Education
In many ways, the education todays chiropractic doctor receives is comparable to what a medical practitioner receives.
These days, the education that a chiropractor receives is quite similar to what medical practitioners receive.
In fact, a recent study says that chiropractic and medical curricula are more similar than dissimilar. Some chiropractic colleges require a Bachelors degree before enrollment. A doctor of chiropractics training generally requires a minimum of five years of college study.
Obviously, medical doctors receive additional training in pharmacology and surgery, whereas chiropractors focus more on physiology, pathology and spinal adjusting techniques.
After passing board examinations and state licensing requirements, todays chiropractor, like all types of doctors, must attend continuing education classes for relicensure and to stay current on the latest scientific research.
| SUBJECT | Chiropractic Hours | Medical Hours |
| Anatomy-Embryology | 540 | 508 |
| Physiology | 240 | 326 |
| Pathology-Geriatrics-Pediatrics | 360 | 401 |
| Chemistry | 165 | 325 |
| Microbiology | 120 | 114 |
| Diagnosis, Dermatology, ENT | 630 | 324 |
| Neurology | 320 | 112 |
| Radiology | 360 | 148 |
| Psychology-Psychiatry | 60 | 144 |
| Obstetrics-Gynecology | 60 | 148 |
| Orthopedics | 210 | 156 |
| TOTAL | 3,065 | 2,706 |
SOURCE: Classroom hours based on the review of curriculum [catalog]s from eleven chiropractic colleges and twenty-two medical schools in the United States (1996).