Do you want to become a chiropractor?

In order to practise chiropractic in Quebec, you have to start by obtaining a Diploma of College Studies (DCS) in natural science. Then, you must obtain a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from a higher education institution accredited by the Federation of Canadian Chiropractic (FCC), like the doctorate program in chiropractic at Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR), for example.

The five-year program includes 4969 hours of course work.

The courses, which total 245 credits, cover a range of subjects that include:

After earning a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, candidates must also successfully complete the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board (CCEB) national exams, and the Ordre des chiropraticiens du Québec (OCQ) legislation and ethics exam.

The educational training to become a doctor of chiropractic complies with the international standards established by the Councils on Chiropractic Education International (CCEI), an organization responsible for setting the standards for chiropractic education programs and ensuring that these standards are adopted and implemented by various accreditation organizations worldwide.

Where to study

Chiropractic education institutions in Canada

• In Quebec: Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
• In Ontario: Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (Toronto)
• Educational institutions in the United States and elsewhere in the world

Pursuing higher education

After earning your Doctor of Chiropractic degree, you can pursue graduate studies (M.Sc. or Ph.D.) in order to contribute to the development of research in chiropractic.

Research initiatives in various fields (e.g., biomechanics, human kinetics, neurophysiology, ergonomics, clinical research, the development of practical clinical guides, epidemiology) contribute to the development of chiropractic science.

Chiropractic specialties

There are specialized residency programs in chiropractic. The Federation of Canadian Chiropractic (FCC) currently recognizes five chiropractic specialty colleges:

• College of Chiropractic Sciences
• College of Chiropractic Orthopedists
• Chiropractic College of Radiologists
• Canadian Chiropractic Specialty College of Physical and Occupational Rehabilitation
• Royal College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences

Although some chiropractors working in Quebec have completed these residency programs and earned a chiropractic specialty degree that is recognized by the Federation, the current Chiropractic Act does not allow these specialists to display their titles. As part of the process of updating the Chiropractic Act with the Office des professions, the OCQ has requested that this prohibition be lifted for the benefit of the general public.