According to the World Health Organization, becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic requires undergraduate education that follows rigorous standards and lasts at least 5 years. (1)
In Italy, to date, this training path does not yet exist.
Yes, you read that correctly: It is not currently possible to earn a degree in chiropractic in Italy. Those who practice today with the skills and standards required internationally have had to study abroad, at accredited universities and colleges. This is a key point to understand, both for those who dream of pursuing this career and for patients who want to rely on truly qualified hands.
What it really means to study chiropractic
The path to becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) requires an educational commitment comparable to that of a medical degree. It is not a short course, a master's degree or a certificate: it is a master's degree of at least five years with compulsory attendance, at accredited academic institutions according to international standards.
In the United States, for example, the full pathway generally requires a minimum of 7 academic years including at least 3 years of propaedeutic undergraduate studies (with a minimum of 90 semester credits, including 24 in the physical and biological sciences, and a grade point average of at least 3.0 out of 4.0) (2), and then access to a specific program in chiropractic lasting at least 4-5 years.
The curriculum of the “Doctor of Chiropractic Program” must include a minimum of 4,200 hours of training, with subjects ranging from anatomy to physiology, biomechanics to imaging, neurology to nutrition, and of course specific chiropractic techniques. The final years of training also include a supervised clinical internship of at least 1,000 hours with in-depth study of patient management, clinical documentation and research. (3)
In other parts of the world, the course of study in chiropractic goes parallel to the medical degree. In fact, in countries such as Switzerland and Denmark, chiropractic and medical students take the same basic science courses for the first three years before embarking on different clinical practice paths. (4, 5)
Clinical practice: learning in the field
A distinctive element of chiropractic training is the mandatory clinical internship. During the final year of study, students treat real patients under the direct supervision of experienced Doctor Chiropractors. Many programs also include clinical rotations in affiliated health care facilities, such as hospitals and rehabilitation centers.
Only after successful completion of the entire accredited training course including theoretical lectures, laboratories and supervised clinical practice - is the title of Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) conferred.
The importance of accreditation
Ensuring these high training standards are nationally and internationally recognized accreditation bodies.
In the United States of America, there is the Council on Chiropractic Education - USA (CCE-USA) which is authorized by the U.S. Department of Education.
For other universities around the world, there is the Council on Chiropractic Education International (CCEI) that encompasses the other major accreditation bodies.
In Europe, CCEI is represented by the European Council on Chiropractic Education (ECCE). ECCE is a member of the European Association for Quality Assurance of Higher Education (ENQA), an international association founded in 2000 that brings together European quality assurance agencies in the European Higher Education Area. ENQA promotes the continuous improvement of quality standards in higher education in Europe by providing guidelines, support and independent evaluations.
To get an idea of the importance of recognition by ENQA, it is necessary to point out that in Italy the National Agency for the Evaluation of the University System and Research is part of it (ANVUR), a public body supervised by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR).
Standards equivalent to medical training
In Europe it is required, as a minimum standard, that all accredited European chiropractic universities to provide a degree equivalent as a minimum to a “Masters degree level 7” in the European Qualification Framework. (6)
In the Italian educational system this corresponds to a single-cycle master's degree, such as that in medicine. (7, 8)
What about in Italy? The chiropractic degree does not exist
This is the crucial point that every patient and every aspiring chiropractor needs to know: To date, there is no recognized or accredited chiropractic degree program in Italy.
Chiropractic as a discipline is recognized by the Italian state by no less than two laws, but the regulatory framework regarding the professional figure of the chiropractor is still being defined. This means that there is no Italian university pathway that trains Doctors in Chiropractic according to international standards.
Those who want to enter this profession seriously and competently must therefore study abroad at one of the universities or colleges accredited by the CCE-US or by one of the entities that are part of the CCEI.
Warning: Unfortunately, in Italy, given the lack of regulation of the profession, there are realities that offer courses or “degrees” in chiropractic that are independent or associated with unaccredited foreign universities. These degrees have no recognition (neither in Italy nor in countries where chiropractic is regulated) and do not guarantee the preparation necessary to practice the profession safely.
The Italian Chiropractic Association (AIC) warns the public and aspiring professionals against these misleading offers.
Where to study chiropractic: options for Italians
The good news is that chiropractic training opportunities around the world are plentiful. Here is an overview of the top destinations:
In Europe
Europe currently has as many as 11 accredited training programs, a particularly advantageous choice for Italian students due to geographic and cultural proximity:
- England: Health Sciences University (Bournemouth), McTimoney College (locations in Abingdon and Manchester), University of South Wales (Pontypridd), London South Bank University (London)
- France: Institut Franco-Européen de Chiropraxie - IFEC (branches in Paris/Ivry-sur-Seine and Toulouse)
- Spain: Barcelona College of Chiropractic, McTimoney College (Madrid)
- Denmark: University of Southern Denmark (Odense)
- Switzerland: University of Zurich (Zurich)
In the United States and Canada
The United States is the birthplace of chiropractic, with 18 CCE-USA-accredited institutions including such historic names as Palmer College of Chiropractic (Davenport, Iowa-considered the “source” of chiropractic), Life University (Atlanta), Parker University (Dallas), and the National University of Health Sciences (Lombard, Illinois). In Canada, the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (Toronto) and the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières offer chiropractic training of excellence.
In the rest of the world
Accredited programs are also available in Australia (RMIT University, Macquarie University, Murdoch University, Central Queensland University, Victoria University, Australia Chiropractic College), New Zealand (New Zealand College of Chiropractic), South Africa (Durban University of Technology, University of Johannesburg), Japan, Malaysia.
The role of the AIC: quality assurance for the patient
The Italian Chiropractic Association brings together. Exclusively Doctor of Chiropractic graduates according to international standards.
This is a key safeguard for patients: choosing an AIC-registered chiropractor means trusting a professional who has completed rigorous and globally recognized training.
In a context in which the Italian regulatory framework is still evolving, the AIC plays an essential role in distinguishing qualified professionals from the many unqualified practitioners in the territory, and in countering the phenomenon of false degrees issued by unaccredited bodies.
Getting your bearings: tips for patients and future chiropractors
For patients:
- Check that he is registered with the AIC-it is a guarantee of proper training.
- If he or she is not an AIC member, always ask your chiropractor where he or she received his or her degree and verify that the institute is accredited by the CCE-USA or one of the CCEI member bodies.
- Be wary of those who present themselves as “chiropractors” without having completed a full, accredited college course.
For those who want to become chiropractors:
- Find out about accredited universities by checking the AIC website under “Where to Study Chiropractic.”.
- Get ready for a challenging but rewarding journey: chiropractic is a recognized health profession in more than 100 countries around the world.
- Don't be lured by shortcuts: short courses or unaccredited degrees will not make you a chiropractor and can put patients' health at risk.
AIC's commitment to the future
The AIC is committed to the completion of the regulatory process in Italy with a clear definition of the competencies and training pathway so that Italy, too, can one day offer a chiropractic degree pathway that conforms to international standards and is fully integrated into the national university system.
Until then, we will continue to inform, guide and protect both professionals and patients, promoting educational excellence as a fundamental pillar of the profession.
Because quality training is not an optional extra: it is the very foundation of clinical safety, therapeutic efficacy and public health protection.
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Want to learn more about chiropractic training? Visit the dedicated pages on our website:
Find an AIC-qualified chiropractor in your area: Find Chiropractor
- WHO guidelines on basic training and safety in chiropractic. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2005.)
- https://www.chirocolleges.org/students/study-chiropractic/
- Council on Chiropractic Education - US Standard Guidance for the 2025 CCE Accreditation Standards -. https://www.cce-usa.org/uploads/1/0/6/5/106500339/2025-01-01_dcp_standards_guidance.pdf
- Chapman-Smith D, The Chiropractic Profession, 2001, The Chiropractic Report, vol 15 n 6
- Humphreys BK, Peterson CK. The Swiss Master's in Chiropractic Medicine Curriculum: Preparing Graduates to Work Together With Medicine to Improve Patient Care. J Chiropr Humanit. 2016;23(1):53-60. Published 2016 Oct 11. doi:10.1016/j.echu.2016.09.001
- ECCE, Accreditation Procedures and Standards in first qualification chiropractic education and training. Version 5.3. Nov 2019. https://www.cce-europe.org/sdm_downloads/appendix-2-accreditation-procedures-and-standards-5-3-november-2019-aachen/
- https://www.almalaurea.it/guida-chi-studia/sistema-universitario
- Gil A. (et al.), 2021, Chiropractic: for healthy body and mind, Castello Publisher
Italian Chiropractic Association
www.chiropratica.it