ABFP Certification Requirements

Each category and the recommended minimum number of hours are noted below. Credit for each category is obtained by completing the minimum number of hours and successful passing of a category examination on the subject matter presented in each session. Education may be obtained from any institution having status with an accredited agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or program acceptable to the ABFP. Any postgraduate course being used to meet these requirements is subject to approval and must be verified in writing by the ABFP.

The current requirements after January 01, 2002 are:

PART I CORE REQUIREMENTS (190 hours)
PART II FORENSICS            (136 hours)
PART III WRITTEN EXAMINATION (Forensics)

**Note: A candidate may sit the exam with part II only but will not be certified as a DABFP until all 3 components listed above are completed.

PART I-CORE REQUIREMENTS Category I-Orthopedics (minimum 40 hours) Session Description Hours 1 Regional Orthopedics: Cervical Spine and Cervical/Brachial Region 10 2 Regional Orthopedics: Thoracolumbar 10 3 Regional Orthopedics: Upper Extremity 10 4 Regional Orthopedics: Lower Extremity 10 CategoryII Diagnostic Imaging (minimum 40 hours) Session Description Hours 5 Radiology: Bone and Joint Disease 10 6 Imaging of Trauma 20 7 Diagnostic Imaging: CT, MRI< & Nuclear 10 Category III- Clinical Diagnosis (minimum 50 hours) Session Description Hours 8 Clinical Evaluation: History and Physical 10 9 A Systematic Approach to Laboratory Diagnosis 10 10 Clinical Neurology: Examination Procedures 10 11 Concepts and Protocols in NeuroDiagnostic Testing 10 12 Assessment/Evaluation of Peripheral Vascular and Other Organ Systems 10 Category IV- Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine Modalities and Procedures (minimum 30 hours) Session Description Hours 13 P.T. in Musculoskeletal Disorders 10 14 Concepts and Protocols in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation 20 Category V-Forensic Examiner's Responsibilities (minimum 30 hours) Session Description Hours 15 Literature Review, Critique and Research Design 10 16 Outcome Assessment Measurement 10 17 Behavioral Science Applications in Impairment Rating and Disability Determination 10 Minimum Total Hours: 190 PART II-FORENSICS **Category VI-Forensic Chiropractic Program Leading to Certification (136 Hours) Session Description Hours   Program 18 Forensic Science - Introduction and State of the Art 20 Diplomate Forensic Science 101-105 19 Law for the Forensic Examiner 20 Diplomate Forensic Science 106-110 20 Explaining and Understanding Science 20 TBA 21 Independant Medical Evaluation 20 Contact Western States CC Click here for details 22 Impairment Rating and Disability Determination for the Forensic Examiner 36 Contact NUHS/Lincoln College Click here for details Phone: 630-889-6622 Email:postgrad@nuhs.edu OR   Applications in Impairment Rating: Federal Disability and Organ Systems 10 AND   Disability Evaluation and Rating of Physical Impairment 30 23 Effective Techniques for the Forensic Examiner 20 October 30-November 1, 2009 in St Louis, MO Click here for details **Instructors for the Forensic Chiropractic Program must be approved by the ABFP (Minimum Total Hours: 120) PART III-WRITTEN EXAMINATION (Forensics) This examination can be taken after completing the 136 hour forensics program.