31201 Chiropractors

What this occupation covers

Chiropractors assess, diagnose, treat and prevent patients' neuromuscular-skeletal disorders of the spine, nervous system, pelvis and other body joints using corrective manipulation including spinal column adjustments, or other complementary therapies. They are usually in private practice or in clinics with other health practitioners.

Official main duties

The NOC profile lists 8 main duties for this code.

• Conduct patient interviews and take medical histories
• Conduct an examination including postural assessment, range of motion tests, neurological and orthopedic examination, and palpation of joints and soft tissues
• Prescribe and/or perform X-rays and other imaging and tests as required to diagnose patient's condition
• Diagnose neuromuscular-skeletal disorders of the spinal column, pelvis, extremities and associated tissues
• Define and implement a treatment plan including spinal and joint adjustment or manipulations, soft tissue work and/or the use of complementary therapies; such as electrotherapy, acupuncture, heat therapy and massage.
• Communicate and collaborate with other health care professionals
• Advise patients on alternate treatment modalities such as corrective exercises, posture, nutritional and lifestyle counselling, that have positive effects on the spine, joints, muscles and nervous system
• Refer patients to other health care professionals when appropriate.

Do not copy these lines into your reference letter. The letter has to describe what you actually did, in your employer’s words. DUTYPROOF flags wording lifted from the NOC as something to review, and an officer reading a letter that mirrors the NOC reads it the same way.

What DUTYPROOF screens for

This is DUTYPROOF’s screening threshold, not IRCC’s decision. For this NOC, screening requires at least 2 of its 8 official duties to be evidenced in your own words, plus the required letter elements. IRCC asks that you performed the actions in the occupation’s lead statement and a substantial number of its main duties — so treat the duty coverage as the number that matters, not the badge.

Codes this one is confused with

The NOC profile names these itself. Choosing the wrong code of a look-alike pair is the most common way genuine work experience fails to establish eligibility.

• 33109 Other assisting occupations in support of health services

Excluded from this code

• Chiropractic aide (See 33109 Other assisting occupations in support of health services)

Job titles filed under this code

A title on this list does not by itself put your experience in this code — the duties in your letter decide that.

chiropractor · doctor of chiropractic (DC)

Employment requirements

• A minimum of three years of university undergraduate studies or in Quebec, completion of a college diploma in natural science is required.
• Completion of a four or five year program at an Accredited Doctor of Chiropractic Education Programme is required.
• Successful completion of the national examinations by the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board is required to qualify to become licensed by a provincial or territorial body.
• Licensing by a regulatory body is required in all provinces and in Yukon.