History of the Canadian Chiropractic College of Rehabilitation Sciences
Increased interest in chiropractic rehabilitation sciences began in the United States in 1982 and resulted in the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) setting up the Council of Chiropractic Physiological Therapeutics and Rehabilitation (CCPTR) in the mid-80s. To foster further interest in chiropractic rehabilitation a Diplomate certification programme was developed, through a modified Delphi process, and was offered to chiropractors by the Chiropractic Rehabilitation Association lead by Dr. Kim Christensen.
In 1993, the Ontario Chiropractic Association appointed a Committee consisting of Dr. Ed Shane, Dr. Zoltan Szaraz, Dr. Deb Kopansky-Giles and Dr. Bob Gringmuth to look at a similar program in Canada. As a result, in September 1993, a parallel certification programme in chiropractic rehabilitation was implemented in Canada. The Canadian model of training was similar to the American model which was a three-level field practitioner programme involving 300 hours of courses which could be followed at any Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) accredited college. Modular examinations at the end of each year were standardized by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE). However, unlike the American model applicants for Fellowship status in Canada had an additional set of requirements. In 1995, the American Chiropractic Rehabilitation Board (ACRB) took over coordination of the Diplomate program in the United States.
On September 22, 1995, the Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA) accepted the Canadian Chiropractic College of Rehabilitation Sciences’ (CCRS(C)) application for recognition as a chiropractic specialty in Canada. In April 1996, with the graduation of the first chiropractors in the Canadian rehabilitation programme, the CCRS(C) held its first Annual General Meeting at which time Dr. Ed Shane was elected as its inaugural President.
Since its inception, the CCRS(C) has grown to be the largest of all the chiropractic specialty programs in Canada with certification of over 100 current Fellows.