Chiropractors must be graduates of an accredited chiropractic college (there are 18 in the United States) and receive both academic and hands-on training. Like other primary health care doctors, chiropractic students spend a significant portion of their curriculum studying clinical subjects related to evaluating and caring for patients. Typically, as part of their professional training, they must complete a minimum of a one-year clinical-based program dealing with actual patient care. In total, the curriculum includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience. The course of study is approved by an accrediting agency that is fully recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Before they are allowed to practice, doctors of chiropractic must pass national board examinations and become state-licensed. Chiropractic colleges also offer post-graduate continuing education programs in specialty fields ranging from sports injuries and occupational health to orthopedics and neurology. These programs allow chiropractors to specialize in a health care discipline or meet state relicensure requirements.The public may contact the licensing board (the name of the licensing board may be slightly different in your state) in each state jurisdiction to determine the status of the doctor's license. Also, the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards maintains an on-line, international databank that carries information on public actions by chiropractic regulatory agencies.