written examinations

September 2012 Examinations

Applicant Eligibility

Application

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Test Plans

Schedule

Transcripts

Reference Texts

Fees

Sample Test

 

Test Plans

In developing its examinations, the NBCE follows test plans that specify the content areas and weighting. Test plans are specific to each examination.

 

Part I: Test Plan

 

Printable Part I Test Plan

 

General Anatomy

 

1.   Topographical Anatomy (8%)

2.   Osteology of the Appendicular Skeleton (15%)

3.   Arthrology and Syndesmology of the Appendicular Skeleton (15%)

4.   Myology of the Appendicular Skeleton (18%)

5.   Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems (13%)

6.   Digestive System (10%)

7.   Respiratory System (8%)

8.   Urogenital System (8%)

9.   Endocrine System (5%)

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Spinal Anatomy

 

1.   Osteology of the Axial Skeleton (19%)

2.   Myology of the Axial Skeleton (15%)

3.   Arthrology and Syndesmology of the Axial Skeleton (13%)

4.   Anatomy of the Central Nervous System and Related Structures (23%)

5.   Anatomy of the Peripheral and Autonomic Nervous Systems (21%)

6.   Organs of Special Senses (9%)

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Physiology

 

1.   Neurophysiology (22%)

2.   Muscle Physiology (15%)

3.   Cardiovascular Physiology (15%)

4.   Respiratory Physiology (9%)

5.   Body Fluids and Renal Physiology (10%)

6.   Gastrointestinal Physiology (9%)

7.   Reproductive Physiology (5%)

8.   Endocrine Physiology (9%)

9.   Exercise and Sports Physiology (6%)

 

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Chemistry

 

1.   Carbohydrates (18%)

2.   Lipids (18%)

3.   Proteins, Amino Acids and Peptides (17%)

4.   Enzymes (7%)

5.   Hormones (6%)

6.   Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids (10%)

7.   Vitamins and Minerals (14%)

8.   Biochemical Energetics (10%)

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Pathology

 

1.   Fundamentals of Pathology (21%)

2.   Genetic and Congenital Disorders (4%)

3.   Disorders of the Immune System (7%)

4.   Environmental and Nutritional Diseases (5%)


5.   Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System (18%)

6.   Disorders of the Nervous System (11%)

7.   Diseases of the Organ Systems (34%)

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Microbiology

 

1.   Immunology (23%)

2.   Bacteria (20%)

3.   Viruses and Prions (15%)

4.   Fungi (10%)

5.   Parasites (10%)

6.   Epidemiology and Disease Control (22%)

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Part II: Test Plan

 

Printable Part II Test Plan

 

General Diagnosis

 

1.   Case History (8%)

 

2.   Vital Signs (3%)

 

3.   Head and Neck Examination/Findings (6%)

4.   Thorax Examination/Findings (including heart and lungs) (7%)

5.   Abdominal Examination/Findings (7%)

6.   Rectal and Male Urogenital Examination/Findings (4%)

 

7.   Diagnosis or Clinical Impression (55%)

8.   Laboratory Interpretation (10%)

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Neuromusculoskeletal Diagnosis

 

1.   Case History (11%)

 

2.   Posture and Gait Assessment (5%)

 

3.   Orthopedic Examination (24%)

4.   Neurologic Examination (21%)

5.   Diagnosis or Clinical Impression (39%)

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Diagnostic Imaging

 

1.   X-ray Technology (10%)

2.   Radiographic Positioning and Normal Anatomy (21%)

3.   Imaging Diagnosis or Clinical Impression (50%)

4.   Methods of Interpretation (8%)

5.   Clinical Applications of Special Imaging (11%)

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Principles of Chiropractic

 

1.   The Chiropractic Paradigm (6%)

 

2.    Concepts of Subluxation and Spinal Lesions (30%)

3.   Basic Science Concepts in Chiropractic (32%)

4.   Applied Chiropractic Principles (32%)

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Chiropractic Practice

 

1.   Spinal Analysis and Patient Evaluation (27%)

2.   Chiropractic Adjustive Technique (28%)

3.   Patient Care (25%)

4.   Community Health and Wellness (11%)

5.   Occupational and Environmental Health (9%)

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Associated Clinical Sciences

 

1.   Geriatrics (14%)

2.   Dermatology (11%)

3.    Sexually Transmitted Diseases (9%)

4.    Toxicology (9%)

5.    Emergency Procedures (13%)

6.    Psychology (11%)

7.    Gynecology and Obstetrics (13%)

8.    Pediatrics (14%)

9.    Jurisprudence, Ethics and Basic Economics (6%)

 

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Part III: Test Plan

 

Printable Part III Test Plan

1.    Case History (11%)

Competency description: The successful examinee can identify factors necessary for obtaining a complete case history and applying this knowledge to a clinical picture.

Examples include:

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.

Examples include:

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.

Examples include:

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).

Examples include:

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.

Examples include:

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:

7.    Chiropractic Techniques (14%)

Competency description: The successful examinee will demonstrate knowledge of all areas of chiro-
practic technique.
Examples include:

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.

Examples include:

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.

Examples include:

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Physiotherapy: Test Plan

 

Printable Physiotherapy Test Plan

 

1.    Passive Adjunctive Procedures (44%)

A.    Thermotherapy

  • Infrared
  • Paraffin
  • Hot moist packs
  • Hydrotherapy
  • Ultrasound
  • Diathermy
  • Cryotherapy

B.    Electrotherapy

  • Interferential current
  • High voltage therapy
  • Low volt galvanism/iontophoresis
  • Electrical muscle stimulation
  • TENS
  • Microcurrent

C.    Mechanotherapy

  • Cervical / lumbar traction
  • Massage, vibration and trigger point therapy
  • Bracing/orthotics
  • Taping

D.    Phototherapy

  • Cold laser
  • Ultraviolet

2.    Active Adjunctive Procedures (56%)

A.    Functional assessment

  • Gait
  • Movement patterns
  • Muscular imbalances

B.    Exercise physiology

  • Neurobiology of training and conditioning
  • Biochemistry of training and conditioning

C.    Endurance training

  • Aerobic capacity and adaptation
  • Cardiovascular rehabilitation

D.   Muscle rehabilitation

  • Stretching techniques
  • Strengthening protocols

E.   Neuromusclar rehabilitation

  • Balance and alignment
  • Coordinated movement patterns
  • Core/spine stabilization

F.   Disorder-specific rehabilitation

  • Spine and pelvis
  • Upper extremities
  • Lower extremities

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