The Kentucky Board of Chiropractic Examiners no longer offers a state practical examination for licensure. In lieu of a state examination, Kentucky now requires successful completion of Part IV of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners’ examination.
Kentucky law DOES NOT provide for reciprocity from other states. Each applicant is required to have successfully completed Parts I, II, III and IV of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners’ examination to obtain licensure in Kentucky. NBCE passing score is acceptable. Official NBCE transcripts are required.
Educational Requirements
Each applicant shall have satisfactorily completed not less than 60 semester credit hours of study from a college or university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or other regional accrediting agencies as recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
Each applicant shall also be a graduate of a college or university accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education or their successors (at the time of the applicant’s graduation), and which maintains a standard and reputability approved by the board. A photocopy of your chiropractic college diploma must be attached to the application. A list of accredited chiropractic colleges can be found on the FCLB website.
Application Fee
The $350.00 non-refundable state licensure application fee must accompany your application.
If your license is issued before December 1, it will be subject to renewal prior to March 1 of the following year.
Required Documents
- Completed Application for Licensure.
- $350 Application Fee (must be a check or money order written out to Kentucky State Treasurer).
- Official copy of your NBCE Scores (Parts I-IV required in KY – must come directly to the board from NBCE).
- Official copy of your Chiropractic College Transcripts (must come directly to the board from the school).
- Official copy of your Undergraduate Transcripts (must come directly to the board from the school).
- A copy of your Chiropractic College Diploma (a picture of the diploma is fine).
- Completed Chiropractic College Certification forms (found in the Application for Licensure.) You must send the Chiropractic College Certification pages to your chiropractic college for completion. Your application is not complete until this form is submitted directly from your chiropractic college.
- Official license verifications for each state in which you have held or currently hold a license, if applicable. This verification must include the following information regarding your license: issue date, expiration date, current status, and any disciplinary action(s) against your license. A copy of your license will not fulfill this requirement.
- 3 Character Reference Letters. Please provide the Board with a letter from each of three individuals outside your immediate family, not necessarily chiropractors, who are personally acquainted with the applicant, stating that, to their knowledge the applicant is not addicted to intoxicants or drugs, has not had previous license(s) suspended or cancelled, has never been convicted of a felony or any other violation of federal, state or local laws, has no prosecution or complaints to a state board responsible for the licensing of chiropractors pending and is a person of good moral character and reputation and is worthy of professional recognition and confidence. The letters should include the individual’s address, phone number and occupation. The letters should be signed.
You should read and be familiar with all of the statutes and regulations governing chiropractic in Kentucky.
Jurisprudence / Continuing Education
Any license issued after January 1, 2008, will be required to complete the two (2) hour Kentucky State Chiropractic Jurisprudence course by the licensee’s first renewal. Information regarding the date and registration details for this course will be mailed to you when your license is issued. A new licensee shall not be required to complete the continuing education requirements until after the licensee's first renewal and before the licensee's second renewal.
