Applying – New Graduates

Licensing of New Graduates – “Licensure by Acceptance of Examination”

Editor’s Note: This is a specific segment of a full article that covers all license application issues. You can access that full article here.

New graduates should select – “Licensure by Acceptance of Examination” when downloading the license application.

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Licenses may be issued to practice chiropractic on the basis of an examination accepted by the Department. The Department’s regulations require that the examinations be conducted English and consist of the examination administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Part I, Part II, Part III and Part IV. To be successful, examinees must receive a score of at least 375 on all 4 parts of the examination. Note: if you have accumulated 5 or more failures on the exam parts, please see the 5 Failure Rule information below.

If the applicant meets all requirements under the Medical Practice Act, including the necessary educational requirements, and passes the examination, then upon filing the proper application and documentation, to the Department, the applicant is entitled to be issued a chiropractic physician license.

The Department has adopted regulations governing the process for application for licensure based upon examination (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1285.70(d); Section 1285.70(d) of the Rules). Each applicant for a license to practice as a chiropractic physician must submit to the IDFPR the following:

1. A fully completed application signed by the applicant, on which all questions have been answered and all programs of chiropractic education attended by the applicant have been identified, including dates of attendance;
2. An official transcript of a course of instruction, prerequisite to professional training in a college, university or other institution for those applying pursuant to Section 11(B)(2) of the Act;
3. An official transcript and copy of diploma or official transcript and certification of graduation from the education program granting the professional degree; the transcript shall indicate that the applicant has met the minimum chiropractic education requirements of the Act and Rules (the requirements for chiropractic education may be found in Section Section 1285.30 of the Rules). All chiropractic colleges fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council of Chiropractic Education or its successor at the time of graduation shall be deemed to have met the minimum standards. Applicants who have received a chiropractic degree from a college that is not fully accredited in accordance with Section 11(B) of the Act must complete at least 2 additional academic years of study in the clinical sciences of not less than 960 clock hours per academic year in a fully accredited college during the time of additional study; and the hours of clinical practice retaken to fulfill the chiropractic degree requirements. No credit will be given for prior credits in clinical practice.
4. Proof that the applicant is of good moral character and has not engaged in any conduct or activities that would constitute grounds for discipline under Section 22 of the Act. Applications of individuals who answer affirmatively to any question on the personal history portion of the application or who have engaged in activities that would constitute grounds for discipline shall be forwarded to the Enforcement Division of the Division of Professional Regulation for further investigation and action by the Medical Licensing Board as provided in Section 9(B)(4) of the Act (see section on “Personal History” below);
5. Fee as required by Section 21 of the Act;
6. Proof of successful completion of Part I, Part II, Part III and Part IV of the examination pursuant to Section 1285.60(b) forwarded directly to the Division from the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners;
7. Documentation of professional capacity, as set forth in Section 1285.95, for applicants who have not been engaged in the active practice of medicine or have not been enrolled in a medical program for 2 years prior to application [see “Professional Capacity for Applicants Who Apply More Than Two Years After Graduation” section below];
8. Certification from the jurisdiction of original licensure and current licensure stating:
   1. The date of issuance of the license; and
   2. Whether the records of the licensing authority contain any record of disciplinary action taken or pending; and
9. Verification of fingerprint processing from ISP, an ISP live scan vendor whose equipment has been certified by ISP, or a fingerprint vendor agency licensed by the Division. Out-of-state residents unable to utilize the ISP electronic fingerprint process may submit to ISP one fingerprint card issued by ISP, accompanied by the fee specified by ISP. Fingerprints shall be taken within the 60 days prior to application.

When the accuracy of any submitted documentation or the relevance or sufficiency of the course work or training is questioned by the IDFPR because of lack of information, discrepancies in information, or a need for clarification, the applicant will be requested to:

1. Provide information to the IDFPR as may be necessary (via what is usually described as a “deficiency letter); and/or
2. Appear for an interview before the Licensing Board to clarify information or clear up any discrepancies. Note that the need to appear for an interview will delay the licensing process somewhat, due to the schedule and workload of the Licensing Board. Immediately following the interview, the Board may determine that the applicant has met the qualifications or may spell out conditions that must be met to qualify for licensure.

Within 60 days after issuance of the license, the physician must complete a physician profile. The profile contains information, some of which is required and some optional, all of which is public and available on the IDFPR website. Section 1285.305 (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1285.305).

The applicant also must undergo a criminal background check, including fingerprinting within 60 days from the date the application is submitted to the IDFPR. The license application contains a page of detailed instructions entitled “IMPORTANT NOTICE – CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK INFORMATION,” explaining how to complete this requirement for both in state and out of state applicants.