Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) & Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (DACBSP) Certification
Since 1980, the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (ACBSP) has led the development of sports medicine certification and has managed a world-class credentialing process that ensures sports chiropractors meet competency standards to effectively work with and treat athletes and those engaged in athletic activities. in addition, the ACBSP offers continuing education and research seminars to facilitate the dissemination of the latest scientific knowledge, treatment trends, and best practices for patient care.
The ACBSP is the governing board for the Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) and Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (DACBSP) certifications. Various accredited chiropractic colleges offer the cirricula and training needed leading to qualification for taking the certification exams. These certifications are designed for chiropractic doctors who want to specialize in chiropractic sports medicine. The CCSP certification is the pre-requisite to the DACBSP certification.
The CCSP certification requires post-graduate education in chiropractic sports medicine or a closely related discipline. A requirement of the ACBSP for doctors of chiropractic to be eligible for attaining a CCSP certification is completing a minimum of 100 hours of post-graduate education in the Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician program from an accredited chiropractic 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. These candidates must also provide written documentation of successful completion of both courses prior to sitting for the CCSP certification examination.
The CCSP designation is likely the most recognizable of all of the post-graduate certifications in the chiropractic profession. Individuals with this certifications have continued education in areas including but not limited to:
- The Spine, Concussion, and Team Physician Concepts
- Emergency Procedures
- Chiropractic Management of the Extremities
- Correlated Studies in Sports Chiropractic
In addition to successfully passing the required written examination to attain the Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) designation, yearly continuing education hours are required to maintain active status as a CCSP with the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians. Every year, 12 hours of continuing education are required to maintain a certificant's active status, as well as maintaining proper CPR/First-Aid certification status as well.
The DACBSP certification requires those that have attained CCSP certification to complete an additional 200 hours of post-graduate education from the Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physician program from an accredited college, as well as 100 hours of working in the field of sporting related events.
Like the CCSP program, 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. These candidates must also provide written documentation of successful completion prior to sitting for the DACBSP written and practical examinations.
The DACBSP designation is also one of the most prestigious post-graduate certifications in the chiropractic profession. These individuals, in addition to their CCSP course of education, will have higher continued education in the areas but not limited to:
- Team Physician Concepts
- Soft Tissue Pathology, Regional Exam and Treatment
- Biomechanics of the Upper Extremities
- Rehabilitation of the Spine and Extremities
- Biomechanics of the Lower Extremities
- Strength and Conditioning/Sports Performance
- Emergency Procedures
- Advanced Case Correlations
In addition to the successful passing of both a strenuous and challenging written and practical examination, an article of research must be presented to the ACBSP board for approval, and for potential publication. Each DACBSP certificant requires 24 hours of continuing education to maintain a certificant's active status, as well as maintaining proper CPR/First-Aid certification status as well.
Dr. Christopher Harris has held the designation and certification of a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) since November 2012. As of April 2020, Dr. Harris became one of approximately 400 Chiropractors worldwide to hold the distinction of being a Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (DACBSP). He is one of only three designated DACBSP Chiropractors in the entire state of North Carolina.
A link to the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians can be found here.
