Special Purposes Examination for Chiropractic (SPEC)

Why a Special Purposes Exam for Chiropractic? Licensing Boards Routinely Encounter Situations in Which They Must Reevaluate Previously Licensed DCs. The NBCE Developed SPEC at the Request of the Member Boards of the FCLB to Meet Assessment Needs in Limited and Specific Circumstances.

Why a Special Purposes Exam for Chiropractic? State Licensing Boards Have a Need for an Independent Assessment of Competency of Individuals Seeking Reciprocity or Endorsement. State Licensing Boards Have a Need to Evaluate the Competency of Individuals Seeking Reinstatement of Their License After Suspension, Revocation, or Lapse.

WHAT SPEC IS NOT The Special Purposes Examination is NOT: –An Initial Licensing Examination –An Exam to Demonstrate Continuing Competency for Those in Good Standing or Those Not Seeking Reciprocity or Endorsement

WHAT SPEC IS NOT SPEC is NOT a License Renewal Examination!!

Press Release The NBCE has not been asked to develop, nor is the NBCE planning to develop, an examination designed for routine license renewal. Anything you may have heard to the contrary is incorrect!

SPEC Eligibility The Special Purposes Exam is ONLY Administered to Individuals Who Have: –Authorization From a Licensing Board to Take It –Previously Held a License For a Minimum of Two Years

SPEC is Computerized The Special Purposes Examination is Administered Six Times per Year on the 3rd Thursday of: Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct & Dec. It is Delivered at over 350 Sylvan/ Prometric Secure Testing Centers Nationwide. Scores are Reported Within Three Weeks.

SPEC is Computerized Comments From the First Doctors to Take the Computerized Version –“This was my first time ever at a computer. It was the best test I ever took as far as quality, ease of taking, and understanding what you wanted.” –“Very good - and I’m not a super computer guy.” –“I took it in September paper and pencil, this was much more pleasant.”

SPEC is Computerized Comments From the First Doctors to Take the Computerized Version –“It was applicable to day-to-day practice.” –“Great to not have to travel” –“I liked the exhibits” –“The Prometric staff was excellent.” –“The facility was good.” –“I was well watched and proctored.” –“Prometric did a good job. Comfortable”

SPEC is Computerized SPEC Applications and Information are Available at or call (NBCE)

How SPEC is Written Many Questions are Written by State Board Members; All of the Questions on the Special Purposes Examination are Chosen by a Test Committee Comprised of State Board Members. Committees are Selected From All States on a Rotating Basis.

SPEC Specifications 200 Multiple Choice Questions –100 questions address nine areas of clinical knowledge weighted in accordance with the outcome of the NBCE Job Analysis. –100 questions are grouped into 25 case management scenarios each having 4 questions. These are also weighted according to the Job Analysis results.

SPEC Reliability The Reliability Index of SPEC Examinations Averages.92 Out of a Possible 1.00 This Indicates That the Exam Consistently Assesses Competency in Chiropractic Practice It Also Implies That the Questions are Well Written

States’ Utilization of SPEC 37 States Have Utilized SPEC as of February, 2002 More Than 2/3 of SPEC Utilization Has Been for Reciprocity or Endorsement With SPECs Increased Availability and With the Acceptance of Part IV by Most States, We Expect More Utlilization of SPEC for License Reinstatement in Cases of Disciplinary Action or Lapse

States’ Utilization of the SPEC Biggest Users of SPEC –Utah - 48 –Maryland - 40 –Nevada - 30 –Washington - 24 –Tennessee - 16 –Illinois - 15 –Virginia - 14 –Wisconsin - 13 –California - 13

In Closing SPEC is a Widely Available, Valid, Reliable, and Defensible Tool That You, As a State Board Member Charged With Protecting the Public, Have at your Disposal. You May Use SPEC to Help You Evaluate Individual DCs. Seeking Reciprocity/Endorsement or License Reinstatement.