Dear DCP Registrar,

As you know, the NBCE recently transitioned Part IV to a year-round testing model at our new Assessment Center in Greeley, Colorado. This change provides students with significantly greater flexibility in scheduling and creates opportunities to complete licensure requirements earlier than was possible under the previous administration model.

The success of year-round testing depends on students taking advantage of appointment availability throughout the year rather than concentrating demand into a single testing period.

Over the next few hours, the NBCE will be sending a communication to students who are currently eligible - or expected to become eligible this year - to apply for Part IV. These students have successfully completed Part I and are within six months of graduation, or will reach that milestone later this year. For your awareness, a copy of that communication can be viewed here.

How You Can Help

Please encourage eligible students to begin planning and scheduling their Part IV examination as soon as they become eligible. In particular, we encourage students who are eligible to test this summer to take advantage of available appointment opportunities rather than waiting until the fall and winter months, when demand is expected to be significantly higher.

While year-round testing has significantly increased access and flexibility, appointment capacity remains finite each testing weekend. Historically, many students planned around the May and November administrations. As we transition to the new model, we are working to help students understand that Part IV is no longer offered only during those traditional testing periods and that waiting until late in the year may limit their scheduling options.

Summer testing dates currently provide students with the greatest opportunity to secure their preferred testing timeframe. Your assistance in reinforcing this message through your normal student communication channels can help students take full advantage of the flexibility offered by the new, year-round testing model.

What to Expect

As students receive this communication, you may notice:

• Increased requests for Part IV eligibility approval
• Additional questions regarding Part IV eligibility requirements
• More students planning to test earlier than under the previous administration model

We understand that colleges may establish eligibility requirements beyond the NBCE minimum requirements and must manage those processes according to their own policies and procedures.

Registrar Approval Reminder

We have received several questions regarding when a registrar should approve Part IV eligibility. To help support your review process, we wanted to share a few reminders:

1. If you receive a registrar approval request for a Part IV application, the student has already successfully completed Part I. Examinees cannot access the Part IV application until Part I has been successfully completed, so there is no need to independently verify that portion of the eligibility requirement. The NBCE application system automatically verifies Part I completion before granting access to the application.
2. Approve eligibility when the student becomes eligible, not based on when they plan to test. Registrar approval serves as the first step in the application process. Because students do not select a testing appointment until later in that process, eligibility approvals should be based on whether the student meets your institution's requirements at the time the request is received, rather than on a future testing date that has not yet been scheduled.

This approach is intentional and ensures that students who are eligible to begin the application process can view available appointment options and make informed scheduling decisions.

Resources

The NBCE maintains a resource page specifically for Doctor of Chiropractic Programs that includes application guidance, communication templates, social media content, and other resources that may be helpful when advising students regarding Part IV eligibility, scheduling, and preparation. Click here to view the page. Consider bookmarking this link, as it will be updated regularly.

Help Us Spread the Word

1. Share this information with colleagues involved in advising students on licensure examinations, including academic affairs, student services, clinic administration, and other appropriate personnel.
2. Encourage eligible students to explore summer testing opportunities and schedule their Part IV examination as soon as they become eligible rather than waiting until later in the year.
3. Distribute this messaging through your institution's communication channels, including student organizations, newsletters, learning management systems, clinic meetings, and other forums used to communicate with students.

If you need additional communication resources beyond those available on the DCP Resource Toolkit, please let me know. We would be happy to assist.

Thank you for your continued partnership and for the important role you play in preparing the next generation of chiropractors for licensure and practice. The transition to year-round Part IV testing represents a significant advancement in flexibility and access for students, and your support is instrumental in helping them take full advantage of these opportunities.



We appreciate your assistance in reinforcing this message and helping students successfully navigate this transition.

Sincerely,

Tamara Sterling

Vice President of Administration

National Board of Chiropractic Examiners

tsterling@nbce.org

(970)475-0626