The time has finally come. I took Part IV of the NBCE chiropractic licensure exam this past weekend. One of the biggest draws of coming to NUHS Florida besides the evidence-based curriculum and beautiful weather was the reputation NUHS has on the board exams. Over the past 4 years, 90% of NUHS graduates received licensure within 6 months of graduation.

Prior to coming to National, I researched the board pass rates and was very impressed with National compared to the other chiropractic schools. Once I became a student here, I was even more impressed by how early we started preparing for Part IV. It started in second trimester with our first radiology and evaluation & management classes.

The Part IV boards are practical exams that require the candidates to read radiographs, come up with a differential diagnoses, and make proper recommendations for each case. There are also case history, physical examination, and technique demonstration sections of the exam. The first day is the radiology practical, which consists of 10 stations with X-rays, MRI, and CT scans. We are required to read the films and answer 2 questions regarding the films for each station. The second day is a practical exam with standardized patients. Both days were nothing new to me. Our professors’ practical exams were extremely similar to the Part IV boards.

My colleagues and I traveled up to Marietta, Georgia, to take our exam. I flew out of Tampa International Airport to Atlanta the day before our exam. Upon arriving, my friends and I went to the Marietta Diner for lunch. We wanted to make a fun trip out of it as well. We studied the rest of the day and went to sleep early because we wanted to get to the testing center early.

When we arrived to the testing center, I saw some of my friends from Palmer, Sherman, and Life. I met a few of them at Chirogames and another I knew from home. While waiting to start the exam, we conversed about our different philosophies and one thing was clear. We all agreed to treat patients conservatively first but as someone from National, I want to use every modality possible to help my patients improve. My friends from other schools were more focused on only utilizing manipulation.

After we finished the exams, we went out to a local restaurant to celebrate! All of us felt good about the exam but we will find out how we did in December. Knowing that National prepared us well puts my mind at ease. Pending my scores, I will be able to apply for licensure soon after I graduate in April! If you have any questions please email me at [email protected]