The ten Diplomate requirements are designed to do more than credential you — they are structured to actively strengthen your practice, deepen your impact, and establish your voice in the profession. Most are completed within your existing practice setting, integrating naturally into the work you are already doing.
All requirements must be completed within two years of your application date.
Demonstrate your mastery of the full ICPA certification curriculum through successful completion of the Webster, Perinatal, and Pediatric written and multiple-choice exams, culminating in the Pediatric Certification Capstone Exam.
Participate in an ICPA Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN) in-office data collection project and publish one peer-reviewed case study relevant to pediatrics, perinatal care, or family wellness. This requirement places you at the leading edge of evidence-informed family chiropractic.
Document the real-world impact of your care through three written patient or parent testimonials that speak to quality-of-life improvements under chiropractic care. Select testimonials may be published in Pathways to Family Wellness magazine.
Create and film an original one-hour course on a topic you have mastered as a family chiropractor — whether technique, patient education, practice philosophy, or practice management. This is your opportunity to step into the role of teacher and share what you've built with the broader ICPA community.
Write letters of introduction to an OB and a pediatrician in your community, articulating your practice philosophy and your interest in collaborative care. This requirement reflects the ICPA's commitment to building bridges across the birth and health professions.
Author five essays exploring how salutogenesis informs your practice and your vision for family chiropractic. Topics range from explaining the Webster Technique to an OB/GYN, to proposing an original research question, to articulating how you will advance a salutogenic perspective in your community and profession.
Establish and maintain a Pathways Connect group in your practice — a monthly community gathering where families explore topics in family wellness together. ICPA provides quarterly discussion guides, resources, and support to help you lead with confidence.
Record yourself delivering a live healthcare class to a patient audience on the principles of chiropractic and salutogenic health. This requirement builds your public speaking skills while expanding your reach in the community.
Submit video recordings of a full clinical sequence — consultation, comprehensive exam, report of findings, spinal assessment, and adjustment — performed on both a pregnant mother and an infant under six months. These recordings are reviewed and graded by the Academy Council of Chiropractic Pediatrics.
Complete 20 hours of ICPA continuing education following your Pediatric Certification, plus CPR/First Aid certification. This ensures your clinical knowledge remains current as the field continues to evolve.
Further details on completing these requirements will be available to you when you are enrolled.
