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Key Facts: DACRB Exam

DACRB requires 138 seminar hours: 45 spine, 45 extremities, 48 rehab electives.

Full program fee is $1,499 with tiered reductions for previously passed legacy levels.

Annual recertification fee is $135 with conference attendance required every other year.

Eligibility requires a chiropractic license OR diploma from a CCE-approved school; students are not eligible.

Two online multiple-choice exams plus one oral practical replace the legacy Level 1/2/3 sequence.

Candidates have up to three attempts to pass each online exam.

ACRB requires the free McKenzie Method overview course before sitting for exams.

The 2026 oral practical examination cohort is scheduled for May 16, 2026 per ACRB.

DACRB is a diplomate-level chiropractic rehabilitation credential issued by the American Chiropractic Rehabilitation Board. Candidates complete 138 seminar hours (45 spine, 45 extremity, 48 elective), the free McKenzie Method overview course, two multiple-choice online exams, and an oral practical exam. The full program fee is $1,499 with tiered reductions for previously passed levels and $135 annual recertification.

Sample DACRB Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the DACRB exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which principle of exercise prescription states that adaptations are specific to the type of training stimulus applied?

A.Specificity (SAID - Specific Adaptations to Imposed Demands)

B.Reversibility

C.Individualization

D.Progressive overload

Explanation: The SAID principle (Specific Adaptations to Imposed Demands) states that the body adapts to the specific demands placed on it. Training for endurance produces aerobic adaptations; heavy resistance training produces strength/hypertrophy. SAID is foundational to rehab exercise selection and return-to-sport planning.

2Per ACSM, the FITT principle for exercise prescription stands for:

A.Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type

B.Force, Impulse, Tempo, Tension

C.Function, Independence, Training, Tracking

D.Form, Intensity, Technique, Timing

Explanation: ACSM defines FITT as Frequency (sessions/week), Intensity (e.g., %1RM, %HRmax, RPE), Time (duration), and Type (mode). FITT-VP adds Volume and Progression. Clear FITT prescriptions improve adherence and reproducibility.

3Per ACSM guidelines, the recommended resistance training intensity for general muscular strength in healthy adults is approximately:

A.20-30% 1RM

B.40-50% 1RM

C.60-80% 1RM (or 8-12 reps to volitional fatigue)

D.>95% 1RM weekly

Explanation: ACSM recommends 60-80% 1RM (about 8-12 repetitions) for muscular strength and hypertrophy in healthy adults. Older adults often start at 40-50% 1RM. Loads >95% 1RM are reserved for advanced lifters and not typical rehab progressions.

4Which is the BEST description of the ICF model used in rehabilitation?

A.A medical billing classification

B.A biopsychosocial framework with Body Functions/Structures, Activities, Participation, plus Personal and Environmental factors

C.A purely physical exam tool

D.A drug classification system

Explanation: The WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) frames patient status across body functions/structures, activities, and participation, modified by personal and environmental factors. APTA and other rehab bodies use it to structure assessment and treatment planning.

5Which outcome measure is BEST for assessing disability in chronic low back pain?

A.Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)

B.Neck Disability Index (NDI)

C.DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand)

D.Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS)

Explanation: The ODI is the most validated condition-specific tool for chronic LBP disability. Scores 0-20% = minimal, 21-40% = moderate, 41-60% = severe, 61-80% = crippled, 81-100% = bed-bound or exaggerating. MCID for chronic LBP is roughly 10 points.

6Which outcome measure is BEST for assessing neck-related disability?

A.ODI

B.NDI (Neck Disability Index)

C.DASH

D.FABQ

Explanation: The NDI is the most widely validated measure of neck-related disability. The score is reported as a percentage with MCID around 5-10%. Cut points are similar to the ODI bands but applied to cervical function.

7Which is the BEST description of the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS)?

A.A 0-10 pain scale

B.A patient-identified activity-limitation measure scored 0-10 per activity, useful for tracking individualized goals

C.A region-specific disability index

D.A balance assessment

Explanation: The PSFS lets patients nominate 3-5 important activities they struggle with and rate each on a 0-10 scale (0 unable, 10 prior level). It is sensitive to change for individualized goals, with an MCID of about 2 points per activity and 1.3-2 points for average score.

8Which classification system is BEST associated with McKenzie Method (MDT) assessment of mechanical pain?

A.Postural, dysfunction, and derangement syndromes

B.Red, yellow, and green flag categories

C.Stages of change

D.Mulligan SNAGs only

Explanation: MDT classifies mechanical pain into postural, dysfunction, and derangement syndromes (and 'OTHER'). Treatment is guided by repeated end-range movements and directional preference, with derangement most amenable to rapid centralization.

9A patient with acute low back pain demonstrates centralization with repeated lumbar extension. Per MDT, the BEST intervention is:

A.Avoid all lumbar movement

B.Prescribe repeated end-range extension exercises and posture correction in the direction of preference

C.Begin bilateral SI joint manipulation only

D.Bed rest for 1 week

Explanation: Centralization (pain moving toward midline with repeated end-range movements) is a positive prognostic sign in MDT. Prescribing exercises in the direction of preference, often press-ups for extension responders, is core to MDT and supported by CPGs for non-specific LBP.

10Which of the following is a clinical RED FLAG that should prompt urgent referral and imaging in a patient with low back pain?

A.Pain >24 hours with normal neurologic exam

B.Saddle anesthesia, bowel/bladder dysfunction, bilateral leg weakness

C.Pain reproduced with seated forward flexion

D.Single-leg neural tension test positive at 60 degrees

Explanation: Saddle anesthesia, bowel/bladder dysfunction, and bilateral lower-extremity weakness suggest cauda equina syndrome, a surgical emergency requiring immediate referral and imaging. Other red flags include night pain unrelieved by position, unintentional weight loss, fever, history of cancer, IV drug use, and major trauma.

About the DACRB Exam

The DACRB credential recognizes chiropractors with advanced expertise in physical rehabilitation across spine, extremity, and elective rehab domains. The current program requires 45 spine + 45 extremity + 48 elective seminar hours, a free McKenzie Method overview course, two online written exams (assessment and patient care/management), and an oral practical examination.

Exam sponsor: American Chiropractic Rehabilitation Board (ACRB). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

100 questions

Time Limit

Two online multiple-choice exams plus a scheduled oral practical (length set by ACRB per cohort)

Passing Score

Criterion-referenced; up to 3 attempts per online exam

Exam / Certification Fees

$1,499 full program (with $1,199 / $899 / $750 tiers based on previously passed levels)

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not published. ACRB does not publish per-cycle pass rates Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

Spine block

Spine Rehabilitation

Cervical/thoracic/lumbar rehab, McKenzie MDT classification, motor control retraining, dynamic stabilization, evidence-based CPGs for LBP, neck pain, radiculopathy

Extremity block

Extremity Rehabilitation

Rotator cuff and scapulothoracic, AC joint, elbow (epicondylopathy), wrist/hand, hip (FAI, gluteal), knee (ACL/meniscus/PFPS), ankle and foot rehab

Elective block

Rehab Electives

Vestibular and post-concussion rehab, ergonomics and workplace, geriatric and pediatric considerations, return-to-sport, modalities (US, e-stim, traction)

Online Exam 1

Assessment & Outcome Measures

ICF framework, region-specific outcome measures (ODI, NDI, PSFS, LEFS, DASH/QuickDASH, FABQ), test-retest reliability, MCID/MDC interpretation

Online Exam 2

Patient Care & Management

Exercise prescription (FITT, motor learning principles, progression), CPG-aligned plans of care, modality selection, behavior change, return-to-work/sport

Oral Practical

Integrated Case Examination

Live oral exam integrating history, exam, evaluation, diagnosis, rehab plan, and safety judgment across complex spine and extremity scenarios

Preparing for the DACRB Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Criterion-referenced; up to 3 attempts per online exam
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: Two online multiple-choice exams plus a scheduled oral practical (length set by ACRB per cohort)
Exam / certification fees: $1,499 full program (with $1,199 / $899 / $750 tiers based on previously passed levels) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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DACRB: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master McKenzie MDT classification (derangement, dysfunction, postural) and the directional preference logic before the spine exam

2Drill outcome measure cutoffs: ODI bands (minimal/moderate/severe/crippled), NDI bands, MCID/MDC for PSFS, NPRS

3Memorize FITT principles and the dosing differences for strength (>=70% 1RM, 6-12 reps), hypertrophy (8-12 reps), and endurance (<60% 1RM, 15+ reps)

4Practice CPG-aligned LBP and neck pain plans (NICE, APTA, Bone & Joint Decade) - know when to add manipulation, exercise, or education

5Review motor control retraining for the deep neck flexors and lumbopelvic stabilizers (TrA, multifidus, pelvic floor)

6Study return-to-sport criteria: limb symmetry index (>=90%), hop test batteries, ACL RTS timelines and risk-stratification

7Know vestibular and post-concussion screening basics: VOR, gaze stabilization, BPPV maneuvers, sub-symptom threshold aerobic training

8Prepare for the oral practical by talking through cases out loud: history -> exam -> hypothesis -> plan -> safety check

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DACRB exam structure?

The current ACRB program consists of two online multiple-choice exams (assessment and patient care/management) and one oral practical examination. The board no longer administers the legacy Levels 1/2/3 written sequence as separate exams.

What are the seminar requirements?

45 hours spine, 45 hours extremities, 48 hours rehabilitation electives, plus completion of the free online McKenzie Method overview course (138 seminar hours total).

How much does the DACRB program cost?

$1,499 covers the field study, two online exams, and the oral practical. Reduced pricing is available if you previously passed legacy levels: $1,199 (level one), $899 (levels one and two), or $750 (oral only).

What are the eligibility requirements?

Candidates must hold a valid chiropractic license or a diploma from a CCE-approved chiropractic college. Currently enrolled chiropractic students are not eligible.

How many attempts are allowed on each online exam?

ACRB allows up to three attempts to pass each online exam. Subsequent attempts may have additional procedural requirements per ACRB policy.

How is DACRB recertification maintained?

Recertification is annual with a $135 fee plus required article review and the corresponding exams. Attendance at the ACRB Annual Conference is mandatory every other year.

Does DACRB cover modalities like ultrasound and electrical stimulation?

Yes, but the program emphasizes evidence-based use - choosing modalities only when current evidence supports them and recognizing situations where active rehab outperforms passive modalities.