Verified October 8, 2026 against the practice act, board rules and sources cited below. The board decides every application. All states
What chiropractors miss in Virginia
- Chiropractic is regulated by the Board of Medicine, under the same chapter as medicine, osteopathy and podiatry.
- A DC out of active practice more than four years (under 640 clinical hours) may be required to pass SPEC to reinstate (18VAC85-20-240).
Can a chiropractor licensed in another state get a Virginia license by endorsement?
Virginia has no separate chiropractic endorsement track; a DC licensed elsewhere applies on the standard NBCE record for their graduation date, without retaking parts. The Board of Medicine's endorsement rule requires medical specialty board certification that DCs do not hold. Pre-1991 graduates can substitute SPEC and need two years of licensure in another state.
- Endorsement route available
Citation: 18VAC85-20-140(D); 18VAC85-20-141
Which exams does Virginia require?
Graduates after January 31, 1996 document NBCE Parts I through IV; 1991 to 1996 graduates need Parts I, II and III. Graduates from 1965 to 1991 may use Parts I and II plus SPEC, and earlier graduates SPEC alone, each with two years of licensure in another state.
- NBCE Parts I–IV
- SPEC for some applicants
Acupuncture qualification in Virginia
Before using acupuncture, a licensed DC must complete at least 200 hours of instruction in acupuncture, including at least 50 hours of clinical experience supervised by someone legally authorized to practice acupuncture.
Citation: 18VAC85-20-131
How often does a Virginia chiropractic license renew?
Renew every two years in the birth month. Thirty hours of continuing learning per biennium, as Type 1 clinical hours approved by a CCE-accredited college or another board-approved organization; the first renewal after initial licensure is exempt. Keep records six years.
- Renews every 2 years
- 30 CE hours per cycle
Licensing in Virginia?
We file the application, send your NBCE scores and verifications, and carry the board correspondence. License by endorsement is $499. Not sure which route fits? The readiness review answers that for every state you want.