 2023, all applications are now available online through the Board's Applicant Portal. The Board no longer accepts PDF or paper applications. If you still need to submit a PDF or paper application to the Board, please use it as a reference for your online application. You can start by setting up your account in the Board's Online Applicant Portal. 

The State of Arizona welcomes new graduates and seasoned Chiropractic Physicians interested in practicing in the State. The Board has four pathways to licensure as a Chiropractic Physician in Arizona—license by Examination, Endorsement, Reciprocity, or Universal Recognition.

When accessing the Online Applicant Portal, please use Chrome on a desktop or laptop computer.  Other browsers and mobile devices are not compatible and may result in errors. 

Step 1. Submitting your Online Application

  1. Submit your application, required forms, and payment through your applicant portal
  2. Arrange for all required documentation, such as your school transcripts, NBCE scores, verifications, police and court documents, etc., to the Board. (The Board accepts these documents electronically via email to [email protected] or by mail to the Board's Office Address). Primary Source is required for these documents and must be sent to the Board directly from the issuing entity.
  3. Send your Fingerprint FD-258 Card and Fingerprint Verification Form directly to the Board's Office. For more information about the Board's fingerprint process and other questions relating to your Background Check, please review the Board's FAQ page under Fingerprinting (Criminal History Background Check). 

Step 2. Board Staff Initial Review

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

  • A link to the Arizona Law Book to Study for the Jurisprudence Examination. 
    • Information on how to take the Jurisprudence 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 with your application. Please see the Board's FAQ page under Arizona Jurisprudence Exam for more information about the Arizona Jurisprudence Examination.
  • An incomplete notice stating any missing items needed to complete the application. 

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.

Step 3. Complete Application

Once your application is deemed complete (including all required documentation and the Board receipt of your completed background check report from the Department of Public Safety), the Executive Director will review it. If the Executive Director is able to approve your application, it will be approved, and you will be issued your license. Applications are reviewed and approved on a bi-weekly basis.

Once you have been issued your license, you can apply for physical medicine modalities, therapeutic procedures, and/or acupuncture certificates. 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.

Online Application Portal

Application for Extern Preceptorship

This application has two parts and is completed entirely in the Application and Licensure Portal.our Preceptor will need to log into their Thentia Portal Account and approve your extern application. You will not be able to complete your application until they have logged into their portal and approved you as an Extern. Please contact the Chiropractor directly, as Board staff can not approve your application on behalf of the Chiropractor. 

IMPORTANT: You may not begin the program until you have received the Board’s approval.  Acting as an extern or preceptor without Board approval is considered practicing without a license or allowing an unlicensed person to practice chiropractic and may result in disciplinary sanction. 

Externs will need to have the following documentation sent directly to the Board: 

  1. Chiropractic College Enrollment - You will have to request a letter of confirmation of enrollment in an undergraduate or postgraduate preceptor program offered by an accredited chiropractic college to be sent directly to the Board’s office.
  2. Part I and II of the National Board Exams - Please arrange to have your test scores of 375 or better sent directly to the Board from the National Board Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE).
  3. Extern Chiropractic College Transcript - You must arrange for your official chiropractic college transcript to be sent directly to the Board from the college.
  4. Chiropractic College Enrollment - You will have to request a letter of confirmation of enrollment in an undergraduate or postgraduate preceptor program offered by an accredited chiropractic college to be sent directly to the Board’s office.
  5. Letters of Recommendation - You will have to request letters of recommendation from the Dean of Academic Affairs and the Director of Clinics on their letterhead to be sent directly to the Board office.
  6. Police and/or court documents from any disclosed arrest and/or conviction - Please have these documents submitted directly to the Board. The Board cannot accept documents that are not primary source documents.

You can have the documents sent electronically to [email protected] or mailed to the Board’s office.  

You will be required to upload the following documents or information directly into your online application portal account: 

  1. Two (2) identical, passport-quality photos.  
  2. Declarations-you will be asked to upload additional documentation relating to any "yes" responses in the Declaration section of this application. 

Application Fees: 

Extern Preceptorship Program Application Fee $75.00
Application Total $75.00

Online Applicant Portal 

 

 

Board Rules Preceptorship Training Program

Extern Approval How To Guide

 

Application for Licensure By Examination

Requires all four parts of the National Board Exams.

All licensure by Examination applicants are required to meet the following qualifications.

  1. Graduate from an accredited chiropractic college.
  2. Completed Parts I - IV of NBCE with a score of 375 or better.
  3. Being physically and mentally able to practice chiropractic skillfully and safely.
  4. Pass the Arizona jurisprudence examination with a score of 75% or better.

IMPORTANT: An Arizona chiropractic license does not allow you to perform physical medicine modalities and therapeutic procedures (PMMTP) or acupuncture. These are considered specialties, and you must apply for certification in these areas. Once you have been issued your license, you can apply for physical medicine modalities, therapeutic procedures, and/or acupuncture certificates. You can apply through your Portal Account, and you will not have to resubmit your transcripts or test scores. 

The eligibility requirements for PMMTP Certificate are as follows:

  1. One hundred twenty (120) hours of study in physical medicine modalities and therapeutic procedures at an accredited chiropractic college or postgraduate study with an instructor on the active or postgraduate staff of an accredited chiropractic college.
  2. NBCE Physiotherapy Examination score of 375 or better.

The eligibility requirements for Acupuncture Certificate are as follows:

  1. One hundred (100) hours of study in acupuncture at an accredited chiropractic college or postgraduate study with an instructor on the active or postgraduate staff of an accredited chiropractic college.
  2.  NBCE Acupuncture Examination score of 375 or better.

Application Fees: 

Licensure by Examination Fee $272.00
Arizona Jurisprudence Fee $10.00
License Issuance Fee $100.00
Application Fee Total  $382.00

Specialty Certificate Fees: 

PMMTP Certificate Fee $100.00
PMMTP Certificate Issuance Fee $100.00
PMMTP Certificate Total $200.00
Acupuncture Certificate Fee $100.00
Acupuncture Certificate Issuance Fee $100.00
Acupuncture Certificate Total $200.00

 

Apply Online Using the Board's Applicant Portal

 

Application for Licensure By Reciprocity

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.

All licensure by Reciprocity applicants are required to meet the following qualifications.

  1. Graduate from an accredited chiropractic college.
  2. Completed NBCE Parts I - III or NBCE Parts I-II and NBCE SPEC Exam with a score of 375 or better.
  3. An Active, current license obtained by examination in Alaska, California, Colorado, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, or Ohio. Your license must remain Active for the duration of the application process. 
  4. Continuous Chiropractic practice for not less than five (5) of the past Seven (7) years immediately preceding the application.
  5. No previous failing score on the Arizona licensing examination
  6. No formal disciplinary action was taken on any license
  7. Being physically and mentally able to practice chiropractic skillfully and safely.
  8. Pass the Arizona jurisprudence examination with a score of 75% or better.

IMPORTANT: An Arizona chiropractic license does not allow you to perform physical medicine modalities and therapeutic procedures (PMMTP) or acupuncture. These are considered specialties, and you must apply for certification in these areas. Once you have been issued your license, you can apply for physical medicine modalities, therapeutic procedures, and/or acupuncture certificates. You can apply through your Portal Account, and you will not have to resubmit your transcripts or test scores. 

The eligibility requirements for PMMTP Certificate are as follows:

  1. One hundred twenty (120) hours of study in physical medicine modalities and therapeutic procedures at an accredited chiropractic college or postgraduate study with an instructor on the active or postgraduate staff of an accredited chiropractic college.
  2. NBCE Physiotherapy Examination score of 375 or better.

The eligibility requirements for Acupuncture Certificate are as follows:

  1. One hundred (100) hours of study in acupuncture at an accredited chiropractic college or postgraduate study with an instructor on the active or postgraduate staff of an accredited chiropractic college.
  2.  NBCE Acupuncture Examination score of 375 or better.

Application Fees: 

Licensure by Reciprocity Fee $272.00
Arizona Jurisprudence Fee $10.00
License Issuance Fee $100.00
Application Fee Total  $382.00

Specialty Certificate Fees: 

PMMTP Certificate Fee $100.00
PMMTP Certificate Issuance Fee $100.00
PMMTP Certificate Total $200.00
Acupuncture Certificate Fee $100.00
Acupuncture Certificate Issuance Fee $100.00
Acupuncture Certificate Total $200.00

Apply Online Using the Board's Applicant Portal

Application for Licensure by Endorsement

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

All licensure by Endorsement applicants are required to meet the following qualifications.

  1. Graduate from an accredited chiropractic college.
  2. Completed Parts I - II of NBCE with a score of 375 or better.
  3. Continuous Chiropractic practice for not less than five (5) of the past Seven (7) years immediately preceding the application.
  4. No previous failing score on the Arizona licensing examination
  5. No formal disciplinary action taken was on any license
  6. Being physically and mentally able to practice chiropractic skillfully and safely.
  7. Pass the Arizona jurisprudence examination with a score of 75% or better.

IMPORTANT: An Arizona chiropractic license does not allow you to perform physical medicine modalities and therapeutic procedures (PMMTP) or acupuncture. These are considered specialties, and you must apply for certification in these areas. Once you have been issued your license, you can apply for physical medicine modalities, therapeutic procedures, and/or acupuncture certificates. You can apply through your Portal Account, and you will not have to resubmit your transcripts or test scores. 

The eligibility requirements for PMMTP Certificate are as follows:

  1. One hundred twenty (120) hours of study in physical medicine modalities and therapeutic procedures at an accredited chiropractic college or postgraduate study with an instructor on the active or postgraduate staff of an accredited chiropractic college.
  2. NBCE Physiotherapy Examination score of 375 or better.

The eligibility requirements for Acupuncture Certificate are as follows:

  1. One hundred (100) hours of study in acupuncture at an accredited chiropractic college or postgraduate study with an instructor on the active or postgraduate staff of an accredited chiropractic college.
  2.  NBCE Acupuncture Examination score of 375 or better.

Application Fees: 

Licensure by Endorsement Fee $372.00
Arizona Jurisprudence Fee $10.00
License Issuance Fee $100.00
Application Fee Total  $482.00

Specialty Certificate Fees: 

PMMTP Certificate Fee $100.00
PMMTP Certificate Issuance Fee $100.00
PMMTP Certificate Total $200.00
Acupuncture Certificate Fee $100.00
Acupuncture Certificate Issuance Fee $100.00
Acupuncture Certificate Total $200.00

 

Apply Online Using the Board's Applicant Portal

Application for Licensure by Universal Recognition

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.

All licensure by Universal Recognition applicants are required to meet the following qualifications.

  1. Graduate from an accredited chiropractic college.
  2. Hold a license to practice Chiropractic in another State for a minimum of one year, and the license must be in good standing. 
  3. Be a resident of the State of Arizona at the time you submit your application. 
  4. Pass the Arizona jurisprudence examination with a score of 75% or better.

IMPORTANT: An Arizona chiropractic license does not allow you to perform physical medicine modalities and therapeutic procedures (PMMTP) or acupuncture. These are considered specialties, and you must apply for certification in these areas. Once you have been issued your license, you can apply for physical medicine modalities, therapeutic procedures, and/or acupuncture certificates. You can apply through your Portal Account, and you will not have to resubmit your transcripts or test scores. 

The eligibility requirements for PMMTP Certificate are as follows:

  1. One hundred twenty (120) hours of study in physical medicine modalities and therapeutic procedures at an accredited chiropractic college or postgraduate study with an instructor on the active or postgraduate staff of an accredited chiropractic college.
  2. NBCE Physiotherapy Examination score of 375 or better.

The eligibility requirements for Acupuncture Certificate are as follows:

  1. One hundred (100) hours of study in acupuncture at an accredited chiropractic college or postgraduate study with an instructor on the active or postgraduate staff of an accredited chiropractic college.
  2.  NBCE Acupuncture Examination score of 375 or better.

Application Fees: 

Licensure by Universal Recognition Fee $272.00
Arizona Jurisprudence Fee $10.00
License Issuance Fee $100.00
Application Fee Total  $382.00

Specialty Certificate Fees: 

PMMTP Certificate Fee $100.00
PMMTP Certificate Issuance Fee $100.00
PMMTP Certificate Total $200.00
Acupuncture Certificate Fee $100.00
Acupuncture Certificate Issuance Fee $100.00
Acupuncture Certificate Total $200.00

 

Apply Online Using the Board's Applicant Portal

 

Additional Application Forms and Resources

As part of the Board's online application process, you may be required to upload additional documents to complete your application. You can access the forms through your application portal or find additional forms here as a reference and resource. 

Additional Board Application Forms & Resources

As part of the Board's online application process, you may be required to upload additional documents to complete your application. You can access the forms through your application portal or find additional forms here as a reference and resource. 

Arizona Statement of Citizenship

Fee Waiver Application

Active Practice Affidavit

Fingerprint Verification Form and Instructions

Universal Recognition Resident Attestation

Arizona Laws and Rules (Jurisprudence)