Common international standards of education have been achieved through a network of accrediting agencies that began with the US Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE), recognized by the US Office of Education since 1974. These agencies are now represented by the Councils on Chiropractic Education International (CCEI).

Entrance requirements vary according to country, but in North America are a minimum of three years university credits in qualifying subjects. The chiropractic college professional program has a minimum of 4 full-time academic years, and results in a masters degree or equivalent in many countries. It is followed by postgraduate clinical training and/or licensing exams in many countries. Postgraduate specialties include chiropractic sciences, orthopedics, pediatrics, neurology, radiology, rehabilitation and sports chiropractic.

In former times most chiropractors graduated from North American colleges. There are now colleges in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain and the UK as well as the United States. Depending upon the country chiropractic education is either within the university system (most countries) or in private colleges. Several other countries have plans to open colleges soon  (e.g. Argentina, China, Italy, Jordan, Norway and Thailand).