Yes, chiropractors are doctors. Health professionals with the label “doctor” are granted the ability to diagnose patients. The BC Government’s Health Professions Act acknowledges chiropractors as doctors due to their education, experience and skills. As doctors, chiropractors provide evidence-informed care to patients.

Individuals who wish to become a chiropractor must complete a minimum of three years of post-secondary education, focusing on organic chemistry, biology and social sciences before applying to an accredited chiropractic college for a further four years of study. The Doctor of Chiropractic degree programs have an average of 4,500 hours which is comparable to the number of hours required by medical students.

In BC, chiropractic doctors who wish to practice must also complete a minimum of 40 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain their expertise and keep them on top of new developments in the health care environment. The College of Chiropractors of BC is the regulatory body that licenses chiropractors in our province and sets standards of practice to protect the public.