Frequently Asked Questions
Are Diplomate certificates issued by The American Board of Chiropractic Orthopedists still recognized?
Credential Authorization and Use
The International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (IANM) authorizes the use of professional specialty credentials by providers who have achieved specific levels of academic, clinical, and professional accomplishment within the Academy. Authorized credentials consist of designated UPPER CASE LETTERS following the provider’s professional designation, together with the corresponding credential category as recognized by the Academy.
Authorization to use IANM credentials is based upon successful completion of the applicable certification requirements, continued compliance with the Academy’s Continuing Clinical Competence (CCC) program, and maintenance of the required credential status and dues for the applicable category.
The credential DABCO is a historically earned designation. The American Board of Chiropractic Orthopedists (ABCO), which originally awarded this credential, has been inactive for more than twenty years. Accordingly, use of the DABCO designation alone does not establish current board certification, active specialty status, or compliance with the Academy’s Continuing Clinical Competence (CCC) requirements.
The IANM does not issue, certify, renew, or verify DABCO credentials. However, the Academy recognizes the historical significance of the designation and provides a pathway for eligible DABCO holders to participate in the CCC program and, upon satisfying all current certification requirements, obtain the appropriate IANM credential, including DACO or DIANM as applicable. Individuals who achieve these credentials become active Academy certificants or Fellows and are eligible for primary source verification of their current certification status.
Effective July 1, 2026, the Academy’s public credential directory will no longer display renewal dates or current certification status for individuals using the DABCO designation alone. Current certification status and primary source verification will be available only for individuals who maintain an active IANM credential in accordance with the Academy’s certification and CCC requirements.
I have a chiropractic license and have passed the IANM Specialty Board examination. I am board certified in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine. Why should I participate in the Continuing Clinical Competence (CCC) Program?
State licensure authorizes a doctor to practice chiropractic. Board certification, however, recognizes advanced education, clinical competency, and successful completion of a rigorous specialty certification process in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine.
Participation in the Continuing Clinical Competence (CCC) Program demonstrates your ongoing commitment to professional excellence and lifelong learning. Through CCC, you document that your knowledge, clinical decision-making, and patient care remain current with contemporary evidence, evolving standards of practice, and advances in healthcare.
Maintaining active CCC status provides assurance to patients, healthcare providers, hospitals, employers, governmental agencies, legal professionals, third-party payors, and credentialing organizations that your specialty certification is current and actively maintained.
The International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (IANM) serves as the Primary Source Verification (PSV) organization for its specialty certifications. Upon request, the Academy verifies an individual’s board certification status and current CCC participation for credentialing, employment, hospital privileges, professional appointments, and other verification purposes.
Primary Source Verification is recognized as the gold standard for confirming professional credentials and is widely relied upon by healthcare organizations, credentialing bodies, insurers, preferred provider networks, and medical-legal entities. Participation in CCC demonstrates that your specialty certification is not simply a historical achievement, but an actively maintained professional credential reflecting your continued commitment to excellence in patient care.
Maintaining Active Board Certification
Effective January 1, 2022, all doctors who achieve board certification through the International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (IANM) are required to participate in the Continuing Clinical Competence (CCC) Program to maintain active board certification.
Participation in the CCC Program demonstrates an ongoing commitment to lifelong learning, evidence-informed clinical practice, and continued professional excellence. Doctors who do not satisfy the annual CCC requirements may no longer be recognized as holding an active board certification, and their certification status will be reflected accordingly in the Academy’s Primary Source Verification (PSV) system.
The Academy establishes and periodically updates the CCC standards and annual participation requirements. Current program requirements and reporting guidelines may be found here.
Can I use any postgraduate education hours to satisfy the Continuing Clinical Competence (CCC) requirements?
No. Not all postgraduate education qualifies toward the Continuing Clinical Competence (CCC) Program.
The International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (IANM) accepts CCC educational credit only for programs that are directly related to Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (NMSM) and that meet the Academy’s educational standards.
Educational programs taught by board-certified chiropractic specialists in their respective specialties are acceptable. Programs presented by board-certified medical specialists may also be accepted when the content is directly applicable to Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and supports the Academy’s educational objectives.
For purposes of CCC, board-certified means the instructor maintains an active specialty board certification in their respective discipline. If there is any question regarding an instructor’s board certification status, the Academy may verify that status through the appropriate certifying board or primary source verification process.
In addition, the IANM may recognize a limited number of educational hours completed through other accredited chiropractic specialty programs when the subject matter is directly relevant to Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine. Acceptance of such hours is determined by the Academy in accordance with its current CCC policies and educational standards.
Please refer to the current Continuing Clinical Competence (CCC) Program Standards for detailed eligibility requirements and documentation procedures.
I completed approximately 360 hours of postgraduate education in chiropractic orthopedics several years ago but have not taken the IANM Specialty Board examination. May I describe myself as “Board Eligible” on my curriculum vitae?
No.
The International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (IANM) does not recognize or authorize the use of the term “Board Eligible” for its specialty certification programs.
Completion of postgraduate education alone does not constitute board eligibility or board certification. While specialty education is an important component of the certification process, it is only one of several requirements established by the Academy.
To become board certified, applicants must satisfy all current eligibility requirements established by the IANM, successfully complete the Academy’s specialty board certification examination, and meet all applicable certification standards in effect at the time of application.
For purposes of CCC, board-certified means the instructor maintains an active specialty board certification in their respective discipline. If there is any question regarding an instructor’s board certification status, the Academy may verify that status through the appropriate certifying board or primary source verification process.
In addition, the IANM may recognize a limited number of educational hours completed through other accredited chiropractic specialty programs when the subject matter is directly relevant to Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine. Acceptance of such hours is determined by the Academy in accordance with its current CCC policies and educational standards.
Please refer to the current Continuing Clinical Competence (CCC) Program Standards for detailed eligibility requirements and documentation procedures.
Until all certification requirements have been fulfilled and board certification has been awarded by the IANM, an individual should not represent themselves as board certified or board eligible in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine or Non-Surgical Chiropractic Orthopedics.
If I am no longer an active member of the Academy, may I continue to use the FACO or FIANM designation on my stationery, curriculum vitae, or professional materials?
No.
The International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (IANM) no longer recognizes the historical Fellow designations (FACO and FIANM) as stand-alone honorary or fraternal titles. These designations did not represent a separate educational or specialty certification credential and are no longer authorized for use by individuals who are not in active standing with the Academy.
The IANM has developed a new earned Fellow of the International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine. The designation used is based on its sub-specialties. This advanced professional recognition will require the successful completion of additional educational and scholarly requirements, which may include advanced coursework, examination, mentorship, residency or hybrid residency training, publication of scholarly work or case studies, and other requirements established by the Academy. Continued recognition as a Fellow will also require ongoing compliance with the Academy’s International Continuing Clinical Competence (ICCC) standards and any additional Fellowship maintenance requirements.
The use of any Academy credential should accurately reflect an individual’s current certification status and authorization by the IANM.
Is the IANM Board Certification (DIANM) recognized by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA)?
Yes.
The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) House of Delegates formally recognized the International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (formerly the Academy of Chiropractic Orthopedists) specialty board certification process and the Diplomate of the International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (DIANM) credential. This recognition was made on September 23, 2005, and applied retroactively to the Academy’s first specialty board examination administered in April 2004.
This recognition resulted from the collaborative efforts of the Academy, the American College of Chiropractic Orthopedists (ACCO), and the Council on Chiropractic Orthopedics (CCO), working together to advance specialty education and board certification within the chiropractic profession.
Today, the IANM continues to serve as the certifying organization for the specialty of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and Non-Surgical Chiropractic Orthopedics. The Academy maintains rigorous standards for specialty certification, Continuing Clinical Competence (CCC), and Primary Source Verification (PSV) of certification status.
The Academy gratefully acknowledges the American Chiropractic Association and its House of Delegates for their recognition of the Academy’s specialty certification program.
U.S. Army and the IANM
The U.S. Army ArmyIgnitED program has approved the IANM Diplomate Board
Certification Examination for eligible participants. Successful completion
of the examination results in board certification by the International
Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine.
Do I have to pay a maintenance fee to continue using my IANM specialty credential (DACO or DIANM)?
No.
The International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (IANM) considers its specialty certification to be an earned professional credential. Like an academic degree (Bachelor, Master’s, Doctorate, or Doctor of Chiropractic), the credential itself is not subject to an annual maintenance or usage fee.
However, doctors who wish to be recognized as currently board certified must participate in the Academy’s Continuing Clinical Competence (CCC) Program and satisfy all applicable annual certification requirements. Participation in CCC demonstrates that the diplomate continues to meet the Academy’s standards for professional development, clinical competence, and lifelong learning.
The Academy’s Primary Source Verification (PSV) system verifies an individual’s current board certification status and CCC compliance. Doctors who maintain active certification are identified in the Academy’s online directory of currently certified specialists.
The historical Diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Orthopedists (DABCO) credential remains an earned historical designation. However, the IANM does not recognize DABCO as a stand-alone indication of current specialty certification or CCC compliance. Current certification status is determined solely through the Academy’s Primary Source Verification (PSV) process.
How can I become involved in IANM activities?
The International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (IANM) welcomes the participation of doctors who are committed to advancing the specialty of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine.
Doctors who maintain an active board certification and are participating in the Continuing Clinical Competence (CCC) Program are encouraged to volunteer in a variety of Academy activities, including:
- Board committees and task forces
- Educational program development and instruction
- Examination development and item writing
- Mentorship and residency programs
- Research, publications, and scholarly activities
- International representation and specialty promotion
- Fellowship and advanced specialty initiatives
The Academy continually seeks qualified volunteers to help strengthen the specialty and support its mission of advancing excellence in patient care, education, certification, and professional leadership.
If you are interested in becoming involved, please contact the Academy at admin@ianmmedicine.org. We welcome your interest and look forward to discussing opportunities to serve.