Board-certified Chiropractic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Specialists are doctors of chiropractic that have completed extensive postdoctoral education in non-surgical Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine, and have passed rigorous specialty Board examinations leading to Diplomate status as a Chiropractic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine specialist. Less than 2% of chiropractic physicians attain this status.

To become Board certified, the Chiropractic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine specialist is required to demonstrate advanced proficiency in the evaluation and non-operative management of a broad range of injuries, conditions, and disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system with particular emphasis on the spine and extremities..

The designation of Fellow of the International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (IANM) recognizes board certified Chiropractic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine specialists who are active members of the International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine.  Fellows of the Academy have distinguished themselves among their colleagues through advanced training and high levels of clinical excellence.  They are committed to the specialty of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and their communities through their dedication to ongoing research, continuing education, and improved clinical outcomes. 

The title of Fellow was established in 1980 by the Academy of Chiropractic Orthopedists, the precursor to the IANM, as a means for recognition of those members who have demonstrated a dedication to the established goals and ideals of the Academy. Fellows are committed to the advancement of Chiropractic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine as a non-operative alternative to surgical orthopedic healthcare relative to the treatment of disorders of the human spine and extremities. 

Upon meeting the requirements of advanced post-graduate training and successful completion of Chiropractic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine specialty board examinations, Fellows of the International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine are entitled to all privileges and honor bestowed by the Fellow designation (FIANM).

An ongoing lifelong commitment of a practitioner to integrate evidence-based, current clinical applications and applying the knowledge, skills, and judgment with the attitudes, values, and beliefs required to practice safely, effectively, and ethically in a designated role and setting. The IANM recognizes the importance of soft skills such as communication and ethical judgments to be part of the clinician’s knowledge and skills. Continuing professional development helps to ensure that skills and knowledge is up to date in order to demonstrate their current competence in the field of neuromusculoskeletal medicine.

Specialty certification is a MANDATORY process for Academy membership. While chiropractic licensure sets the minimum competency requirements to diagnose and treat patients, it is not specialty specific. Board certification demonstrates a doctor of chiropractic/chiropractic physician’s exceptional efforts to improve skills in a specialty area of chiropractic practice. A valid chiropractic license is required for Board certification.

The intent of the chiropractic orthopedic neuromusculoskeletal specialty certification process is to provide assurance to the public that a board-certified chiropractic orthopedic specialist has successfully completed an accredited training program and an evaluation, including an examination process, both oral and written, designed to assess the knowledge, experience, and skills required to provide quality patient care in the chiropractic orthopedic neuromusculoskeletal specialty.

Standards of specialty-board certification are distinct from those of state licensure.

The Mission of the Academy is to provide, through a membership organization for Board-certified chiropractic neuromusculoskeletal medicine specialists, a venue for the exchange of clinical information, promote continuing education in neuromusculoskeletal medicine and publish a peer-reviewed and indexed journal “The Journal of the International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine“ (JIANM). The Academy provides a specialty board certification process(es) and maintains specialty credentials through the maintenance of credentials and a competency program in chiropractic neuromusculoskeletal medicine.

Members of the Academy are designated as Fellows of the International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (FIANM). Academy membership is comprised of specialty board-certified neuromusculoskeletal medicine (Diplomates). These are doctors of chiropractic who have completed an extensive post-doctoral or graduate-level education in non-surgical orthopedics, biomechanical, and neuromuscloskeletal medicine, and have passed a Board certification examination to become board certified chiropractic orthopedists (DACO or DABCO). The Academy is independent of all chiropractic political and trade organizations. No other chiropractic organization membership is necessary for membership in the Academy (IANM).