CAC Practice Test

The CAC credential is for licensed chiropractors (DC) and veterinarians (DVM) who graduated from an AVCA-approved post-graduate animal chiropractic program. This page gives you free practice sets on anatomy, assessment, techniques, ethics, records and risk, plus worked answers and a study plan. Fees, scoring and renewal details come from the exam body and are summarised below.

CAC Exam at a Glance

What changed for CAC in 2026

• Oct 22, 2026: Score release changed to Mailed about 6 weeks after the exam (previously Mailed about six weeks after the exam).^[1]
• Oct 22, 2026: Renewal changed to Every 3 years; at least 30 AVCA-approved CE hours (previously Recertify every 3 years with at least 30 AVCA-approved CE hours).^[2]
• Oct 22, 2026: Delivery changed to In person: written exam plus canine and equine practical stations (previously In-person written and practical exams).^[1]
• Oct 22, 2026: Eligibility changed to Licensed DC or DVM who graduated from an AVCA-approved post-graduate program (previously Licensed DC or veterinarian who completed an AVCA-approved basic program).^[1]
• Oct 22, 2026: Other (update 2026-03-17) changed to On March 17, 2026, AVCA warned of a scam email using the wrong name 'Animal Veterinary Chiropractic Association' and carrying a dangerous attachment. Official AVCA emails come only from avcainfo@junct.com. (previously AVCA posted a security alert on March 17, 2026 warning of a scam email that uses an incorrect organization name and a dangerous attachment.).^[3]
• Mar 17, 2026: On March 17, 2026, AVCA warned of a scam email using the wrong name 'Animal Veterinary Chiropractic Association' and carrying a dangerous attachment. Official AVCA emails come only from avcainfo@junct.com.^[3]

What the CAC is and how it works

According to Animal Chiropractic Certification Commission, “A passing score of 75 must be achieved on both the written and practical examinations.”^[1]

The CAC (Certified Veterinary Chiropractor) credential is awarded by the Animal Chiropractic Certification Commission. It is meant for licensed DCs and DVMs who have completed a basic post-graduate animal chiropractic program approved by the AVCA Education Committee. Without that training you are not eligible to sit the exam.

The exam is taken in person. It has a written, knowledge-based part and practical stations that cover both canine and equine patients. You can register for the written exam only, the clinical (practical) exam only, or both together.

• Written exam only: $265.00
• Clinical (practical) exam only: $485.00
• Written and clinical exams: $750.00

Retake fees are the same as the first-attempt fees for each option.

A score of 75 is required on both the written and the practical exams. Results are mailed about 6 weeks after the exam and are not released earlier.

Certification is issued for 3 years. To renew, you need at least 30 AVCA-approved continuing education hours, and the renewal is due on or before December 31 of the third year.

Fees and dates can change, and this page may lag behind the exam body. Check the registration site at avcaexam.regstep.com and the maintaining-certification page at animalchiropractic.org before you pay or book. Our practice questions are written by us with AI tools and are not real exam questions.

Worked examples: how to reason through CAC questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: Which component of the static palpation examination is most important for identifying a vertebral subluxation complex in a small animal patient?

1. Assessment of intersegmental joint motion and end-feel
2. Measurement of body weight
3. Evaluation of skin temperature across the whole body
4. Ophthalmic examination

Answer: A. Assessment of intersegmental joint motion and end-feel

Explanation:

Static palpation is hands-on assessment of the spine at rest, and its purpose is to find segments that do not move normally. Assessing intersegmental joint motion and end-feel shows whether a joint is fixed or hypermobile, which is the pattern of a vertebral subluxation complex. Body weight is a useful general measure but says nothing about a single segment. Skin temperature across the whole body is too broad to localise a joint problem. An ophthalmic examination looks at the eye and has no link to spinal palpation.

Rule to remember: match the finding to the structure in question, and pick the option that tests joint motion directly.

Example 2

Question: What is the most common mistake professionals make when implementing chiropractic techniques and adjustments strategies?

1. Transferring all risk to external partners through contracts
2. Responding to problems only after they occur
3. Creating contingency plans for every possible scenario regardless of probability
4. Developing contingency plans for high-probability risk scenarios

Answer: D. Developing contingency plans for high-probability risk scenarios

Explanation:

The wording asks for a mistake, but the keyed answer describes the sound approach: focus contingency plans on the risks most likely to happen. That puts effort where it protects patients and the practice most. Transferring all risk through contracts is wrong because a contract can shift cost but not your clinical and professional responsibility. Responding only after problems occur is wrong because it is reactive and leaves no plan in place. Planning for every possible scenario regardless of probability is wrong because it spreads effort thin and ignores likelihood.

Rule to remember: read the stem and every option carefully, then prioritise by likelihood and impact.

Example 3

Question: When a veterinary chiropractor transfers care to a colleague, which record elements are most critical to include in the transfer summary?

1. Owner's insurance policy number and payment history
2. Diagnosis, treatment history, responses to adjustments, and current listing findings
3. Staff notes about owner communication style
4. Appointment no-show history

Answer: B. Diagnosis, treatment history, responses to adjustments, and current listing findings

Explanation:

A transfer summary exists so the receiving clinician can carry on care safely. That needs the clinical picture: the diagnosis, the treatment history, how the patient responded to adjustments, and the current listing findings. Insurance policy numbers and payment history are administrative and do not guide treatment. Staff notes about the owner's communication style are subjective and belong in internal notes, not a clinical summary. Appointment no-show history may matter to the front desk but does not help the next clinician decide what to do.

Rule to remember: a clinical transfer record carries clinical information first, and leaves out administrative or personal detail.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official material. Read the registration page and the maintaining-certification page so you know the exam format, the scoring rule and the renewal requirement before you study anything else. Then use the practice sets to find your weak spots.

1. Take a short set on anatomy and biomechanics and one on diagnosis and patient assessment. Note every miss and the reason for it.
2. Move to techniques and adjustments, and pair it with gait analysis, since the practical stations cover both canine and equine patients.
3. Cover the professional topics: ethics and legal considerations, documentation and risk management.
4. Return to the sets where you missed the most, and read each explanation before retrying.

Practise out loud for the practical stations, describing what you palpate and why. Written questions alone will not prepare you for that part. Keep a short list of rules you keep forgetting and review it in the final days.

Sources & last verified

1. Animal Chiropractic Certification Commission — passing score, exam fee, retake fee, delivery (official source). “A passing score of 75 must be achieved on both the written and practical examinations.” Verified Oct 22, 2026 · source checked Oct 22, 2026.
2. animalchiropractic.org — validity, renewal (official source). “ACCC/AVCA Certification is issued for a 3 year period, due on or before December 31 of the third year.” Verified Oct 23, 2026 · source checked Oct 23, 2026.
3. animalchiropractic.org — other (official source). “March 17, 2026 SECURITY ALERT: FRAUDULENT EMAIL IMPERSONATING the AVCA” Verified Oct 23, 2026 · source checked Oct 23, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.