Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility

Do the exams have to be written in order?
Yes. Component A is a prerequisite for Component B, and Component B is a prerequisite for Component C. However, you may write Component B and Component C at the same time, provided that you are eligible for both exams.

Can I write more than one exam in the same exam session?
Component B may not be written in the same exam session as Component A; however you may write Component B and Component C at the same time, provided that you are eligible for both exams.

I have only taken the Written Cognitive Skills Examination (WCSE). Now what?
If a candidate has taken the CCEB exams prior to 2004 (when they were the Written Cognitive Skills Exam), a Provincial Licencing Office may request that he or she take Component B and Component C. Please contact the applicable Provincial Licencing Office to determine their requirements.

Application

What are the photo requirements?

  • Photo must be a close-up of the head and shoulders so that the face covers a minimum of 25% of the photo.
  • Photo must show a full front view of the face and top of the shoulders squared to the camera (the image of the face and shoulders must be centered in the photo).
  • Photo must be taken against a plain white or light-coloured background so that the applicant’s features are clearly distinguishable against the background. There should be enough contrast between the background and the traits or clothing.
  • Photo must be clear, sharp and in focus.

I want to apply for an exam, but it is not listed on the Application Form. How do I apply?
If the exam date is not listed on the posted Application Form, either the application deadline has passed, or applications are not yet being accepted. Please check back at a later date.

What if the Application Deadline has passed?
Late Applications are received and reviewed at Cancellation Deadline based on site capacities. Information on Late Applications is listed under How to Apply.

Do you require my transcripts?
For each exam, we require an official transcript or an Eligibility Letter confirming cumulative GPA and expected date of graduation. You must request that your DC Program send this document directly to CCEB to be received by 4pm MST on the Cancellation Deadline. Your DC Program may fax or email this document before mailing to ensure it arrives before the deadline. When an official final transcript is received, it will apply to all future CCEB exams.
Component C only: An official final transcript is required before results will be released.

I have not received any correspondence by email. Why do I do?
All correspondence will be sent by email. You must add exams@cceb.ca to your contact list to ensure emails are not flagged as spam. Confirmation will be sent by the CCEB within 72 hours of receipt of application or correspondence. If you do not receive this confirmation, please phone the CCEB at 403-230-5997.

Payment

Can I pay over the phone?
No, the CCEB does not have the capability to accept payments over the phone.

Can I pay by personal cheque?
Fees may be paid by certified cheque, bank draft or money order in Canadian funds only. Exams fees may also be remitted via PayPal for online applications. No other form of payment is accepted.

I tried paying online, but my credit card was not accepted. Why?
Please contact PayPal directly if you experience any difficulties making payment. The CCEB cannot contact PayPal on your behalf due to privacy laws.

Exam

Who develops the questions?
Questions are developed by practicing chiropractors who are content area experts. The questions are not written by any college faculty members. Questions are then reviewed by CCEB exam and item experts. These experts confirm the content and ensure that the questions are written in a proper format that meets current standards of psychometric testing.

How do you select your exam questions?
Our blueprint for all three exam components is derived from a job analysis survey of practicing chiropractors in Canada. The Component A blueprint is also supplemented with a curriculum survey of Canadian, US, and international chiropractic colleges. Questions are selected to reflect the competencies required for the safe practice of chiropractic. The questions selected for each exam are reviewed by the Item Review Committee, which is comprised of practicing chiropractors from a variety of colleges and with varied practice experience.

Who are the examiners?
All examiners have been in active practice in Canada for a minimum of 3 years and do not include college faculty. These examiners have been appointed and trained by the CCEB and are selected to represent a range of experience, type of practice, region, and education (Canada, US, International).

How are French exams constructed?
French chiropractors are involved in the item writing and review process. French exams are translated by professional translators from English to the translator’s mother tongue of French. The French exam is then reviewed by a practicing Francophone chiropractor who took chiropractic schooling in French.

Does the Canadian graduate have an advantage?
Exam statistics indicate a difference in pass percentages between different colleges; however, the CCEB has taken many steps to ensure that this is not due to any bias in the exams.

The CCEB exams are designed to test for the competencies required to practice chiropractic in Canada. Our blueprint for all three exam components is derived from a job analysis survey of practicing chiropractors in Canada. The Component A blueprint is also supplemented with a curriculum survey of Canadian, US, and international chiropractic colleges.

All of our exam committees consist of chiropractors who have been practicing for a minimum of one year in Canada, and include an equal number of representatives who have graduated from Canadian and non-Canadian chiropractic colleges. Component C examiners are also selected to provide an equal representation of graduates from different schools.

We do not provide any additional study tools or information to any college, beyond what is posted on the CCEB website. Students or graduates of Canadian colleges do not receive any further information than that which is provided to all candidates and posted on the website.

Would studying old CCEB exam questions help me?
CCEB exam questions are constantly created, revised, and retired. The chances of any one question appearing on a current exam is less than 0.05%.

Results

When will I get my results?
Exam results are emailed within six weeks of the exam date. Please be patient, but if your results are not received within eight weeks, please contact the CCEB.

How do you score my exam?
The CCEB follows a rigorous scoring process. Examiners and statisticians are provided with randomly assigned candidate numbers only, so all grading is done maintaining candidate anonymity. Candidate score forms are initially scored by machine. The score forms of all unsuccessful candidates are then rescored by hand to ensure accuracy. The raw scores are then processed through computerized statistical programs to obtain the final score.

Can I see my mark?
Candidates are provided with a Successful or Unsuccessful result. Individual scores are not available to candidates under any circumstances. The exams are conducted for licensure purposes and as such are not a learning tool for candidates. The candidates’ exam papers and/or score forms are not available for review.