The Board holds Registration Examinations twice a year - February and September. These Registration Examinations are currently held in Auckland. Candidates for the Registration Examination are advised to download and read the Registration Examination Handbook to ensure they are fully aware of the requirements and processes for examination. A link to the Handbook is located at the bottom of this page.
A brief overview of the Registration Examination is:
As a mirror to clinical practice in New Zealand, the candidate is examined in relation to the following functions; assessment and evaluation; communication, interpretation of findings, planning, intervention, re-evaluation and professional responsibilities.
The approximate percentages of question distribution across functions are:
§ communication, interpretation of data, planning, intervention, re-evaluation and professional responsibilities - (50% ± 2%).
§ Neurology - (20% ± 1%);
§ Multi-system
- (20%±1%).
Examination Description
The examination is divided into two parts and cumulatively, is approximately two (2) hours with additional time allocated to registration, orientation, breaks, etc., for a total time of approximately two and a half (2.5) hours. This may be held over a morning and afternoon in one day or over two consecutive days.
Note : Candidates are responsible for bringing their own diagnostic
kit. No other equipment or food is
permitted in the examination area.
To facilitate accommodation of candidates with special needs, all candidates, examiners, standardized clients and support staff are asked to refrain from the use of heavily scented products on the day of the examination.
During the Dynamic component of the examination the candidate will be expected to perform the following:
§ Case History : Identify factors necessary for a complete case history and be able to apply this knowledge to a clinical picture by taking a focused and relevant history while probing further for relevant details with the aim of deriving realistic differential diagnoses/clinical impressions.
§ Physical Examination : Select appropriate physical examination procedures and be able to apply knowledge of these procedures to a clinical setting with the aim to further identify the clinical presentation.
§ Neuro-Musculoskeletal Examination : Select and apply appropriate neuro-musculoskeletal examination procedures with the aim to further identify the clinical presentation.
§ Chiropractic Examination : Demonstrate clinical competence in assessing the need for chiropractic care and perform a chiropractic examination eg: palpation, muscle testing, postural analysis etc as appropriate to the clinical scenario.
§ Pathophysiology : Demonstrate knowledge of the pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for patient’s complaint based upon information gathered in the various areas of the examination.
§ Patient Communication : Demonstrate an ability to establish satisfactory relationships with patients and communicate effectively in the areas of; cultural safety, patient communication, issues of informed consent, professionalism and local jurisprudence in the context of chiropractic practice.
§ Record Keeping : Demonstrate the ability to record relevant data and information from the patient interaction and case management.
Candidates will have up to one (1) hour to complete this section upon which they must have recorded a management plan for the given clinical scenario after performing an appropriate patient workup and based on illicited information from the patient examination. All data must be recorded in accordance with the Board Standards of Practice.
The Static component will be run by a panel of three examiners and be interview based and will not necessarily have an actor present. The component will focus on application of clinical knowledge and clinical decision making related to activities such as:
§ Case Management : Arrives at a rational clinical impression, requests additional information and diagnostic testing (eg: x-ray) and deciding on the appropriate management. Incorporates this information into findings, evidences development of a management plan appropriate to the patient’s needs including technique choices, patient safety issues, re-evaluation and referral as required, demonstrates the ability to adequately monitor patient progress, provide self help measures and additional advice/care consistent with primary contact practitioner objectives.
§ Radiology/Radiography: Interpretation of x- rays of common conditions
§ Demonstrates appropriate critical thinking and rationale : ability to list appropriate working differentials for the case and rationalize arrival at a rational clinical impression.
§ Patient Management : Select an approach to the management or disposition of cases that is consistent with the clinical impression or diagnosis. This includes the ability to locate and manage specific spinal problems, evaluate contraindications to spinal adjustments and to discuss the clinical management of patients in general and specific cases.
§ Interdisciplinary Communication : Demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate with other health professionals for the purpose of case management and patient safety.
§ Chiropractic Technique : Demonstrate knowledge of all areas of fundamental chiropractic and supportive techniques including a variety of techniques for given clinical scenarios. Demonstrate an ability to relate spinal biomechanics to chiropractic analysis and assessment and the ability to provide competent chiropractic care including:
o adjustive set ups;
o low force techniques;
o supportive techniques (eg: trigger point therapy).
Candidates will have up to one (1) hour for this section where they will have an interview by a panel of three (3) examiners who will discuss the case and the clinical decisions made the by the candidate.
Registration Examination Handbook - June 2010
