State Jurisprudence Exams for Chiropractors, State by State

Nearly every state makes a chiropractor pass a test on its own law, even when it accepts NBCE scores and years of practice from another state. These are short exams compared with the NBCE series, usually 75 percent to pass, and some are open-book. They still trip up experienced doctors, because they test the details that differ: delegation to assistants, advertising, records, renewal, and what the state allows within its scope.

Why do states test their own law?

A national exam cannot cover 50 practice acts. Each board wants proof that a new licensee has read the rules it enforces. Even states with broad out-of-state routes keep the exam. Arizona's universal recognition statute, which licenses a new resident who has held a license elsewhere for a year, still lets a board require "an examination specific to the laws of this state" (A.R.S. § 32-4302(C)). Missouri's reciprocity statute says the same (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 324.009.3(1)), and so does Florida's MOBILE Act endorsement law (Fla. Stat. § 456.0145(3)).

How do the exams compare?

Texas

The Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners requires 75 percent on its jurisprudence exam, given in English, and a candidate may not sit until all required NBCE parts are complete (22 Tex. Admin. Code § 72.7). There is no limit on retakes. The fee schedule in § 72.1 lists $150 for the online jurisprudence exam, $250 for a repeat exam ($100 to the board, $150 to the vendor), and $55 for the jurisprudence education course; the $200 license application fee includes the online course. Endorsement applicants take it too (§ 72.20(d)). Within 30 days of a complete application, the board must tell the applicant whether they qualify to take the exam (§ 72.2(f)).

Florida

Florida uses the Florida Chiropractic Laws and Rules exam, which the NBCE administers. Per the NBCE's Florida exam page, it has 40 multiple-choice questions, 30 minutes of testing time, and is given at Prometric centers. It covers four areas equally: license requirements, office management, patient care and professional conduct. Candidates must have passed NBCE Part I, have six months to test once accepted, and may retake it without limit. The board requires 75 percent (Fla. Admin. Code R. 64B2-11.001). Florida details are in our Florida guide.

California

California's board exam is developed by the Board of Chiropractic Examiners or its designee and "shall cover California laws and regulations governing the practice of chiropractic, and/or other subjects as taught in chiropractic schools," and it must be taken after graduation (16 CCR § 349(b)(6)). An applicant who fails components twice must retake the whole exam (§ 349(b)(3)).

Oklahoma

Oklahoma's exam is developed jointly by the Oklahoma board and the NBCE. The NBCE describes it as a 52-item, multiple-choice, open-book exam delivered by a secure email link within 24 to 72 hours after application and payment. Scores post to the MyNBCE account about two weeks later, 75 percent passes, and fees are paid through the Oklahoma board.

Oregon

Oregon's Ethics Exam, also administered by the NBCE, tests Oregon statutes and ethics. Oregon additionally requires two NBCE-administered subject exams for licensure, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Genitourinary (OGG) and Minor Surgery and Proctology (MSP), which surprise many applicants from other states.

Other states we have verified

• Montana: open-book, 75 percent (Mont. Admin. R. 24.126.504). The rule exempts endorsement applicants, though the board's website lists the exam for them; expect it in the packet either way.
• Nevada: the board's own exams on Nevada law and other subjects it sets, passed at 75 percent closed-book or 90 percent open-book. Endorsement applicants under NRS 622.530 skip the Nevada law exam.
• Alabama: the state law exam at 75 percent, on both its credentials and reciprocity routes.
• Alaska: a written exam on Alaska law at 75 percent (12 AAC 16.130).
• Arizona: 75 percent on the Arizona jurisprudence exam for endorsement; an applicant who previously failed the Arizona exam cannot use the endorsement or reciprocity routes.

The NBCE's website also lists a Missouri chiropractic jurisprudence exam among the state exams it delivers. Every other state is on its own page in our state license index.

Where does the exam sit in the application?

This is the part that costs people time. In some states you cannot schedule the law exam until the board has approved the rest of the file. Texas notifies eligibility only after a complete application; Florida's exam requires Part I first. Elsewhere, the exam is emailed after you pay. If you treat it as the last step, the license waits on it; if you take it too early, some boards will not count it.

A few habits that save a cycle:

• Read the actual rules, not a summary. Questions come from the practice act and board rules. Florida's NBCE page lists the statute chapters and rule division it draws on.
• Know the open-book rules before you start. Oklahoma and Montana allow it; Nevada sets a higher score for open-book.
• Check the testing window. Florida gives six months to test once you are accepted for the exam, so do not register before you can study.
• Keep the score report. When the exam is not NBCE-delivered, the board usually holds the result, and you may need it later for verification in another state.

How we help

We do not take the exam for anyone or sell answers. Our Jurisprudence & State Law Exam Support ($249 per state) finds the current exam, its vendor, fee and passing score, assembles the statutes and rules it draws from, and times the registration so it does not hold up the license. It is included in the workflow of our License by Endorsement ($499 per state) and Full State License Application ($749 per state). Board and exam fees are paid to the board or vendor.