The NUCCA Certification Program
The NUCCA Certification Program is an integral part of Chiropractic education, training, and development. Becoming proficient in all aspects of x-ray positioning, x-ray analysis, biomechanics, patient evaluation, set up, and adjusting are essential to the reduction of the Atlas Subluxation Complex.
NUCCA seminars are correlatively designed to work in harmony with every aspect of the certification process and where a doctor's attendance is strongly recommended. By participating in NUCCA seminars and conferences, a doctor is educated and trained by Board Certified NUCCA doctors in the understanding and application of this technique. The Certification Program is designed to create a powerful and effective coaching environment for the doctor and to help them further develop their skills in the "real world" of their practice. The certification process redefines the doctor's perception of the required accuracy and intricacies of the A.S.C., while honing their skills in the performance of the adjustment.
The NUCCA technique and the Certification Program are often viewed as one of the most difficult and rigorous training programs in Chiropractic. It requires a paradigm shift regarding techniques to understand that it is the complexity of the cervical biomechanics (including regional neurological mechanisms) that are unrelentingly demanding down to the last fraction of a degree. It is being able to effectively apply distinctions developed and taught by NUCCA to the A.S.C. that allow a doctor the easiest, most predictable, and consistent ability to reduce the C-1 subluxation complex.
The NUCCA Certification Program is volitional, requiring the doctor to generate their activity level with regard to the frequency of testing and submissions. While consistent participation is recommended, there is no fixed schedule that a doctor must adhere to while progressing through certification. The advantage to this is that each doctor can grow and develop their skills at a pace that is appropriate to themselves and their practice. The disadvantage is that without imposed completion dates; the doctor must be rigorous in establishing their own structure to maintain optimal progress and development.
The doctors that have completed this program and received Board Certification have gained an uncompromised skill in the understanding and correction of the A.S.C.. Through training, a Certified NUCCA Doctor is better able to address the many subtleties associated to the reduction of the A.S.C., versus the management of illusions based in errors and inaccuracies.
The completion of the NUCCA Certification Program is time and effort well spent for the difference that it can make in the life of the doctor and their patients.
NUCCA Certification Board Requirements
(Revised June 2012)
Level I of Certification Candidate Requirements
An online exam is required. The standards of this level of certification are that the doctor has knowledge and applicable skills in the following areas:
- Understanding of x-ray alignment procedures
- Theory about distortion, magnification and collimation
- Structural identification on x-ray
- X-ray filtration
- Proper x-ray technique and exposures, image quality
- Patient adjusting steps and purpose of the individual steps
- NUCCA Historical perspective
- Use of NUCCA equipment for patient care
- Leg check and Anatometer procedures
- Neurological mechanisms of the cervical region
- Patients positioning for cervical x-rays
A passing grade of 80% is necessary for the online exam.
X-ray requirements for Candidates in Level I
- Four views of alignment films. Format can be found in the NUCCA text book and past monographs. X-ray equipment must be aligned to NUCCA standards to participate in all three levels of certification.
- Five pre-unanalyzed, consecutive sets of patient x-rays demonstrating necessary protocols for patient placement in all three views (Lateral, Nasium, Vertex).
- Two consecutive sets of both pre and post X-rays, demonstrating necessary protocols for patient placement.
Critical points of consideration include proper exposures, the use of the appropriate filters, proper views of structures, (i.e. posterior arch on the nasal view), and minimal distortions (i.e. rotation and location of structure on the x-ray film).
Previously reviewed x-rays may not be resubmitted.
After the first set of five pre films have been approved an additional requirement of two consecutive sets of both pre and post x-rays need to be submitted. This set of pre and post films are used exclusively for the criteria of patient placement used in the first five sets of films. These are not evaluated for analysis or reduction of the subluxation.
Once a doctor has completed and passed the online exam, alignment films, five consecutive pre x-rays, two consecutive pre and post films, they are eligible as a candidate for the second level of the NUCCA Board Certification process.
***The fee for candidates to participate in Level I of Certification is $300.00 (effective January 1, 2007), and must be submitted to NUCCA prior to taking the online exam or submission of x-rays. Once payment is made the NUCCA office will issue a candidate testing username and password along with instructions on how to log onto the testing site. Three exam attempts are allowed per registration fee. Failure to pass the online exam after three attempts will require an additional fee of $50.00 paid to the NUCCA office for a new testing username and password allowing for 2 more attempts.
Level II of Certification Candidate Requirements
An online exam is required. The standards in Level II of Certification are that the doctor has knowledge and applicable skills in the following areas:
- Identifying anatomical structures on x-rays for analysis
- X-ray analysis
- Advanced adjusting steps
- Head piece placement
- Adjusting Biomechanics
- Understanding basic types
- Out of pattern subluxations
A passing grade of 80% is necessary for the online exam.
X-ray requirements for candidates in Level II
- Five consecutive sets of pre x-rays including all the necessary requirements of the Level I series including a complete and accurate analysis.
- Two consecutive sets of pre and post x-rays including all the necessary requirements of the Level I series including a complete and accurate analysis.
Critical points of consideration include identification of all cervical landmarks with appropriate markings, check lines, and listings as per NUCCA protocol.
Previously reviewed x-rays may not be resubmitted.
Once the doctor has passed the first set of five pre x-rays demonstrating consistently correct placement and analysis, an additional requirement of two consecutive pre and post x-rays are necessary. The pre and post x-ray sets are for positioning and analysis only. These x-rays will not be evaluated for the reduction of the subluxation.
Once the doctor has completed and passed the online exam, five consecutive sets of analyzed pre x-rays, two consecutive analyzed sets of pre and post films, they are eligible as a candidate for the third level of the NUCCA Board Certification process.
This is the requirement to start Level III Certification.
***The fee for candidates to participate in Level II of Certification is $500.00 (effective January 1, 2007), and must be sent to NUCCA prior to taking the online exam or submission of films. Once payment is made the NUCCA office will issue a candidate testing username and password along with instructions on how to log onto the testing site. Three exam attempts are allowed per registration fee. Failure to pass the online exam after three attempts will require an additional fee of $50.00 paid to the NUCCA office for a new testing username and password allowing for 2 more attempts.
Level III of Certification Candidate Requirements
The standards of this level of the certification are to bring together all the prior development through Level I and II. The doctor has the opportunity to further refine their x-ray placement and analysis skills while applying this information toward the reduction of the patient's subluxation.
The x-ray submissions of Level III will require the doctor to maintain the same high standard of x-ray positioning and analysis in Levels I and II. Additional requirements are demonstrating a reduction of the subluxation pattern by 80% or better on the post x-ray. The doctor is also responsible to provide biomechanical explanations about the x-rays that are being submitted.
Biomechanical Questions Regarding the Reduction of the C-1 Subluxation
- List the Basic Type of Subluxation and give the characteristics.
- How is laterality produced and why that factor is significant?
- List the resistances encountered and how to overcome them.
- What frontal plain is the lower cervical angular rotation in?
- Explain the type of mastoid support to be used and why?
- What portion of the mastoid or skull (1) (2) (3) or (4): is placed on the mastoid support areas? (A) (B) (C) or (D). Explain why?
- Which headpiece angle will be used in each case?
- Did you change the adjusting vector, and if so why?
- What aspects of the adjustment do you feel you need to be more conscious of for this subluxation?
- Based on your pre and post x-ray findings would you expect the pattern to remain the same or change? Explain.
- Based on your pre and post x-ray findings would you change the headpiece placement or the adjusting vector in order to achieve a higher degree of correction?
- In comparing your pre and post x-rays, do you feel the patient x-ray placement was accurate? If not, explain.
- Based on the pre and post x-ray analysis and the objective findings, when do you think a re pre x-ray is necessary?
The requirements for the submission of consecutive pre and post x-rays for certification review are as follows:
Steps
- 1 set of pre and post x-rays.
- 2 consecutive sets of pre and post x-rays.
- 3 consecutive sets of pre and post x-rays.
- 4 consecutive sets of pre and post x-rays.
- 10 consecutive sets of pre and post x-rays to the NUCCA Certification Board.
At some point through this x-ray submission process, reductions of all four types of subluxation patterns must be demonstrated.
Previously reviewed x-rays may not be resubmitted.
At the completion of this series of x-ray review the doctor will achieve NUCCA Board Certification.
***The fee for candidates to participate in Level III of Certification is $1000.00 (effective January 1, 2007), and must be sent to NUCCA prior to submitting films.
X-ray Submissions for Levels I and II are to be submitted to:
Certification candidates in Level I and Level II can choose one of the following Board Certified doctors to send their x-rays to for review. Once films are submitted do not switch from one reviewer to another.
Dr. John Dunn
Dr. Vince Fitzpatrick
Dr. Tim Flory
Dr. Gordon Hasick
Dr. Johanna Hoeller
Dr. Craig Lapenski
Dr. Steven MacDonald
Dr. David Packer
Dr. Barbara Read
Dr. Deb Sesker
Dr. Jack Stockwell
Dr. Michael Zabelin
X-ray Submissions for Level III can be sent to one of the following Board Certified Doctor:
Dr. Marshall Dickholtz, Jr.
Dr. Gordan Hasick
For the purpose of clarity, efficiency, and courtesy all x-ray submissions for any section of certification should include an enclosed letter indicating a request for review and the exact nature of the submission. Example, "enclosed are five sets of x-rays for level one review from É." Please do not assume because your x-rays show up in a reviewing doctors office they will know who they are from and what they are for. Also, please separate the individual sets; a piece of folded paper and a paperclip work well. The reviewing doctors are giving generously of their time, so remember a please and thank you can go a long way. Included with all submissions must be a self addressed, stamped return envelope.
Certification X-ray submission Deadlines: All x-rays must be in for review two weeks prior to a NUCCA conference. X-ray submissions will not be reviewed at the conference.
Note:
Only graduate doctors are eligible to participate in the certification program. In the event of failure of the examination, or any part thereof, the candidate is re examzined on the part of the examination that is failed without paying an additional fee.
It is advised that a candidate doctor participating in any phase of certification attend a minimum of one NUCCA seminar per year. A doctor who completes a specific level or becomes certified must attend a NUCCA seminar at least once every 3 years to maintain certification in active status. After that time, they will be listed inactive.
Doctors who successfully complete the program and are active, will be eligible to qualify as instructors in the NUCCA procedures.
Listing in the NUCCA directory will be as follows:
As doctors complete levels one and two they will be listed as Certification Candidates having completed that specific level of the certification process. Upon completing the third level, the doctor will be listed as NUCCA Board Certified.
If you have completed Level I or Level II of the certification process or Board Certification prior to the conference you will receive a certificate of completion at the upcoming conference. Doctors not attending the conference will receive their certification via mail.