NBCE Part III Exam Breakdown: What You Need To Know

Currently, there are 2 versions of the NBCE Part III board exam.

PART III BREAKDOWN

FIRST VERSION: with DXI

This version is composed of three types of test questions: TMCQ, EMCQ and DXI.

1. 80 questions traditional multiple-choice (TMCQ): for these questions you will be given four potential answers, one of which is correct
2. 20 extended multiple-choice cases (EMCQ): for these questions you will be provided case information of a patient, followed by a question with five answer choices, two of which are correct

The TMCQ and EMCQ sections cover 9 clinical categories:

• Case History
• Physical Examination
• Neuromusculoskeletal Examination
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Clinical Laboratory and Special Studies
• Diagnosis or Clinical Impression
• Chiropractic Techniques
• Supportive Interventions
• Case Management

1. 30 diagnostic imaging interpretation (DXI): for each item of this portion you will see images, followed by one question with four possible answers, one of which is correct. This portion makes up ~20% of the exam content.

   The DXI covers 6 categories:

   • Arthritic Disorders
   • Congenital Anomalies and Skeletal Variants
   • Trauma
   • Tumors and Tumor-like processes
   • Miscellaneous Osteoarticular
   • Soft Tissue

SECOND VERSION: without DXI

This version of the NBCE Part III exam does not require diagnostic imagining interpretation and will only consist of the first two types of questions as the first version.

PART III EXAM LAYOUT

When you take Part III, your exam will be divided into two 120 minute sessions. Between these sessions there is an optional 15-minute break. In both sessions you will see all three types of test questions - TMCQ, EMCQ and DXI (if you are taking the first version of the test).

Testing appointments are 4.5 hours.

PART III EXAM FEES for 2024

Here are the exam fees for Part III for 2024:

Part III - $710

Individual Domains - $335

For the 2024 NBCE Exam Schedule and Fees, check out this blog post.

The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners proposed big changes starting in 2024 for their chiropractic board exams. Check our blog post to read more about those changes.

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