What Part III covers
Part III tests whether you can work a case from start to finish. The NBCE's clinical competency areas are:
- Case History
- Physical Examination and Neuromusculoskeletal Examination
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Clinical Laboratory and Special Studies
- Diagnosis or Clinical Impression
- Chiropractic Techniques
- Supportive Interventions
- Case Management
On top of that is Diagnostic Imaging Interpretation (DXI), covering arthritic disorders, congenital anomalies, trauma, tumors, other osteoarticular conditions, and soft tissue.
Three kinds of questions
| Item type | Count | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional multiple choice (TMCQ) | 80 | One best answer |
| Extended multiple choice (EMCQ) | 20 (10 vignettes × 2) | A longer case with two responses |
| Diagnostic Imaging Interpretation (DXI) | 30 | Read the image, name the finding |
The case questions make up about 80% of the content and DXI about 20%. One rule catches people off guard: you can't go back to earlier items. Answer, commit, move on.
Format, timing, and scoring
- Testing time: 4 hours, in an appointment of about 4½ hours.
- Scoring: 125–800 scaled score; 375 passes.
- Results: about four weeks after the exam window.
- Fee: $710.
When to take it
You need to have finished the required coursework, passed Part I, and be within nine months of graduation, with registrar approval. Part III runs on the same 2026 computer-based calendar as Parts I and II.
How to practice for Part III
- Practice full vignettes under time. Long cases eat the clock. Get used to reading once, pulling out the key findings, and deciding.
- Give imaging its own practice. DXI is its own skill. You get better at it by looking at a lot of films and checking yourself.
- Train the no-going-back rule. Take mock exams without changing earlier answers, so test day feels normal.
ChiroEDU's Part 3 course has four full mock exams with multiple-choice vignettes, and radiology is included, created by a certified DACBR (board-certified chiropractic radiologist).
What comes next
The last step is Part IV, the hands-on practical exam. See all the exams on the NBCE board exam overview.
Sources: NBCE Part III · Part III Test Plan · Student FAQ · Fee Schedule. Checked September 2026; confirm dates and fees with the NBCE before you register.