NBCE Policies and Standards 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which organization maintains the Chiropractic Licensing Examination (CLE) score database used by state licensing boards?
- American Chiropractic Association
- NBCE
- Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB) (Correct answer)
- Council on Chiropractic Education
Correct answer: Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB)
The FCLB maintains the CLE score database (also known as FCLB Portability) that allows state boards to verify NBCE scores.
Question 2: NBCE's testing accommodations policy is designed to comply with which federal law?
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (Correct answer)
- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
- Rehabilitation Act Section 504 only
Correct answer: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
NBCE accommodation policies are designed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, ensuring equal access for candidates with documented disabilities.
Question 3: A candidate caught using unauthorized notes during an NBCE exam faces which consequence under exam security policy?
- A 5-point score deduction per infraction
- Score cancellation and possible permanent disqualification (Correct answer)
- Mandatory re-examination at next available sitting
- A written warning on first offense only
Correct answer: Score cancellation and possible permanent disqualification
Confirmed cheating results in score cancellation, and the NBCE may impose permanent disqualification from future examinations.
Question 4: NBCE Part I covers basic science subjects. Which policy governs the order in which Parts must be taken?
- Parts I and II must be passed before attempting Part III (Correct answer)
- No mandatory sequencing; any Part may be taken in any order
- Parts must be taken in sequential order I, II, III, IV
- Part IV must be taken last, all others are open
Correct answer: Parts I and II must be passed before attempting Part III
NBCE policy requires that Parts I and II be passed before a candidate is eligible to sit for Part III.
Question 5: NBCE examination fees are:
- Fully refundable if the candidate cancels 72 hours in advance
- Non-refundable but may be applied to a future exam date within one year (Correct answer)
- Refundable only with a physician's note for medical emergencies
- Transferable to another candidate
Correct answer: Non-refundable but may be applied to a future exam date within one year
NBCE fees are non-refundable; however, in some cases candidates may defer to a future administration within the allowed window.
Question 6: According to NBCE policy, candidates must submit applications by which deadline relative to the exam date?
- 2 weeks before
- 30 days before
- The deadline set in the NBCE testing calendar (typically 6–8 weeks before) (Correct answer)
- The day of the exam
Correct answer: The deadline set in the NBCE testing calendar (typically 6–8 weeks before)
NBCE publishes an annual testing calendar with application deadlines that typically fall 6–8 weeks before the exam administration date.
Question 7: NBCE uses which type of scoring model to ensure fairness across different exam administrations?
- Raw percent-correct scoring
- Criterion-referenced scaled scoring with equating (Correct answer)
- Norm-referenced bell-curve grading
- Holistic rubric scoring
Correct answer: Criterion-referenced scaled scoring with equating
NBCE uses criterion-referenced scaled scoring with statistical equating, so the passing standard remains consistent across different test forms.
NBCE Policies and Standards 3
Which organization maintains the Chiropractic Licensing Examination (CLE) score database used by state licensing boards?