Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician® (CCSP®)
The CCSP® certification requires post-graduate education in chiropractic sports medicine or a closely related discipline. Licensed doctors of chiropractic who satisfy one of the following, and are able to provide official documentation demonstrating such, are eligible to take the CCSP® examination:
- Completed a minimum of 100 hours of postgraduate education in the Certified Chiropractic Sports Physicians® program at an accredited chiropractic college.
- Possess a current Athletic Trainer Certification (ATC)
- Completed a Master’s of Science (MS) degree at an accredited college in an equivalent program in the domain of sports medicine
- Completed the first year of a sports medicine residency program with an accredited college
All candidates must have completed a post-graduate level hands-on emergency procedures course and a healthcare-provider level CPR certification course with a hands-on component as part of their program or study or in addition to their program. Online CPR courses that do not include a live, practical component are not acceptable. Candidates must provide documentation of successful completion of both courses prior to sitting for the exam. The CPR certification must be valid on the exam date.
Candidates with a current and valid EMT certification may use this certification in lieu of completing the Emergency Procedures course requirement. Candidates must provide proof of current and valid EMT certification to meet this requirement.
Once these requirements are met the doctor may submit application to the ACBSP™ national office to take the CCSP® written exam. The written exam is administered online and consists of 200 multiple-choice questions. The exam is divided into two parts that are given on the same day. The entire exam including the instruction period and mid-exam break is typically scheduled for a five-hour period on a Saturday.
CCSP® certification candidates may attempt the exam up to three (3) times and must pass the exam within three (3) years of the date of completion of the qualifying post-graduate education program (CCSP® or MS program). If the qualifying post-graduate education program is past the three (3) year mark, candidates may take an additional course to refresh their transcript. All courses must be recorded on one (1) transcript then submitted to the national office for approval.
The Board of Directors has approved a groundbreaking proposal allowing DC students in their final year of clinical education to enroll in and complete a CCSP® program prior to graduation. However, these aspiring candidates will be required to complete their chiropractic education and graduate before attempting the CCSP® examination. You must be a licensed doctor of chiropractic in order to sit for the CCSP® examination.
CCSP®
Initial Exam- For licensed doctors attempting the exam for the first time.
CCSP®
Retake Exam- For licensed doctors attempting the exam for a second or third time.
- 10/17/2026 – Exam application documents will be due Monday, 9/14/2026
Exam registration will open approximately 3 months before the exam date. To register for either exam, visit the “Registrations” tab at the top of the page.
- 4/3/2027 – Exam application documents will be due Monday, 3/1/2027
- 10/16/2027 – Exam application documents will be due Monday, 9/13/2027
Registration will open approximately 3 months before the exam date. To register for the exam, visit the “Registrations” tab at the top of the page.
- 4/8/2028 – Exam application documents will be due Monday, 3/6/2028
- 10/14/2028 – Exam application documents will be due Monday, 9/11/2028
Registration will open approximately 3 months before the exam date. To register for the exam, visit the “Registrations” tab at the top of the page.
- A completed online application form and application fee paid in full.
- A copy of your healthcare provider level CPR card, valid through the exam date. Online CPR courses that do not include a live, practical component are not acceptable.
- A copy of your DC license, valid through the exam date.
- The transcript record of the qualifying post-graduate training. Transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing college or certifying body to info@acbsp.com.
- Transcripts must display a post-graduate level hands-on emergency procedures course. Candidates with a current and valid EMT certification may use this certification in lieu of completing the Emergency Procedures course requirement.
- To be eligible for testing, the qualifying education program must have been completed within three (3) years of the scheduled examination(s).