100+ Free CCEB Component C Practice Questions

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CCEB Component A — Written MCQ Examination (Canada)

Practice Questions100 questions

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CCEB Component C Exam

CAD $3,350

Clinical OSCE examination fee

cceb.ca/fees

Active clinical OSCE stations

CCEB Candidate Handbook 2025

25%

Orthopedic & Neurologic exam weight

CCEB Exam Blueprint

CCEB Component C / Clinical OSCE tests chiropractic clinical competence across 6 domains: history taking (20%), orthopedic/neurologic exam (25%), diagnostic imaging (15%), adjustment technique (20%), patient management (10%), and safety/ethics (10%). Exam fee CAD $3,350 (2026 CCEB specifications).

Sample CCEB Component C Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CCEB Component C exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A 45-year-old male presents for a chiropractic consultation with acute lower back pain radiating down the posterior right leg to the big toe. During history taking, which red-flag symptom requires immediate emergency medical evaluation for Cauda Equina Syndrome?

A.New-onset urinary retention or saddle anesthesia (numbness in the perineal/groin region)

B.Increased pain when coughing or sneezing

C.Morning stiffness lasting 15 minutes

D.Pain relieved by lying down with knees flexed

Explanation: Saddle anesthesia, urinary retention or fecal incontinence, and bilateral lower extremity neurological deficits are hallmark red-flag symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome, requiring emergency surgical decompression.

2A 68-year-old female presents with deep, boring nocturnal thoracic spine pain uninfluenced by position or movement. She reports an unexplained 15-pound weight loss over the past 2 months and a history of breast cancer. What is the primary diagnostic concern?

A.Spinal metastatic bone lesion

B.Thoracic disc herniation

C.Postural thoracic hyperkyphosis

D.Intercostal neuralgia

Explanation: Constant, deep, non-mechanical night pain in a patient over 50 with unexplained weight loss and a past cancer history strongly raises suspicion for spinal bone metastasis.

3During an OSCE history-taking station, how should a candidate structure the exploration of a patient's chief complaint of musculoskeletal pain?

A.Use the OPQRST mnemonic (Onset, Provocation/Palliative, Quality, Radiation, Severity, Timing) followed by red-flag screening

B.Ask only yes/no questions about medical insurance coverage

C.Skip the history and proceed immediately to spinal adjustments

D.Perform a 30-minute psychiatric inventory

Explanation: The OPQRST framework systematically gathers essential pain characteristics (Onset, Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Radiation, Severity, Timing) essential for differential diagnosis.

4A 28-year-old female presents with neck stiffness and headache following a motor vehicle collision 2 days ago. What constitutional symptom during history taking warrants investigation for upper cervical ligamentous instability?

A.Feeling of head heaviness, dizziness, nausea, lip paresthesia, or a clunking sensation during neck flexion

B.Mild localized trapezius soreness

C.Unilateral temporal headache relieved by acetaminophen

D.Increased appetite

Explanation: Upper cervical instability (e.g., transverse ligament laxity/rupture) presents with lump in throat, lip paresthesia, dizziness, head heaviness, or severe occipital pain during neck flexion.

5A 55-year-old male smoker with hypertension reports calf pain when walking two blocks that is promptly relieved by 5 minutes of standing still. What condition is suggested by this history?

A.Peripheral Artery Disease causing vascular claudication

B.Lumbar spinal stenosis causing neurogenic claudication

C.Plantar fasciitis

D.Achilles tendonitis

Explanation: Vascular claudication is pain induced by walking a fixed distance and rapidly relieved by standing still. Neurogenic claudication is relieved by spinal flexion (sitting or leaning forward), not standing.

6What history finding distinguishes neurogenic claudication (lumbar spinal stenosis) from vascular claudication?

A.Symptoms are relieved by sitting or bending forward (shopping cart sign) and exacerbated by lumbar extension

B.Symptoms are relieved immediately by standing upright

C.Pain is absent when walking downhill

D.Pedal pulses are absent or diminished

Explanation: Lumbar flexion increases spinal canal diameter, relieving neurogenic claudication symptoms. Patients often lean on shopping carts to maintain flexion while walking.

7A 19-year-old university student presents with gradual-onset low back and buttock stiffness for 6 months that is worst in the morning (lasting >1 hour) and improves with exercise. What condition should be investigated?

A.Ankylosing Spondylitis (Inflammatory Spondyloarthritis)

B.Lumbar disc herniation

C.Acute lumbar muscle strain

D.Degenerative disc disease

Explanation: Inflammatory back pain (onset <40 years, insidious duration >3 months, morning stiffness >30–60 min, improvement with exercise, no relief with rest) is the hallmark of Ankylosing Spondylitis.

8What red-flag history feature warrants immediate imaging and medical evaluation for spinal infection (e.g., vertebral osteomyelitis or epidural abscess)?

A.Fever, chills, recent IV drug use, recent spinal procedure, or immunosuppression combined with localized severe spinal pain

B.Mild ache after heavy lifting

C.Pain relieved by massage

D.Stiffness after sitting for 20 minutes

Explanation: Spinal infection risk factors include fever/chills, IV drug use, immunosuppression, or recent invasive spinal/dental procedures coupled with localized severe tenderness.

9When taking a history for shoulder pain, a patient reports pain when reaching overhead between 60 and 120 degrees of abduction. What condition is suggested by this 'painful arc'?

A.Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy)

B.Acromioclavicular (AC) joint osteoarthritis

C.Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder)

D.Anterior Glenohumeral Instability

Explanation: A painful arc between 60–120 degrees of active abduction indicates subacromial impingement, where the supraspinatus tendon compresses beneath the coracoacromial arch.

10A 35-year-old pregnant female (32 weeks gestation) reports posterior pelvic pain radiating to the buttocks, exacerbated by walking and turning in bed. What condition should be prioritized in differential diagnosis?

A.Pregnancy-related Pelvic Girdle Pain / Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

B.Acute lumbar epidural hematoma

C.Renal cell carcinoma

D.Cauda equina syndrome

Explanation: Hormonal laxity (relaxin) and altered biomechanics during late pregnancy commonly cause pelvic girdle pain and sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

About the CCEB Component C Exam

CCEB Component C (Clinical OSCE Examination) assesses entry-level chiropractic clinical competencies. Candidates rotate through active OSCE stations evaluating clinical history taking, physical examination, spinal X-ray interpretation, adjustment setup, active rehabilitation, and patient safety/ethics.

Assessment

Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) evaluating history taking, physical/orthopedic examination, radiographic interpretation, spinal manipulation technique, and safety in timed station scenarios.

Time Limit

Approximately 2.5 hours (station rotation format)

Passing Score

CCEB standard setting cut-score

Exam Fee

CAD $3,350 Clinical OSCE examination fee (confirm on cceb.ca/fees) (Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board (CCEB))

CCEB Component C Exam Content Outline

25%

Physical, Orthopedic & Neurological Examination

Orthopedic tests (spinal and peripheral), neurological screening, dermatomes, myotomes, and reflexes.

20%

History Taking & Clinical Communication

NMS history taking, red flag screening, pain assessment, and patient communication.

20%

Chiropractic Technique & Spinal Manipulation

HVLA adjustment setup, contacts, line of drive, vectors, and contraindications.

15%

Diagnostic Imaging & Clinical Radiography

Spinal radiographic interpretation, pathology identification, and imaging safety.

10%

Patient Management & Active Rehabilitation

Evidence-informed care plans, rehab exercises, ergonomics, and interprofessional care.

10%

Patient Safety, Ethics & Professional Responsibility

VAD screening, informed consent, emergency referral, and professional boundaries.

How to Pass the CCEB Component C Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: CCEB standard setting cut-score
Assessment: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) evaluating history taking, physical/orthopedic examination, radiographic interpretation, spinal manipulation technique, and safety in timed station scenarios.
Time limit: Approximately 2.5 hours (station rotation format)
Exam fee: CAD $3,350 Clinical OSCE examination fee (confirm on cceb.ca/fees)

Keys to Passing

Work through all 100 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CCEB Component C Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the specific diagnostic criteria and positive findings for key orthopedic tests (e.g., Kemp's, Straight Leg Raise, Thomas test, Spurling's test, Empty Can test).

2Review cervical spine vascular safety protocols, including screening for Vertebral Artery Dissection (VAD) signs and symptoms (5 D's and 3 N's).

3Practice lines of drive (LOD), contacts, and patient positioning for diversified cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacroiliac adjustments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CCEB Component C?

Component C (now administered as the CCEB Clinical Examination / OSCE) is the practical clinical examination required by the Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board for provincial chiropractic licensure.

What clinical stations are included in the CCEB OSCE?

The exam features 12 active stations testing history taking, physical examination, orthopedic and neurological testing, diagnostic imaging interpretation, spinal manipulation setup, and patient management/ethics.

What does the CCEB Clinical Examination cost?

The Clinical OSCE examination fee is CAD $3,350, as published on cceb.ca/fees.