NBCE Part II
More study resources
Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
NBCE Part II is one of the pre-licensure examinations administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE), the Greeley, Colorado-based organization that develops and administers chiropractic board examinations in the United States. On the NBCE's own site, Part II is grouped with Parts I and III and the PHT under a single navigation entry - "Pre-Licensure Computer-Based Exams (Parts I, II, III, PHT)" - which tells candidates two useful things: Part II is delivered by computer, and the hands-on requirement is a separate event, listed independently as the "Pre-Licensure Practical Exam (Part IV)." The exam is aimed at chiropractic students nearing the end of their clinical training and at graduates completing the examination requirements that state licensing boards use when issuing a license to practice. Because Part II is a clinical-reasoning exam rather than a recall quiz, preparation should be built around applying diagnostic and management concepts to case-style items, not around re-reading lecture notes. Sensible preparation: pull the current content outline and item counts from NBCE, register through the NBCE application portal, work timed question blocks so pacing becomes automatic, and spend extra time on the domains where your practice scores are weakest. Important caveat: our retrieval of NBCE's Part II pages on 2026-10-30 returned "No Results Found" (HTTP 404), so no item counts, time limits, fees, passing standards, or domain weights could be verified - confirm every logistical detail with NBCE directly before you schedule.
What you'll study
About NBCE Part II preparation
Is NBCE Part II a computer-based or a hands-on exam?
Computer-based. NBCE's own navigation lists Part II inside the group labeled "Pre-Licensure Computer-Based Exams (Parts I, II, III, PHT)." The hands-on requirement is a separate event, listed independently as the "Pre-Licensure Practical Exam (Part IV)." If you are planning your schedule, budget for both a computer-delivered test and a separate practical exam.
How many questions are on Part II, and how long is it?
We could not verify this. NBCE's Part II page returned a 404 error when we retrieved it, so item count and time limit are unknown here and we will not guess. Check the official NBCE exam pages and your candidate handbook, and confirm the numbers again shortly before your test date in case the exam has been revised.
How do I register, and what does it cost?
Registration runs through NBCE's application portal, which its site links as "Apply for an Exam." The fee was not verifiable from our source, so we are not quoting a figure. Log in to the portal to see the current fee for your test window, and note that some states add their own jurisdictional requirements or fees on top of NBCE's.
What content does Part II cover?
Part II is the clinical-reasoning stage of the NBCE pre-licensure sequence, so expect case-style items that ask you to move from findings to diagnosis to management rather than straight recall. Domain names and percentage weights could not be verified from our source, so download NBCE's current content outline and use it as your authoritative study map instead of any third-party breakdown.
How hard is Part II, and where do candidates usually struggle?
It is a clinical-application exam, so the common failure modes are predictable: memorizing lists without practicing case reasoning, running out of time because pacing was never rehearsed, and neglecting the imaging and technique domains because they feel less urgent. Candidates who do timed blocks weekly and review every miss for the underlying reasoning usually report the exam feels more manageable.
Can I retake Part II if I do not pass, and how soon?
Retake rules and waiting periods were not verifiable from the pages we retrieved, so treat any specific number as unconfirmed until you read NBCE's current candidate materials. As a general practice, plan a retake strategy before you sit: identify which domains dragged your score down and rebuild your schedule around those before you rebook.
Where can I find official pass rates?
NBCE publishes a pass-rate page, linked from the Testing section of its site. Use it to see how first-time and repeat candidates have performed, but read it as context rather than a prediction - pass rates describe cohorts, not your readiness. Your own timed practice percentages are the more useful short-term signal.
In what order should I study the Part II domains?
Start with the domains your practice blocks score lowest on, not the ones you enjoy. A workable sequence is to spend two weeks on your weakest area, one week on your second weakest, then rotate through the rest in short blocks so nothing goes stale. Keep a running error log and re-test the weak areas every ten days.
Does passing Part II mean I am licensed?
No. NBCE examinations are one input that state licensing boards use; each board sets its own requirements, and NBCE maintains a state licensing boards directory you can check. Passing a national exam is typically necessary but not sufficient - jurisprudence exams, background checks, and state-specific paperwork are common additional steps.
Are the practice materials on this page written or endorsed by NBCE?
No. This is independent study material produced by an unrelated platform; it is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or drawn from NBCE's own examinations. Always treat the official NBCE content outline and candidate handbook as the authority, and use third-party practice questions only as a supplement for reasoning and pacing.