NBCE Part IV
NBCE Part IV (Pre-Licensure Practical Examination)
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ExploreAbout this exam
Part IV is the examination the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners lists under its Testing menu as the "Pre-Licensure Practical Exam (Part IV)." The NBCE's navigation places it in a separate category from the "Pre-Licensure Computer-Based Exams (Parts I, II, III, PHT)," which indicates that Part IV is the performance-based, hands-on element of the pre-licensure sequence rather than another multiple-choice computer test. It is intended for chiropractic students and graduates who are moving through the national board sequence on the way to state licensure, and it is typically taken near the end of that sequence, after the computer-based parts. Because this is a practical examination, preparation is a physical skill-building project rather than a reading project: you rehearse complete procedures out loud, in real time, on a partner, with a coach or peer scoring you against a checklist. Candidates should treat the official NBCE Part IV page and the NBCE application portal as the authoritative source for current format, scheduling, and scoring details. The domain outline and preparation guidance on this page are independent study aids and are not published, endorsed, or reviewed by the NBCE; this platform has no affiliation with the board.
What you'll study
About NBCE Part IV preparation
Is Part IV a computer-based test like Parts I, II and III?
No. The NBCE's own navigation separates the "Pre-Licensure Computer-Based Exams (Parts I, II, III, PHT)" from the "Pre-Licensure Practical Exam (Part IV)." Treat Part IV as a performance examination where you demonstrate procedures rather than click through multiple-choice items. Confirm current delivery details on the official Part IV page before you plan your travel or study schedule.
What does Part IV actually test?
It assesses applied clinical performance rather than recall: history taking and interview conduct, physical and neurological examination procedures, adjustive technique setup and delivery, imaging interpretation, and case reasoning with professional communication. The exact station list, timing, and scoring weights are set by the NBCE and are not reproduced here because they could not be verified from an official source at the time of writing.
How long is the exam and how many stations are there?
We do not publish a station count or time limit because those figures could not be verified against an authoritative NBCE source. Any number you see on a third-party site should be checked directly against the official Part IV page and your examination confirmation materials, which govern your arrival time, check-in window, and on-site schedule.
What score do I need to pass, and what are the pass rates?
Passing standards are set by the NBCE and are not stated in the material available to us, so no cut score is listed here. The NBCE does maintain a pass rates page in its Testing menu, which is the appropriate place to look for published statistics. Always read the current scoring and reporting information from the board rather than relying on older figures.
If I fail, can I retake it, and how soon?
Retake rules, waiting periods, and any attempt limits are set by the NBCE and, in some cases, by your state licensing board. We could not verify the current retake policy, so we do not state one. Contact the NBCE directly at the general information address published on its site, and check your state board's rules as well, before assuming a timeline.
How much does Part IV cost and how do I register?
Fees and registration windows are not listed here because they could not be verified. The NBCE's Testing menu links to an online application portal, and its Part IV page is the correct place to confirm current fees, available test dates, and site locations. Apply through the board's own system only, and keep your confirmation records.
In what order should I study for a practical exam?
Build in layers: first master the sequence and landmarks of each procedure, then add the verbal explanation you would give a patient, then add speed. Finish with full timed mock practicals scored by someone else. Studying by re-reading notes transfers poorly to a performance test, because the graded skill is execution under observation, not recognition.
What are the most common ways candidates lose points?
Typical losses come from skipped steps in a routine, unclear or missing patient instructions, unsafe or poorly controlled setup before a thrust, and running out of time because a segment was rehearsed only in pieces. Practicing complete procedures out loud, on a partner, with a checklist and a timer addresses most of these failure modes before test day.
Where should I get official information?
Use the NBCE's own site as the source of record: its Testing menu links to the Pre-Licensure Practical Exam (Part IV) page, the online application portal, state exam information, and published pass rates. This platform is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or reviewed by the NBCE, so treat our material as supplementary practice only.