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chiropractic school requirements ontario

Chiropractors' education at CMCC includes work with manikins like the one with this student

One of the largest alternative medical professions is Chiropractic care. For the student who is passionate about the fields of health and medicine, who wishes to enter a career-focused program, a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree will prepare you for several job opportunities, including solo or group Chiropractic practitioner, educator, researcher, administrator, whether with a fitness facility, sports team, hospital or in general practice.

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A Chiropractic school focuses on teaching you to diagnosis and treat mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine. Chiropractors believe that these imbalances affect general health via the nervous system, and while they have some similarities to primary care providers, they are recognized as a medical specialty, using manual manipulation, health and lifestyle counseling, and other skills to facilitate optimal wellness.

Students enrolled in Chiropractic Doctoral Degree programs in Canada can expect a curriculum in basic sciences, chiropractic technique, chiropractic philosophy, business management, and will be evaluated to demonstrate clinical competency.

StateEmploymentAnnual Mean Wage
California3,480$70,130
Florida2,110$64,360
New York2,030$79,100
Texas1,940$65,450
Illinois1,510$70,720

Best Chiropractic Schools In Canada

Physiothrapist checking spine of senior man in her office

Chiropractic Schools – Canada
Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College
Toronto, Ontario
www.cmcc.ca
Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
Trois-Rivière, Québec
www.uqtr.ca/chiropratique
French Speaking Program

  • Chesterfield, MOLogan UniversityChiropracticLogan University is dedicated to maximizing human performance. On our 112-acre beautiful campus in Chesterfield, Mo., a suburb of St. Louis, we have built a vibrant learning community. Our scenic, hilltop campus offers state-of-the-art facilities com..
    • Chesterfield, MO 1 More Campus Program(s) Available
  • San Jose, CAPalmer College of ChiropracticChiropractic – West CampusPalmer’s Doctor of Chiropractic degree program offers you a rigorous academic education and hands-on learning in both…
    • Port Orange, FL 1 More Campus Program(s) Available
    • Davenport, IA 1 More Campus Program(s) Available
  • Overland Park, KSCleveland Chiropractic College – Kansas CityDoctor of ChiropracticCleveland College offers a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, a Bachelor of Science degree and an Associate of Arts degree.More Info
  • Los Angeles, CACleveland Chiropractic College – Los AngelesDoctor of ChiropracticCleveland College offers students a choice between a 12 trimester or 9 trimester course of study
  • Wales, United KingdomUniversity of GlamorganChiropractic PaediatricsThis new course is designed to provide you with the theoretical and practical knowledge to specialise in child health. Modern facilities at the University include well equipped laboratories and simulated clinical practice areas complemented by excellent
    • Wales, United Kingdom 3 More Campus Program(s) Available
  • Toronto, PECanadian Memorial Chiropractic CollegeDoctor of ChiropracticThe Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) is the only english speaking chiropractic college in Canada. CMCC offers a four year full-time progr..
  • Pasadena, TXTexas Chiropractic CollegeChiropracticScientific & evidence-based approach to the discipline, rigorously grounded in classroom excellence, research, & patient care
  • Guildford, United KingdomUniversity of SurreyChiropractic – Doctorate

Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College Admission Requirements

The minimum academic requirement for admissions is a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.50 on CMCC’s 4.00 grade point scale from the last three full years (15 full year courses or 90 credit hours) of undergraduate university level study. Marks obtained from graduate level study (Master’s or Doctoral) are not calculated in the CGPA. There are no prerequisites for admission.

Following a successful admissions interview, applicants holding Master’s or Doctoral degrees at the time of the application deadline will be ranked at the 75th percentile of the admissions pool, or will be ranked according to their undergraduate CGPA, whichever is higher.

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that CMCC’s admission requirements and academic program meet the licensure and associated eligibility requirements of the regulatory body for the jurisdiction in which they wish to practice.

All academic requirements must be completed no later than May 31 of the year of registration at CMCC.

Proof of English language proficiency

Students for whom English is not a first language will be asked to identify such on their application, and may be required to submit evidence of their proficiency in English by demonstrating:

  • A sufficient university level course work in English; and/or
  • A minimum score of 92 on the internet based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); and/or
  • A minimum score of 7.0 on the Academic International English Language Test System (IELTS)

For more information about TOEFL, please visit www.ets.org/toefl (CMCC’s institutional code is 8866), and for more information about the IELTS, please visit http://ielts.org.

Transcripts

Transcripts from institutions outside of North America must be evaluated on a course by course basis by World Education Services, Inc (WES Canada). This is the only agency from which CMCC will accept foreign transcript evaluations. Applicants must set up an account with WES, designating CMCC as a recipient.

Official copies of transcript evaluations must be forwarded directly by WES to CMCC. For more information, please contact World Education Services, Inc. www.wes.org/ca. Notarized English translations of documents and certified true photocopies of the originals of all documents that are in a language other than English must be provided at the time of application.

Applicants with disabilities

Applicants with disabilities will not be summarily denied admission, nor will higher academic requirements be demanded. An applicant with a disability will not be required to disclose his/her disability during the application process.

Prior to accepting an offer of admission, the applicant with a disability is required to disclose any functional limitations associated with carrying out classroom, laboratory and clinical assignments, including microscopic work, imaging, interpretations, chiropractic techniques, or the equivalent; pass written, oral and practical examinations, and meet all the other requirements of the Doctor of Chiropractic degree program.

CMCC will consider requests for academic accommodation in accordance with related policies and guidelines. The accommodations provided by CMCC are given within the context of the four year CMCC program only, and are not intended to extend to other situations such as future professional examinations (e.g., licensing examinations) or decisions regarding future licensure.

Students with disabilities are strongly advised to consult the chiropractic regulatory board(s) in the country, province or state in which they intend to practice. Please refer to page 88 in the Academic Calendar Policies section for CMCC’s policy, Academic Accommodation for Students With Disabilities.

how to become a chiropractor

To learn to be a chiropractor, your education covers anatomy and physiology of the spine that is more extensive than other medical professionals.

A key difference is that each chiropractor is uniquely trained and qualified to diagnose issues concerning your spine, muscles and joints. They’re also qualified to diagnose nervous system conditions related to your spine, muscles and joints.

Chiropractors assess, diagnose and treat your conditions with non-invasive, medication-free, hands-on care.

To learn to be a chiropractor and practise in Canada, students must first complete at least six to seven years of post-secondary education, including more than 4,200 hours of specialized chiropractic training. Following this formal education, graduates must pass standardized regulatory exams and attain a license to practise in a Canadian province or territory.

Grand with Suzie, a simulation manikin, at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC).

chiropractor education requirements canada

In Canada, we have two accredited chiropractic college/university programs:

Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC), in Toronto, Ontario – This evidence-based leader in chiropractic education and research offers a four-year second entry undergraduate professional program leading to a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree. CMCC has collaborative relationships with universities, hospitals and other chiropractic institutions worldwide. Its campus features modern teaching and laboratory space, including simulation and biomechanics laboratories. CCMC’s clinical interns serve diverse patient populations through its network of community-based clinics across Toronto. It offers this degree program, as well as postgraduate and continuing education programs under the written consent of Ontario’s Ministry of Colleges and Universities. We showcase and promote its independent clinical research to advance understanding of the chiropractic profession.

Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, in Quebec – The doctor of chiropractic program at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières is taught entirely in French and is the only program within the Quebec university system that delivers education and training for chiropractors. It offers a five-year program, available after CEGEP in Quebec or after one year of university outside Quebec.

However, many chiropractors practicing in Ontario attain their chiropractic education and training from an accredited chiropractic college in the United States, or one in other countries, such as Great Britain and Australia.

chiropractic school requirements ontario

In Ontario, a chiropractor’s education includes at least three years of undergraduate university level study and a four-year degree at the accredited CMCC, achieving the following:

1,250 course hours –

Training in musculoskeletal (spine, muscles and joints) patient care, including assessment, diagnosis, pain management, restoration of function, patient education and preventative care

450+ course hours –

Focused on spinal manipulative therapy, including biomechanics and contraindications

1,350+ hours – 

Clinical internships

360 hours – 

Education in radiology

Additional Courses – 

Related to diagnostic imaging, laboratory diagnosis, clinical nutrition, clinical psychology, neurodiagnosis, orthopedics, toxicopharmacology and rehabilitation

While other health care professionals can complete advanced training in areas of diagnosis, imaging and spinal manipulative therapy, these are core competencies you learn to become a chiropractor.

Chiropractic Specialty Colleges

Some chiropractors also pursue additional academic and practical education to specialize in: clinical sciences and diagnostic imaging, pediatric, spinal stenosis, sports sciences, rehabilitation or animal chiropractic care.

Specialty chiropractic colleges in Canada include:

  • College of Chiropractic Sciences (CCS)/ Collège des sciences chiropratiques
  • College of Chiropractic Orthopedists (Canada) CCO(C) / College des Chiropraticiens Orthopedistes (Canada)
  • Chiropractic College of Radiologists (CCR)C., INC. / Conseil chiropratique des radiologues
  • Canadian Chiropractic Specialty College of Physical and Occupational Rehabilitation / Collège canadien de spécialité chiropratique de réadaptation physique et santé au travail
  • Royal College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences (Canada) (RCCSS(C)) /Collège royal des sciences sports chiropractique (Canada)

Regulations and the College of Chiropractors of Ontario (CCO)

The CCO regulates chiropractors in Ontario to ensure every patient receives safe and quality care.  It was established by the Regulated Health Professions Act and the Chiropractic Act to serve as the legislated regulatory body for chiropractors in Ontario. Every chiropractor practising in Ontario must be a registered member of CCO.

As part of its role regulating chiropractic care in Ontario to ensure chiropractors safely and ethically deliver quality care, CCO sets:

Practising in Ontario: Examinations and Licensing

To practise in Ontario, all graduates from an accredited chiropractic program must:

  • Pass the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board (CCEB) examinations, which include a knowledge-based written examination and practical clinical competency examination.
  • Pass the College of Chiropractors of Ontario (CCO) Legislation and Ethics examination.
  • Obtain a license from CCO to practise in Ontario (after successfully passing the CCEB and CCO examinations).

Continuing Education and Quality Assurance

A chiropractor’s training is ongoing. To keep their knowledge and skills up-to-date, practising chiropractors must participate in the CCO Quality Assurance Program.

This program requires chiropractors to take part in:

  • Self-Assessment and Continuing Education activities, such as taking courses, including webinars, attending workshops and reading professional journals.
  • Peer and Practice Assessment Program
  • X-Ray Peer Review Program
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