NBCE Part III Exam. September 13, National Board of Chiropractic Examiners EXAMINATION DATE:

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "NBCE Part III Exam. September 13, National Board of Chiropractic Examiners EXAMINATION DATE:"

Miles Phillips
6 years ago
Views:

1 NBCE Part III Exam National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Ensuring Professional Competency Through Excellence in Testing Apply and pay online at Also available online: Chiropractic college sites offering computer-based tests Information about how the NBCE determines passing scores Descriptions of what you are allowed to bring to a test site How to request hand grading Other exam administration and score reporting policies EXAMINATION DATE: September 13, 2015 APPLICATION DEADLINE: July 21, 2015 TEST SITE CHANGE DEADLINE/ CANCELLATION DEADLINE: August 7, 2015 SCORES POSTED ONLINE: October 26, 2015, 8:00 a.m. MST HAND GRADING REQUEST DEADLINE: November 13, 2015 Important: There is now ONE application deadline for Part III. The NBCE no longer accepts late applications for this exam.

2 Time Schedule September 11-13, 2015 Always allow sufficient time to arrive at the test site. You must be present for registration, instructions and examination starting times. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015 PART I 7:15 7:45 Registration for Part I 7:45 8:00 Instructions for Part I 8:00 9:15 General Anatomy 9:35 10:55 Spinal Anatomy 11:15-12:35 Physiology 12:35-1:35 LUNCH 1:35-2:55 Chemistry 3:15-4:35 Pathology 4:55-6:15 Microbiology SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2015 PART II 7:15 7:45 Registration for Part II 7:45 8:00 Instructions for Part II 8:00 9:15 General Diagnosis 9:35 10:55 Neuromusculoskeletal Diagnosis 11:15-12:35 Diagnostic Imaging 12:35-1:35 LUNCH 1:35-2:55 Principles of Chiropractic 3:15-4:35 Chiropractic Practice 4:55-6:15 Associated Clinical Sciences SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015 PART III 7:15 7:45 Registration for Part III 7:45-8:00 Instructions for Part III 8:00 10:00 Part III (First Half) 10:20 12:25 Part III (Second Half) 12:25-1:25 LUNCH PHYSIOTHERAPY 1:25-1:55 Registration for Physiotherapy 1:55-2:10 Instructions for Physiotherapy 2:10-3:25 Physiotherapy Exam Scheduling NBCE exams are administered over a three-day period. Registration times are listed at left. If you are taking individual subject examination(s), arrive at the test site 15 minutes before the start of the examination(s) to register. NBCE test site personnel keep the official time. NBCE test administrators assigned to each test site are responsible for all aspects of test administration. Because of the large number of examinees at most test sites, punctuality and compliance with instructions are essential. Examination areas are secured and may require additional security measures, such as metal detection devices. You must be in your seat at the scheduled starting times or you will not be allowed to take the examination. If instruction starting times are listed separately on the schedule at left, you must be in your seat at those times in order to take those examinations. The NBCE reserves the right to relocate and/or cancel a scheduled examination administration at any test site. In such cases, the liability of the NBCE shall be limited to a refund of applicant fees. Test Accommodations The NBCE makes every attempt to honor requests for test accommodations for any of the following reasons: a physical or learning disability a temporary physical limitation due to a recent surgery or injury a religious conviction requiring a modified test schedule If you require test accommodations, you may apply on the MyNBCE website. 2

3 Exam Description PART III addresses nine clinical areas: case history, physical examination, neuromusculoskeletal examination, diagnostic imaging, clinical laboratory and special studies, diagnosis or clinical impression, chiropractic techniques, supportive interventions, and case management. The Part III Examination consists of two sections, with a total of 110 standard multiple-choice questions and 10 case vignettes, broken down as follows: Each section has 55 standard multiple-choice questions, plus five case vignettes. Each of the five case vignettes contains three extended multiple-choice questions. Each extended multiple-choice question requires three answers. Each section is allotted two hours of testing time, with a 20-minute break between sections. Your MyNBCE Account at Effective with the September 2015 exam administration, you must have a MyNBCE account to apply for NBCE examinations. If this is the first time you have applied online for an NBCE exam, you may create an account as part of the application process. Once you have a MyNBCE account, you will have access to the following services: Account Manage your contact information, such as: address telephone number address name change Applications Apply for any exam using our new online application process Choose a test site and select a paper-and-pencil or computer-based test, if available Pay for your exam fees online using an Electronic Transfer of Funds directly from your savings or checking account Check the status of your application Verify that your registrar has confirmed your eligibility Verify that the NBCE has approved your application Verify that the NBCE has accepted your payment Exam Information Download electronic copies of your exam confirmation letter, schedule, and other important information regarding exam weekend Obtain a receipt of the exam fees you have paid Scores View your most recent scores View a record of your scores from previous exam administrations Orders Order a transcript of your scores to be sent to a state agency * Order a replacement certificate and/or engraved plaque, showing successful completion of the NBCE exams * The NBCE does not release scores that fall below the recommended passing score unless specifically authorized by the examinee. Transcripts reflect only the most recent passing score. Contacting the NBCE NATIONAL BOARD OF CHIROPRACTIC EXAMINERS th Avenue Greeley, CO processing@nbce.org Toll-free phone : FAX:

4 Exam and Administrative Fees The following fees are in effect for the September 2015 Part III Exam: Examination fee / Retake fee $610 Refund for withdrawal from Part III Exam $329 Hand grading fee $60 Test site change fee $50 Refused/Returned bank funds $45 Applicant Eligibility STUDENT ELIGIBILITY You must be enrolled in, or graduated from, an eligible chiropractic college* to take the Part III Exam when you have passed all subjects in the NBCE Part I Exam and you are within nine months of graduation before the administration of Part III. Online approval from your college is required for initial Part III eligibility. * Please visit for a list of eligible chiropractic colleges. DOCTORS OF CHIROPRACTIC ELIGIBILITY When did you become a licenced doctor of chiropractic? On or before December 31, 1988 After December 31, 1988 How do you establish eligibility? Provide a copy of your state-issued chiropractic license There are no other prerequisites Provide a copy of your state-issued chiropractic license Pass all Part I subjects NOTE: The NBCE withholds release of official Part III transcripts until you have passed the NBCE Part II Examination. STATE BOARD REQUIREMENTS The NBCE recommends a passing score of 375 for the Part III Exam; however, individual states may require a higher score. For example, if a state requires a 75% score on Part III, the corresponding NBCE score is 438. Most states require or accept the Part III Examination in lieu of a state-level written clinical competency examination. For current information on state regulations pertaining to Part III scores, you must contact the licensing board of the state(s) in which you plan to practice. RETAKES The NBCE does not limit the number of times you may retake Part III prior to passing; however, individual licensing authorities may place restrictions on how many times you are allowed to retake Part III. A doctor or a student of chiropractic who has successfully passed Part III is not allowed to retake any previously passed exam, except when required by a state licensing authority. Scores from retake exams based on this criteria do not void the original passing scores. 4

5 At the Test Site REGISTRATION At registration, you must show two forms of identification, one of which must be a government-issued photo ID. Registration times are listed on the Time Schedule. NBCE test site personnel keep the official time. SECURITY SCREENING You may be subject to individual security screening procedures, including the use of metal detection. If you refuse to submit to individual security screenings, you may be denied entrance to, or be expelled from the testing area. The only items you will be allowed to bring into the testing area are two forms of identification and a key to your car. You may not bring remote keyless entry devices for your vehicle. Please leave any items that may be questioned by security or test site personnel at home. You must use the pencils provided by the NBCE. Nursing mothers should notify registration staff upon arrival at the test site. They may bring a breast pump and a small cooler (which will be inspected) and may access these items only during scheduled break times between examinations. Passing Scores The NBCE recommends a passing score of 375 for the Part III Examination; however, individual states may recognize a lower, or require a higher score. Most states require or accept the Part III Examination in lieu of a state-level written clinical competency examination. For current information on state regulations pertaining to Part III scores, you must contact the licensing board of the state(s) in which you plan to practice. The NBCE recommended passing score of 375 for the Part III Exam represents 70.5%. If a state, for example, requires a 75% score on Part III, the corresponding NBCE score is 438. The mean of Part III is approximately 450, and the standard deviation is approximately 100. You must take both sections of Part III to receive a score from the NBCE. To learn more about how the NBCE determines scores, visit Score Reporting Your exam scores are available as follows: Posted online to your MyNBCE user account (approximately six weeks after the exam) Sent to your college and, if you request, to your state licensing boards (approximately eight weeks after the exam) Please see published deadlines at for score release dates for the current exams. You will also find detailed information there about requesting transcripts. Note: Most state boards only require a transcript following successful completion of the NBCE Part I-IV Exams. 5

6 Preparing for Part III A thorough review of the subjects to be tested is the most appropriate preparation for the NBCE examinations. The NBCE offers sample tests, test plans and reference text lists to help you to prepare. SAMPLE TESTS The NBCE offers a sample test for Part III. The sample test has 69 questions and costs $ Sample tests are available at PART III TEST PLAN AND WEIGHTINGS The test plan is the blueprint from which each NBCE examination is constructed. The diagram below illustrates that Case History is one of the Part III categories and that approximately eleven percent of the test questions deal with that category. TEST PLAN EXAMPLE EXAMINATION CATEGORY EXAMPLES 1. Case History (11%) Chief complaint Present illness Past history Family history Part III CASE HISTORY Personal and social history Review of systems In the test plan that follows, the weightings (the emphasis devoted to each category) appear as a percentage beside each category. The test plan also reflects examples within each category. 1. Case History (11%) Competency description: The successful examinee can identify factors necessary for obtaining a complete case history, and apply this knowledge to a clinical picture. Chief complaint Present illness Past history Family history Personal and social history Review of systems 2. Physical Examination (9%) Competency description: The successful examinee can select appropriate physical examination procedures and apply knowledge of these procedures to a clinical picture. General survey Head and neck examination Thorax and lung examination Cardiovascular examination Breast and axilla examination Abdominal examination Urogenital examination Rectal examination 6

7 3. Neuromusculoskeletal Examination (11%) Competency description: The successful examinee can select appropriate neuromusculoskeletal examination procedures and apply knowledge of these procedures to a clinical picture. Posture and gait analysis Standard spinal and extremity orthopedic procedures Standard neurological testing procedures Peripheral vascular examination procedures 4. Diagnostic Imaging (11%) Competency description: The successful examinee demonstrates knowledge of all areas of diagnostic imaging pertinent to chiropractic practice (including radiographs, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, diagnostic ultrasound, and nuclear bone scans). Indications and contraindications for diagnostic imaging procedures Patient protection and positioning Normal anatomy Description and interpretation of images 5. Clinical Laboratory and Special Studies (7%) Competency description: The successful examinee will demonstrate understanding of the rationale for ordering specific clinical laboratory tests and special studies and to demonstrate ability to interpret the results of these tests or studies. Urinalysis Hematology Serology Blood chemistries Stool analysis Joint fluid analysis Electrophysiologic recordings (EEG, ECG, EMG, and NCV) 7. Chiropractic Techniques (14%) Competency description: The successful examinee will demonstrate knowledge of all areas of chiropractic technique. Indications and contraindications for chiropractic care Spinal adjustive techniques Extremity adjustive techniques Skeletal biomechanics 8. Supportive Interventions (8%) Competency description: The successful examinee demonstrates knowledge of techniques and procedures that are supportive of or adjunctive to the chiropractic adjustment. Physiotherapy modalities Nutrition and diet Corrective exercises and rehabilitation Protective body mechanics and ergonomics Patient education and self care Wellness and lifestyle counseling 9. Case Management (15%) Competency description: The successful examinee selects an approach to the management or disposition of a case that is consistent with the clinical impression or diagnosis. Formulation of a treatment plan and prognosis Appropriate procedures for case follow-up and review Patient referral and/or co-management Clinical documentation and informed consent END PART III TEST PLAN 6. Diagnosis or Clinical Impression (14%) Competency description: Based on information gathered in the various areas of examination, the successful examinee can identify the pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible for a patient s complaints. Sources of information include: Patient history Physical and neuromusculoskeletal examinations Diagnostic imaging Clinical laboratory and special studies 7

8 REFERENCE TEXTS The NBCE uses reference texts that are generally employed by the chiropractic colleges. This list of references is presented to assist you in preparing for NBCE examinations; however, study of the following references will not guarantee that you will pass NBCE examinations. Moreover, this list is not comprehensive and does not imply that references not included on this list are inappropriate or of lesser value or quality than references that are included. Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., & Stewart, R. W. (2015). Seidel s Guide to Physical Examination (8th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby. Belanger, A. (2015). Therapeutic Electrophysical Agents (3rd ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Bergman, T. F., & Peterson, D. H. (2011). Chiropractic Technique: Principles and Procedures (3rd ed.). St. Louis: Mosby. Bickley, L. S. (2013). Bates Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking (11th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Blumenfeld, H. (2010). Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases (2nd ed.). Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates. Cipriano, J. J. (2010). Photographic Manual of Regional Orthopaedic and Neurological Tests (5th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Cox, J. M. (2011). Low Back Pain: Mechanism, Diagnosis and Treatment (7th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Evans, R. C. (2009). Illustrated Orthopedic Physical Assessment (3rd ed.). St. Louis: Mosby. Haldeman, S. (Ed.). (2005). Principles and Practice of Chiropractic (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Medical. Hammer, W. (2007). Functional Soft-Tissue Examination and Treatment by Manual Methods (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Hoppenfeld, S. (1976). Physical Examination of the Spine and Extremities. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts. Hoppenfeld, S. (1977). Orthopaedic Neurology: A Diagnostic Guide to Neurologic Levels. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company. Liebenson, C. (Ed.). (2007). Rehabilitation of the Spine: A Practitioner s Manual (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Magee, D. J. (2014). Orthopedic Physical Assessment (6th ed.). St. Louis: Saunders. Mahan, L. K., Escott-Stump, S., & Raymond, J. L. (2012). Krause s Food and the Nutrition Care Process (13th ed.). St. Louis: Elsevier. Marchiori, D. M. (2014). Clinical Imaging: With Skeletal, Chest and Abdominal Pattern Differentials (3rd ed.). St. Louis: Mosby, Inc. Pagana, K. D., & Pagana, T. J. (2014). Mosby s Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests (5th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby. Papadakis, M.A., McPhee, S.J., & Rabow, M.W. (2015). Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2015 (54th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Education. Porter, R. S., & Kaplan, J. L., (Eds.). (2011). The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy (19th ed.). Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Sharpe & Dohme. Scott, R. W. (2013). Legal, Ethical, and Practical Aspects of Patient Care Documentation (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Simons, D. C., Travell, J. C., & Simons, L. S. (1999). Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual/Vol. 1: The Upper Half of the Body (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Souza, T. A. (2016). Differential Diagnosis and Management for the Chiropractor: Protocols and Algorithms (5th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Starkey, C. (2013). Therapeutic Modalities (4th ed.). Philadelphia: F. A. Davis Company. Travell, J. C., & Simons, D. C. (1992). Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual/Vol. 2: The Lower Extremities. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Yochum, T. R., & Rowe, L. J. (2005). Essentials of Skeletal Radiology (Vols. 1-2) (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 8

9 Part III Test Committee Margaret Colucci, DC Subject matter expert Margaret M. Freihaut, D.C. Subject matter expert Holly L. Harvey, D.C. Subject matter expert D. Robert Kuhn, D.C. Logan University, College of Chiropractic P. Ronald Romanick, D.C. Subject matter expert Michael J. Tunning, D.C. Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport Campus Jason Young, D.C. Subject matter expert Theresa L. Whitney, D.C. Palmer College of Chiropractic, San Jose, West Campus NBCE Board of Directors The NBCE was established in 1963 to address the testing needs of the chiropractic profession. The organization develops, administers and scores examinations that are used to evaluate various areas of competency. Licensing agencies that regulate the practice of chiropractic within each state and some foreign countries use NBCE examination scores in their evaluations of candidates for licensure, relicensure or reciprocity/endorsement. You are advised to contact any state(s) of interest for specific licensure requirements. The organization is governed by the Board of Directors listed below. Donna L. Craft, D.C. President District II Director Paul N. Morin, D.C. Vice President District III Director Salvatore D. LaRusso, D.C. Treasurer At-Large Director Steven R. Conway, D.C., J.D. Secretary At-Large Director Daniel M. Côté, D.C. District I Director Ronald B. Tripp, Jr., D.C. District IV Director Norman E. Ouzts, Jr., D.C. District V Director H. W. Hulteen, D.C. At-Large Director LeRoy F. Otto, D.C. At-Large Director Farrel I. Grossman, D.C. FCLB Appointment FCLB President Margaret R. Colucci, D.C. FCLB Appointment FCLB Vice President Martin W. Kollasch, D.C., Ph.D. (c) Executive Vice President NBCE Headquarters th Avenue Greeley, Colorado

10 NATIONAL BOARD OF CHIROPRACTIC EXAMINERS th Avenue Greeley, CO Toll-free phone : address: processing@nbce.org FAX: Toll-free FAX: ON THE WEB AT National Board of Chiropractic Examiners

NBCE Physiotherapy. September 13, National Board of Chiropractic Examiners EXAMINATION DATE:

NBCE Physiotherapy. September 13, National Board of Chiropractic Examiners EXAMINATION DATE: NBCE Physiotherapy National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Ensuring Professional Competency Through Excellence in Testing Apply and pay online at www.mynbce.org Also available online: Chiropractic college