How Do I Apply for a Chiropractic License?

Apply online for a chiropractor license in Iowa. Application fee is $270. All application fees are nonrefundable.

Documentation & Questions

Documentation and questions may be submitted by email: plpublic@idph.iowa.gov.

Educational Requirements

An applicant must provide evidence of successful completion of educational requirements as follows.

  1. Graduation from a Council for Chiropractic Education (CCE)-accredited and board-approved college of chiropractic. The applicant must submit the following:
    • Official transcripts conferring the degree; and
    •  Copy of the chiropractic diploma.
  2. Certificate of completion of 120 hours of physiotherapy that includes a practicum component from a board-approved chiropractic college.

Foreign-Trained Chiropractors

  1. Provide an equivalency evaluation of the educational credentials processed by the International Education Research Foundation, Inc. The curriculum must be equivalent to those required by rule.
  2. Provide a copy of the certificate or diploma awarded from the chiropractic program from the country in which the applicant was educated.

Note: Applications from foreign-trained chiropractors are subject to board review and approval prior to issuance.

Educational Requirements

An applicant must provide evidence of successful completion of educational requirements as follows.

  1. Graduation from a Council for Chiropractic Education (CCE)-accredited and board-approved college of chiropractic. The applicant must submit the following:
    • Official transcripts conferring the degree; and
    •  Copy of the chiropractic diploma.
  2. Certificate of completion of 120 hours of physiotherapy that includes a practicum component from a board-approved chiropractic college.

Foreign-Trained Chiropractors

  1. Provide an equivalency evaluation of the educational credentials processed by the International Education Research Foundation, Inc. The curriculum must be equivalent to those required by rule.
  2. Provide a copy of the certificate or diploma awarded from the chiropractic program from the country in which the applicant was educated.

Note: Applications from foreign-trained chiropractors are subject to board review and approval prior to issuance.

Examination Requirement

Applicants must provide evidence of successful completion of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) examination as indicated below. 

Note: Examination results must be sent directly from the NBCE to the board office. Results forwarded by applicants may not be accepted.

  • After January 1, 1996: Successful completion of parts I, II, III, IV and physiotherapy;
  • January 1, 1987 - December 31, 1995: Successful completion of parts I, II, III and physiotherapy;
  • August 1, 1976 - December 31, 1986: Successful completion of parts I, II and physiotherapy;
  • July 1, 1973 - July 31, 1976: Successful completion of parts I and II; or
  • Prior to July 1, 1973: Evidence of  having been issued a basic science certificate.

Examination Requirement

Applicants must provide evidence of successful completion of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) examination as indicated below. 

Note: Examination results must be sent directly from the NBCE to the board office. Results forwarded by applicants may not be accepted.

  • After January 1, 1996: Successful completion of parts I, II, III, IV and physiotherapy;
  • January 1, 1987 - December 31, 1995: Successful completion of parts I, II, III and physiotherapy;
  • August 1, 1976 - December 31, 1986: Successful completion of parts I, II and physiotherapy;
  • July 1, 1973 - July 31, 1976: Successful completion of parts I and II; or
  • Prior to July 1, 1973: Evidence of  having been issued a basic science certificate.

Verification of licenses held in other states (if any):

If applicable, applicants that have previously been licensed, registered or certified in another state must provide official verification of licensure for all states in which the applicant has received a license. Applicants who have not been licensed in another state, district or territory are exempt from this requirement.

The license verification must include the following: 

  • Licensee Name;
  • License Number;
  • Issue Date;
  • Expiration Date;
  • License Status; and
  • Reference to Any Pending or Past Disciplinary Action.

The verification may be printed from another state licensing board’s website if it contains all of the information noted above. If an online verification is not available, the verification must be sent directly from the licensing board(s).

Note: Applicants who do not meet the requirements for licensure by endorsement may be eligible for a license by verification. For more information about licensure by verification, please refer to IAC 501.1.

Verification of licenses held in other states (if any):

If applicable, applicants that have previously been licensed, registered or certified in another state must provide official verification of licensure for all states in which the applicant has received a license. Applicants who have not been licensed in another state, district or territory are exempt from this requirement.

The license verification must include the following: 

  • Licensee Name;
  • License Number;
  • Issue Date;
  • Expiration Date;
  • License Status; and
  • Reference to Any Pending or Past Disciplinary Action.

The verification may be printed from another state licensing board’s website if it contains all of the information noted above. If an online verification is not available, the verification must be sent directly from the licensing board(s).

Note: Applicants who do not meet the requirements for licensure by endorsement may be eligible for a license by verification. For more information about licensure by verification, please refer to IAC 501.1.