Health Related Professions

Massachusetts
Chiropractors

For the Reciprocity Requirements, please read the following information and all requirements below before applying: Massachusetts Reciprocity Requirement Form

Applications for licensure can be found on the Health Professions Licensing Portal. If this is your first time using this portal, please visit the Health Professions Licensing System User Guide for information on how to get started.

Table of Contents

Application Process

STEP 1: Read the Statutes, Rules, Regulations, and Policies linked below. This is a signature requirement on the application. Your signature will attest that you have completed this requirement. https://www.mass.gov/lists/statutes-and-regulations-chiropractors

STEP 2: Request that your Official Final Undergraduate Transcript and your Official Final Transcript from a C.C.E. accredited Chiropractic College be sent directly to PCS from your educational program.

STEP 3: Request to have Verification of Licensure from all states in which the applicant has been licensed, indicating the applicant is in good standing. This is necessary whether the license is current or expired. Contact each state to request that documentation be sent to PCS.  

  • Electronic Transcripts and/or Verification Letter: PCS will accept final official electronic transcripts and verification letters received directly from the primary source (such as the School, Parchment, the National Student Clearinghouse, and the State Licensing Board) via secure server to machiropractic@pcshq.com
  • Transcripts and/or Verification Letter via Postal Mail: Official Final Transcripts and/or Verification Letter may be mailed by the educational program or State Licensing Board directly to PCS at:
    ATTN: MA Board of Chiropractors
    C/O MA Chiropractor Coordinator
    P.O. Box 198689 Nashville, TN 37219

Step 4: Request a Certified Official Transcript indicating Passing Scores in NBCE parts I, II, III, IV, and Physiotherapy be sent to the MA Board.

STEP 5: Go to the Mass.gov website to: Complete the online application and submit fees.

Before starting your application, have the following information available:

  1. A standard 2×2 photo portrait, which must be passport style with a solid background. Driver’s license photos are not accepted.
  2. Payment will be made by credit card. All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Step 6: Complete the NPDB Self-Query.  If you hold or have ever held any professional license or certification, you must register and arrange for the submission of a National Practitioner Data Bank Healthcare SelfQuery. To request a SelfQuery, please get in touch with the National Practitioner Data Bank at 1-800-767-6732 or at https://www.npdb.hrsa.gov/ext/selfquery/SQHome.jsp

Step 7: Submit three Certificates of Moral and Professional Character forms to be completed by non-related chiropractors. Forms should be downloaded from the application with the applicant’s picture included on the form and uploaded in color.  

Step 8: Complete the CORI Acknowledgment Form in the Presence of a Notary Public before application completion.   CORI FORM

STEP 9: PCS reviews the application upon receipt of all required documentation. PCS will notify the applicant via email of all discrepancies.

STEP 10: Once approved, the Applicant will receive Authorization to Test (ATT) via email from PCS.

STEP 11: Applicant schedules and takes Jurisprudence within 90 days of issuance of the ATT. Failure to take the examination within 90 days of the ATT’s issuance will result in the ATT being voided.

STEP 12: If you receive a passing score, you will receive a License Letter via email from PCS once the CORI has been completed in 1-3 weeks. If you do not receive a passing score, you will receive a score notice with re-examination Instructions by email.

STEP 13: Once CORI has been approved and the License fee has been paid(if applicable), the Applicant receives a licensure confirmation email and confirms the license number on the Massachusetts Office of Health and Human Services License Verification Site https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/

Licensure Requirements

Application: Submit a MA Board Application for Licensure

Age Requirement: At least 18 years old

Education: 

  • 1. At least two years (60 credit hours) of instruction in a curriculum leading to a baccalaureate degree in liberal arts or science at a college/university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education
  • 2. A Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree from a college accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE)

National Exams: Passing scores on NBCE Parts I, II, III, IV, and the Physiotherapy exam

Verification of Licensure: From every state where you have held a license, showing each license is or was in good standing

Massachusetts Exam: Passing score on the Massachusetts Jurisprudence Exam

Background Check: Completion of a criminal background check (CORI) as part of the application process

Licensure by Reciprocity Requirements

You must submit documentation establishing that the requirements in your state of licensure at the time you were licensed were substantially equivalent to or exceeded the requirements for licensure in Massachusetts on that same date. (Link to Reciprocity Requirement Form)

The laws in the state of licensure from which you are seeking reciprocity must allow an applicant who was licensed in Massachusetts on the same date that you received licensure from that state to obtain a license without passing any additional licensing examination, other than a state-specific jurisprudence examination. (Link to Reciprocity Requirement Form)

You must produce evidence that you have practiced chiropractic in the state of licensure from which you are seeking reciprocity for at least three years, and your license is current and in good standing.

Applications are valid for one year, after which they will expire , and the applicant will need to reapply.   

Fees

‍Licensure by Initial Licensure

  • ‍Application fee -$362
  • Licensing – $135.00 (payment made after successful completion of jurisprudence exam and background check approval)

Licensure by Reciprocity

  • Application fee – $497

Examination Information

Examination Content

Exam Sites

Contact Information

Applicants may contact PCS for information regarding the licensure process.

Professional Credential Services (PCS)

Attn: MA Chiropractor Coordinator  
‍P.O. Box 198689
Nashville, TN 37219-8689

Email: machiropractic@pcshq.com

MA Board of Registration of Chiropractors

‍Bureau of Health Professions Licensure
250 Washington Street, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02108

Phone: 617-624-6150
‍Website: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-of-chiropractors