ICPA 180 Hour Certification Program (C.A.C.C.P.)

Part One of the ICPA Diplomate

Achieving Certification Status

With the 180 Hour Certification Program (C.A.C.C.P.), the ICPA has raised the bar for chiropractic academic standards. Attendees of the 180-hour program will experience the renowned, hands-on ICPA certification curriculum.

The C.A.C.C.P. is also the initial 180-hour prerequisite to go on to Diplomate status. All doctors who have any interest in going onto Diplomate status must complete the C.A.C.C.P. to pursue this option.

If you have the ICPA previous 120-hour certification (F.I.C.P.A.) and wish to grandfather in to the C.A.C.C.P., please read the grandfathering clause.

The C.A.C.C.P. consists of 168 classroom hours, participation in one ICPA Practiced Based Research Network (PBRN) study (12 hours), and finally a comprehensive take home exam. Classroom hours are on-site. Doctors who initiate the classes for C.A.C.C.P. are also eligible to begin the remaining requirements for the Diplomate concurrently.

After successfully passing your comprehensive take home exam, you will receive your certification from the Academy of Chiropractic Family Practice and the Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics (C.A.C.C.P.). To read about the Academy please read here: Academy of Chiropractic Family Practice

Read about the Diplomate Part Two: 360 Hour Diplomate Program D.A.C.C.P.)

180 Hour Certification Program (C.A.C.C.P.) Requirements

Currently, the C.A.C.C.P. has a comprehensive take-home essay exam. The exam is written and evaluated by the Academy of Chiropractic Family Practice, an independent academic board of examiners.

C.A.C.C.P. Requirements:

  1. Complete all 168 core curriculum classroom hours.
  2. Be a licensed D.C. with current malpractice insurance.
  3. Have current D.C. membership status with the ICPA.
  4. Recieve a passing score on the final C.A.C.C.P. exam.
  5. Complete the required 12 patient quota for the current ICPA PBRN study.

C.A.C.C.P. Exam Requirements:

  1. Complete all 168 core curriculum classroom hours.
  2. Be a licensed D.C. with current malpractice insurance.
  3. Have current D.C. membership status with the ICPA.
  4. Be in good financial standing for all ICPA courses.
  5. Apply and pay for the final certification exam fee. (This fee is charged by the Academy of Chiropractic Family Practice).
  6. Register for the ICPA Practice Based Research Network (PBRN)*.

Academy Board Certification Status:
Upon successful completion of the above requirements, C.A.C.C.P. candidates will be issued Certification from the Academy of Chiropractic Family Practice for having completed the ICPA Certification Course. The initials after the graduates names are: C.A.C.C.P. standing for: Certification from the Academy Council of Chiropractic Pediatrics.

Upon applying to the 180 Hour Certification Program, you are agreeing to the terms of the C.A.C.C.P. Please view the 180 Hour Certification Agreement here: 180 Hour Certification Rules for Participation and Agreement for Certificate Status

Frequently Asked Questions about the C.A.C.C.P.:
Click here for answers to frequently asked questions.

Grand-fathering Clause for 120-hour proficiency certification (F.I.C.P.A.):

  1. All candidates who have achieved F.I.C.P.A. Proficiency are eligible and encouraged to continue on to achieve Certification status by fulfilling the remaining 180 Hour Certification requirements.
  2. Only candidates who have initiated and/or successfully completed all 120 hour classes in 2005-2006 may still pursue F.I.C.P.A. status in accordance with their completion of the 120 hour proficiency requirements by the year 2006.
  3. The previous 120 hour proficiency certificate program (F.I.C.P.A.) is still recognized by the ICPA with current membership.
  4. All Candidates who have taken some, but not all classes in our previous Years One, Two or Three will be individually reviewed for current Certification status and their eligibility to move on to Diplomate requirements will be determined on a case by case basis. Please e-mail the ICPA office at info@icpa4kids.com.
  5. All Candidates who have successfully completed and been awarded F.I.C.P.A. Proficiency, have completed all of the previous Year Two requirements, successfully passed the Year Two final exam will be reviewed on a case by case basis for eligibility towards Board Certification and Diplomate status.
  6. Candidates taking the 120 hour test are given only one opportunity. If their score falls below an 85%, they will be required to take the remaining modules of the 180 hour certification and proceed to 180 hour certification status.
  7. F.I.C.P.A. is not to be advertised or interpreted as fellowship to the I. C.P.A., it is a Certificate of Proficiency in Pediatrics.
  8. As with all certificates from the I. C.P.A., certifications are only considered valid with on-going membership to the I. C.P.A. Advertising certifications without continued membership is not considered accurate.
  9. It is now necessary to complete the 180 hour certification, and its final exam to be eligible to go on to the Diplomate program. All 120 hour candidates are strongly encouraged to grandfather in their 120 hour proficiency at this time (2006-2008) towards 180 hour certification or forfeit the opportunity to apply these classes in the future.