A Quick Guide About The Chiropractic Clinical Assistant Certification

The Chiropractic Clinical Assistant (CCCA) program is a professional certification program offered by the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB). It is a program designed for individuals who assist with chiropractic therapies in a clinical setting. The program is NOT intended for staff conducting X-rays or front office duties.

Earning a CCCA certification is beneficial for several reasons. First, it improves public protection. The program gives you the regulatory knowledge and practical skills needed to appropriately and safely assist in the treatment of patients. Second, the CCCA program ensures uniform chiropractic assistant training, approximately five percent (5%) of malpractice claims are related to injuries due to therapies. CE credentialing also ensures that there is regulatory oversight and authority over improper conduct. Lastly, obtaining a CCCA certificate may satisfy accreditors for  insurance companies, as oftentimes health care providers with patient contact must be credentialed or licensed..

In the United States, twelve regulatory boards have statutory authority over chiropractic assistants. The FCLB recommends a combined approach According to certification standards. The curriculum for the chiropractic assistant certification is modeled after the FCLB statute and regulation language and is supported by the FCLB. The FCLB is also willing to work directly with boards to help add specific options and will work with boards on full or partial national certification.

Chiropractic Assistant Certification Program Overview

How Do I Become a Certified Chiropractic Assistant?

There are three parts to the chiropractic assistant certification program:

The first offers two avenues for learning the foundational knowledge necessary to safely assist with therapies.  CCCA requires either 2000 hours of hands-on experience under the supervision of a licensed chiropractor or 24 hours of approved education.

The second part of the chiropractic assistant certification program is testing, followed by a required 300 hours of supervised practical chiropractic assistant experience.

To be eligible for the chiropractic assistant certification program, candidates must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent. They must also possess good moral character and be willing to complete the chiropractic assistant certification requirements. The cost of the certification is $150, and includes the price of the examination.

If you decide to take part in the 24 credit hours of education, there are a few items to note. First, courses offered by Providers of Approved Continuing Education (PACE) recognized educators are already vetted to meet CCCA standards. The 24-credit hour requirement can be accessed online, in-person, or a combination thereof. If you submit the 24-credit hour requirement from an institution or venue that is not PACE recognized, a $25 review fee of the program and coursework will be applied to your application.

Chiropractic Assistant Certification Test

Once you fulfill this requirement, you will then move on to the online exam. The exam covers a mix of foundational knowledge, patient safety procedures, ethics and boundaries, and documentation. The examination is the centerpiece of the chiropractic assistant certification credentialing program. The online exam is available 24/7 but must be proctored by an individual with current licensing in good standing. The chiropractic assistant certification test consists of 100 items, and each applicant has 75 minutes to complete. Accommodations are available for applicants with documented special needs.

Once you pass the chiropractic assistant certification test, you are awarded an initial certification that can be printed out and used immediately. Shortly after that, each applicant who successfully passes the exam and all other requirements will be sent an official photo ID badge that is branded with both the CCCA and FCLB logos.

. Before your first renewal, you will be required to demonstrate at least 300 hours of supervised practical clinical experience. This can be satisfied by working the 300 hours in a Doctor of Chiropractic office or applied credit from previous experience. For re-certification, the 300 hours must be completed no later than the first anniversary of passing the exam. Subsequent renewals take place every two years, requiring six continuing education hours in any of four available categories, along with a $35 fee. At this point, you will receive an updated badge and credentialing certification.

The FCLB is committed to the success of each certified chiropractic assistant and works to deliver up-to-date information regarding regulatory processes or changes. The FCLB works with state regulatory chiropractic agencies to adopt CCCA standards and educate legislators about regulatory authority over clinical certified chiropractic assistants.