Chiropractor Jobs in Canada | What Newcomers Must Know

Looking for chiropractor jobs in Canada? Many people prefer chiropractors in Canada and embrace alternative forms of health care and relief from physical ailments. As the field continues to grow in popularity, there is ample opportunity for internationally trained chiropractors who want to continue their careers in Canada.

Even though there is a labour shortage for chiropractors in Canada, you still need to meet specific chiropractic job requirements. Typically, employers require a minimum of two years of university undergraduate studies in science and licensing by a provincial chiropractic regulatory body, in addition to other requirements. 

If you plan to work as a chiropractor in Canada, you need to plan ahead and understand job requirements and licensing requirements. Prepare to continue your chiropractic career in Canada with this helpful overview.

How to Immigrate to Canada as a Chiropractor

Before You Move to Canada to Continue Your Chiropractor Career

There are steps that you can take before you move to Canada to improve your chances of practicing chiropractic when you arrive. Following these steps can help you to prepare to work in Canada, as well as save time, money, and energy.

• Attend the webinar What to Know About the Canadian Job Market to learn about labour market and job trends. 

• Contact the chiropractic regulatory body in the province where you will settle in Canada and inquire about:
  • Specific procedures to follow
  • Steps involved in the licensing process before and after you move to Canada
  • Documents you need to bring to Canada and verify if they need to be translated
  • Potential costs and time required to obtain a license.

• Assess your language skills by taking an online self-assessment on the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks website.

• Improve your language skills and enroll in language classes while you’re in your home country. You will need to prove your English or French (depending on your destination province) language competency or be tested.

• Take language classes and continue them after you move to Canada.

• Gather and organize your official education, work, and identity documents while still in your home country. It will be easier to gather them while in your home country.

• Understand how chiropractic in Canada is practiced in Canada and familiarize yourself with the laws and legislation that govern your profession in the province where you will settle.

• Know the name of your job in Canada and make a list of potential employers.

What to Expect When Pursuing a Chiropractor Career in Canada

Researching your profession is a vital first step before you move to Canada. Because chiropractors belong to a regulated profession in Canada they must register as members of a provincial College of Chiropractors in the province where they plan to settle. Internationally trained chiropractors must become familiar with accreditation policies and processes set by the FCC.

Employment Outlook for Chiropractor Jobs in Canada 

The job outlook for the chiropractic profession in Canada is positive. There are currently 33,700 professionals working in chiropractic. However, the Canadian Occupational Projections System projects a labour shortage for chiropractors until 2028. Many jobs are expected to open over the next few years because of Canada’s ageing population and increased public awareness of health issues. Job opportunities will also be available as more chiropractors retire. As a result, chiropractors in Canada can expect to see employment growth above the average for all occupations.

Start Your Research with the NOC Code for Chiropractor Jobs in Canada

To research the profession, you can start by reviewing the National Occupational Classification (NOC) for chiropractors, NOC 31201. Here you will get an overview of the job requirements, main duties, and example titles. This information will help you to understand what Canadian employers seek. You can search for example titles to help you when you conduct your job search.

In addition to using the NOC, you can also research the chiropractic profession at the Government of Canada Job Bank site. This site provides vital information about working in chiropractic jobs in Canada including wages, job prospects, skills, and general labour market information. The information on the site can help to inform your career and settlement decisions when choosing a city in Canada. Below we explain the steps you will need to take to work as a Chiropractor in Canada.

Some jobs in Canada belong to a regulated occupation. As the chiropractic field is a regulated profession in Canada, you can only call yourself a chiropractor and practice the profession if you are licensed by a regulatory body. As a result, internationally trained chiropractors must have their foreign licenses and certificates recognised. This process is known as credentials recognition.

Regardless of your international education or experience, to practice as a chiropractor you will need a license to practise in Canada. So, it’s important to become familiar with the provincial licensing process and what the chiropractic regulatory body expects of you. The regulatory body can advise you on the documents you require and assessment fees. Once you have all the information you can carefully complete your application.

The Federation of Canadian Chiropractic (FCC) is the national organization that governs the practice and assesses the academic credentials of chiropractic programs in Canada. There are also provincial and territorial regulatory bodies (links provided below). Licensure requirements may vary from one province to the other, but usually, internationally educated chiropractors must follow these registration steps:

• Complete the graduation requirements from a chiropractic education program accredited or recognized through reciprocal agreement by the FCC and Council on Chiropractic Education Canada.

• Submit official copies of all transcripts from an accredited chiropractic educational institution

• Provide proof of Canadian citizenship, Permanent Resident Status, or Employment Authorization

• Complete the application and pay the fee

• Complete the following exams:
  • Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board (CCEB) knowledge-based exams
  • CCEB Clinical Competency Exams, and
  • CCO Legislation and Ethics Exam.

Credential Assessment Services for Chiropractors

If you plan to attend college or university to upgrade your skills, contact the school that you want to attend to find out how to apply and what credential assessment agency to use. Some schools request that you use a specific assessment service. So be sure to ask if they have a preferred service to avoid paying extra fees.

Here are some credential assessment services that a chiropractic school may recommend:

World Education Services (WES) – Ontario

International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) – Alberta

International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) – British Columbia

To find more organizations and agencies that provide credential evaluation, assessment and qualification recognition services click here.

Related Post: How Do Credential Evaluation and Recognition Differ (Infographic)

Upgrading Your Skills to Meet Chiropractor Job Requirements

In addition to accreditation, you may need to upgrade your skills through a bridging program or other courses to become become a chiropractor in Canada.

You can benefit from ongoing learning through continuing education courses, attending seminars and training conferences, and reading professional periodicals.

You may have strong practical skills, but often that is not enough to get a job and succeed. If necessary, you may need more training or skills upgrading, especially related to soft skills.

Chiropractors must possess patience, excellent oral and written communication skills, the ability to maintain precise and confidential clinical records, good observation skills, and problem-solving and analytical skills. Importantly chiropractors must be able to handle patients and empathize with them and explain things in simple terms. You also require strong business skills. Many chiropractic offices operate as small businesses. If you plan to run your own office, strong business knowledge is necessary.

Why Communication Skills are Important

Language Training for Chiropractors in Canada

Having strong skills in one or both of Canada’s official languages – English or French – is important for your future in Canada. Whether you choose to focus on learning or improving English or French will depend on which of the two languages most people speak in the area where you intend to live.

You may be eligible for Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program. Otherwise, you can find other free or affordable classes in English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) classes through school boards or settlement agencies.

There are even language courses to teach you professional terminologies, such as job-specific language training and Occupation Specific Language Training (OSLT) in Ontario. And, if you already speak one of Canada’s two official languages at a high level, learning the other one is a good option, as it may offer you more job options.

Chiropractor Schools in Canada

There are two programs that offer chiropractic degrees in Canada accredited by the FCC:

• Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) in Toronto (English)

• Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) in Trois-Rivières (French).

So, if you plan to continue your studies in Canada, you can research your options at these chiropractic schools. 

There are also a select number of specialty chiropractic colleges that offer programs that allow you to specialize in specific areas. Specialties can include pediatric, clinical sciences and diagnostic imaging, spinal stenosis, sports sciences, rehabilitation, and animal chiropractic care. 

Here’s a list of the chiropractic colleges in Canada:

• College of Chiropractic Sciences 

• College of Chiropractic Orthopedists 

• Chiropractic College of Radiologists (CCR)

• Canadian Chiropractic Specialty College of Physical and Occupational Rehabilitation 

• Royal College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences.

Chiropractic Associations in Canada

Chiropractic associations exist on the national and provincial levels in Canada. 

National Chiropractic Associations

Canadian Federation of Chiropractic Regulatory and Educational Accrediting Boards 

Canadian Chiropractic Association 

Provincial/Territorial Chiropractic Regulatory Bodies

The following associations provide information about licensing and certification and offer professional development, education and networking opportunities.

Alberta

Chiropractic Association of Alberta

British Columbia

College of Chiropractors of British Columbia

Manitoba

Manitoba Chiropractors’ Association

New Brunswick

New Brunswick Chiropractors’ Association

Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador Chiropractic Board

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia College of Chiropractors

Ontario

College of Chiropractors of Ontario

Prince Edward Island

Council of the Prince Edward Island Chiropractic Association

Quebec

Ordre des chiropraticiens du Québec

Saskatchewan

Chiropractors’ Association of Saskatchewan

Yukon

Professional Licensing, Department of Community Services, Government of Yukon

Immigrant Networks

Internationally trained chiropractors can benefit from joining immigrant networks. Professional immigrant networks are organized, volunteer-run member-based associations or networks created by and for immigrant professionals that seek to:

• Create a forum to contribute to and enrich their respective communities

• Provide opportunities for their members to find meaningful employment and achieve their professional goals

Immigrant networks provide activities such as networking events and mentoring. They also host information sessions, provide professional development, and facilitate connections to job opportunities. For example, isans: Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, helps newcomer professionals with economic and social integration in the province of Nova Scotia.

How Much Do Chiropractors Make in Canada?

Chiropractor salaries in Canada vary based on many factors. Your location, the number of hours you work, how much you charge patients, and many other factors affect your income. Chiropractors make about $45 per hour. Salaries typically range between $87,750 and $125,438 according to Talent.com.

Chiropractor Job Salary in Canada

Here are the most recent Chiropractor salary numbers from the Government of Canada Job Bank. Data is not available for all provinces.

Province	Low ($/year)	Median ($/year)	High ($/year)
Alberta	31,668	60,494	121,530
British Columbia	32,959	53,032	118,501
Ontario	32,724	58,987	116,267
Quebec	29,862	67,847	125,267

Best Locations to Find Work in Canada as a Chiropractor

You can find chiropractor jobs in Canada in almost any province or territory. The best locations to find work are in the provinces with the largest population including Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. The same is relevant at the city level. Top locations include cities such as:

• Toronto

• Ottawa

• Calgary

• Edmonton, and

• Vancouver.

Pursuing a Chiropractor Career in Canada

Pursuing a career in chiropractic begins with having the right academic credentials based on the province where you plan to work. The following information can help you to continue your chiropractic career in Canada.

Major Employers for Chiropractic Jobs in Canada

Chiropractors in Canada usually work in private practice or clinics with other health practitioners. You can visit Canada’s Best Diversity Employers website to check for hospitals or healthcare centres that you may be interested in. This special designation recognizes Canada’s best employers for diversity, inclusion, and equity in the workplace.

For information, tools, free webinars, and more visit our Finding a Job in Canada resource page. Get the help you need to achieve your career goals in Canada!

How to Find Your First Canadian Chiropractor Job

The Canadian job market is competitive, so it’s necessary to understand the steps to gain employment.  As well, finding a chiropractic job in Canada may be different than in your home country.

There are many ways to search for chiropractic jobs.

• Broaden your search and include alternative careers.

• Seek out a mentor in the chiropractic sector who could give you valuable insight and advice and introduce you to their professional network.

• Join chiropractic or healthcare job-finding or networking clubs through immigrant-serving agencies.

• Attend chiropractic or healthcare job fairs and regularly check online job boards.

• Search job banks at chiropractic colleges or associations. Also, hospitals and other health institutions generally post vacancies on their websites.

Connect with Immigrant Settlement Agencies

Finding a chiropractic job in Canada may be different than in your home country. You may need help updating your resume, writing cover letters, and preparing for interviews to work as a chiropractor in Canada. Most settlement agencies offer job-search services that can help you find a job in Canada. To find immigrant services in Canada, click here.

Services in Canada to Help Newcomers Settle

Write a Resume

When you apply for a chiropractor job you will have to submit a well-written resume. A Canadian-style resume plays an important role in getting you a job. Consider the following tips to write your resume for chiropractic jobs.

• List only relevant job experiences, or which were similar, such as working as a Chiropractor for ABC Healthcare clinic, or Assistant Chiropractor with ABC Hospital.

• Describe the nature of the job which you were required to do. Mention only those jobs related to the chiropractic job.

• List your license and educational qualifications. Here too, mention only those qualifications, related to chiropractic, such as a Bachelor of Science in Chiropractic Medicine from ABC University.

• List specific job duties and outcomes such as maintaining records of the case history of the patient, conducting a physical diagnosis, interpreting medical images like X-rays and scans, making adjustments to the spinal cord of the patient, adjusting the spinal column, conducting sports chiropractic activities, or providing advice on general health.

Prepare for Chiropractic Job Interviews in Canada

To prepare for your chiropractor job interview:

• Think of interview questions and answers that are relevant to the field and position that you have applied for.

• Visit specialized chiropractic forums or blogs to ask for interview help and advice.

• Understand Canadian chiropractic industry trends and how they are affecting the profession.

• Identify attributes/traits/abilities for chiropractors that are related to this job and how to get them.

• Research the employer profile thoroughly for chiropractor vacancies to identify: the client base, the company’s value proposition, and what sets it apart. Identify how your experience and talent make you an ideal candidate for the role.

Sample Chiropractic Job Interview Questions

Below are sample interview questions that you can prepare to repond to:

• Why are you interested in this role? Demonstrate that you have researched the organization and highlight why you are attracted to both the role and the organization.

• What do you like the most or least about your role as a chiropractor? Be sure to emphasize the elements that you like most that align with the job description.

• What is the most recent skill you have learned and how did you learn it? This is an opportunity to showcase your commitment to professional development. Indicate whether you completed additional training, wrote a research paper, or read about the skill in trade publications.

Request Information Interviews with Practicing Chiropractors

While the job outlook is positive for chiropractors in Canada, landing that next opportunity requires extra effort and outreach.

Informational interviewing can be a way to demonstrate your communication skills, research skills and time management skills.

An informational interview is a brief (20–30-minute) meeting that you schedule with a person who is currently working in the field to learn more about the industry in Canada.

You should not try to get a job during an informational interview but rather learn more about working as a chiropractor in Canada.

An informational interview with a contact from your network can be an excellent source of career information. In addition to basic information about a particular type of industry (such as you might find on a company website), it also offers you the benefit of a professional’s first-hand experiences and impressions.

• Make a list of the hospitals, chiropractic practices, public health agencies, and others, as desired, that operate in your area.

• Use your resources including professional organizations, LinkedIn, and other networking tools to identify organization insiders, health unit coordinators, etc.

• Create 5 – 10 open-ended questions that will yield full useful information to help with your job search.

Networking Opportunities for Chiropractors

Networking is an essential tool that may give you job leads, gain information about a particular firm or industry, and meet others to expand your network. As many job vacancies are not advertised, you must make connections with practicing chiropractors and others in your field.

Good places to network are gatherings such as conferences, association luncheons, and industry get-togethers to meet people, build relationships, and share information.

LinkedIn is another important professional tool for networking. It is great to connect with former colleagues and employers, search by company or jobs, and get introductions and recommendations.

You can also connect with people in the healthcare sector and join some related professional groups.

But remember, that you must allow time to cultivate and grow the ties you establish through networking. Nothing will happen overnight, and you need to be patient.

Build Your Professional Network Before You Arrive

With a positive outlook for chiropractor jobs in Canada, now is the time to check out your options. Interested in learning more about working in Canada? Check out our Finding a Job in Canada resource page. We can help you achieve your career goals in Canada.