Since the foundation of chiropractic in 1895 the profession has established itself in over 40 countries. The National Associations (e.g. German Chiropractic Association) are members of the World Federation of Chiropractic, which maintains an official relationship with the WHO. About 90.000 chiropractors are practicing worldwide, but only around 100 are currently in Germany.
The title „chiropractor“ is obtained by graduating from a university level chiropractic school. The study of chirpractic is regulated by international standards regularly revised by an independent accreditation body. Since there is no internationally recognized chiropractic education institution in Germany, studying chiropractic is only possible abroad. Prerequisite for studying chiropractic is the „Abitur“. Depending on the country and school, the curriculum takes 4 to 6 years. In Germany this is followed by an additional one year "graduate education program" in a qualified chiropractic practice.
This ensures that chiropractors have substantial scientific knowledge and a broad variety of treatment options to address the individual needs of a wide range of patients.
In the USA and Canada a chiropractic student graduates with the degree "Doctor of Chiropractic" (D.C.). In Great Britain the chiropractic student graduates with the degree "Master of Chiropractic" (MChiro).
In contrast to the USA, Canada and many European countries (Great Britain, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway), in Germany chiropractic is not a regulated health profession. For that reason even university trained chiropractors must be licensed by the health practitioner law in addition.
