Doctors of Chiropractic receive extensive, demanding professional education on par with medical doctors (MDs) and osteopaths (DOs). Before acceptance to a five-year doctoral chiropractic college, prospective chiropractors must complete a minimum of three years of undergraduate work with a heavy emphasis on the basic sciences.To receive the doctor of chiropractic degree, candidates must complete their 5 years of graduate-level instruction and complete an internship at an accredited chiropractic institution.

Chiropractic student focus on science and diagnosing conditions of the human body throughout their 5-years of school as a doctoral candidate. The first two years of study, emphasize classroom and laboratory work in anatomy, physiology, public health, microbiology, pathology and biochemistry. Later, the focus is on specialized subjects, including chiropractic philosophy and practice, along with chiropractic diagnosis and adjusting methods. Since chiropractors don’t prescribe traditional legend drugs, instead of studying pharmacology and surgery, they receive an even deeper training in anatomy, physiology, rehabilitation, nutrition, diagnosis, X-ray and a variety of adjusting techniques that aren’t taught in any other health care field.

Chiropractic colleges are fully accredited by the U.S. Department of Education and are regularly reviewed to ensure the highest standards of educational curriculum is followed at these institutions.  To learn more about the twenty accredited chiropractic colleges and universities in the united state, please click here.  

According to the Center for Studies in Health Policy, "The DC can provide all three levels of primary care interventions and therefore is a primary care provider, as are MDs and DOs. The doctor of chiropractic is a gatekeeper to the health care system and an independent practitioner who provides primary care services. The DC's office is a direct access portal of entry to the full scope of service."

As a portal of entry care provider a Doctor of Chiropractic has comprehensive knowledge of all systems of the body and diagnostic procedures enable the Doctor of Chiropractic to thoroughly evaluate a patient, address disorders relating to the spine and determine the need for referral to another health care provider.

In the State of Idaho Doctors of Chiropractic have an expansive scope of practice which allows for them to utilize physiotherapy devices, perform venipuncture to collect blood specimens for laboratory diagnosis, give nutritional advice, and dispense nutritional supplements from their offices. Three other States share the characteristics of an expansive scope of practice: Oregon, Ohio, and Oklahoma. Chiropractic is recognized by governmental health care programs. Chiropractic is included in Medicare, Medicaid, Federal Employees Health Care Benefits Programs, Federal Workers' Compensation and all state workers' compensation programs.