Healthcare License
How to Verify a Chiropractor's License
Chiropractic licenses are issued by state chiropractic boards or boards of healing arts. The Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB) maintains a centralized database. Here is how to confirm a chiropractor's credentials.
Quick answer
Use the FCLB PDAP (Practitioner Data Assistance Program at fclb.org/verify) for a cross-state chiropractic license lookup. This aggregates licensure and disciplinary data from most state chiropractic boards. Also verify directly with the state chiropractic board in the state of practice, check the NPI registry, and run an OIG exclusion check for any Medicare/Medicaid role.
Step 1: FCLB PDAP
The Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB) maintains the PDAP (Practitioner Data Assistance Program), a centralized database of chiropractic licensure and disciplinary information from participating state boards.
PDAP verification (fclb.org/verify) returns:
- License status per state
- License number and expiration date
- Disciplinary actions reported by participating boards
- National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) exam status
PDAP provides both employer-requested searches and practitioner-initiated verifications. Fees apply for employer-requested searches. Most state boards participate, making PDAP the most efficient cross-state starting point.
Step 2: State chiropractic board
For real-time license status or states not fully covered by PDAP, verify directly with the state chiropractic licensing board. Most states have a dedicated board of chiropractic examiners; others fold chiropractic into a broader health professions or healing arts board.
Key state chiropractic board portals
- California: CA Board of Chiropractic Examiners — chiro.ca.gov
- Texas: TX Board of Chiropractic Examiners — tbce.state.tx.us
- Florida: FL DBPR — myfloridalicense.com
- New York: NYS Office of the Professions — op.nysed.gov/verification
- All states: FCLB directory — fclb.org
NPI registry and OIG exclusion
For chiropractors billing Medicare or other federal health programs:
- NPI registry (nppes.cms.hhs.gov): Confirms provider registration and taxonomy code (chiropractic, DC). Search by name or NPI number.
- OIG LEIE (oig.hhs.gov/exclusions): An excluded chiropractor cannot be employed by or bill to any Medicare/Medicaid-participating entity. Search the exclusion list before hiring or contracting.
Medicare coverage for chiropractic services is limited to manual manipulation of the spine for subluxation — but many chiropractic practices submit Medicare claims, making OIG exclusion checks relevant for all chiropractic hiring.
NBCE examinations
The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) administers the Part I–IV board exams required for chiropractic licensure in most states. NBCE exam transcripts can be verified through FCLB PDAP or by requesting official transcripts from NBCE directly (nbce.org).
Specialty certifications (diplomate programs in radiology, orthopedics, neurology, etc.) are offered through chiropractic specialty boards and can be verified through the relevant certifying organization.
Verify chiropractic college accreditation
State boards require graduation from a CCE-accredited chiropractic college. Use VerifyED to confirm that a claimed DC degree comes from a legitimate, CCE-accredited institution and is not from a diploma mill.
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