The Level 1 Certification in the Blair Technique serves to assure the doctor and patient alike that the chiropractor is considered proficient by the Blair Society by virtue of passing the testing procedures established by the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Society, Inc (501c3).

Level 1 Prerequisites

    1. Be in active chiropractic practice for one year (or equivalent part time practice).
    2. Be a full dues-paying member of the Blair Chiropractic Membership Association for one year.
    3. Attendance of at least one full three-part Blair Technique seminar series given by a Certified Blair Instructor.

Level 1 Application Process

    1. The request for Blair Level 1 certification should be submitted to the Director of Certification and Instruction of the Blair Chiropractic Membership Association via email: admin@blairchiropractic.com.
    2. The request is to be accompanied by proof of attendance of Primary, Intermediate and Advanced Blair seminars, including seminar dates and names of instructors.
    3. Include a check or electronic payment for $200 made out to the Blair Chiropractic Membership Association as a non-refundable processing fee.

Level 1 Imaging Examination

    1. Once the application has been accepted and approved by the Director of Certification and Instruction, the Applicant will be assigned 2 certified Blair Instructors to grade the imaging portion of the examination.
    2. Submit five (5) complete sets (not necessarily consecutive) of Blair Upper Cervical X-Ray or CBCT imaging series to the two selected instructors.
      1. The submitted cervical x-rays need to be taken and marked by the applicant. The CBCT image itself does not need to be taken by the applicant, however they will be responsible for creating all the necessary CBCT Views using a suitable program, with Left and Right Markers.  
      2. The submitted X-ray/CBCT image sets need to be taken no earlier than 90 days before submission of the application.
      3. At minimum the Blair X-Ray series is made up of an:
        1.  A-P open mouth, 
        2. Base posterior,
        3. Left Lateral Cervical Stereoviews (2 rotated views taken with either tube shift or patient shift as described in the Blair Manual) 
        4. Right Lateral Cervical Stereoviews (2 rotated views taken with either tube shift or patient shift as described in the Blair Manual)
        5. Left Protracto View (stereoviews when necessary)
        6. Right Protracto View (stereoviews when necessary).

*Retakes or supplemental views may be included in each film set as necessary to obtain readable images of the articular margins of each of the joints in question.

  1. At minimum the Blair CBCT Image series is made up of an:
    1.  A-P/P-A Cervical in MPR (minimum slice thickness of 20mm with midpoint at center of the Condyle), 
    2. Base Posterior using APL method or 45-degree method in MPR (minimum slice thickness of 30mm with center of the axial plane at the Clivus), 
    3. Left Protracto Views in MPR (Minimum Slice thickness of 40mm, showing both the convexity and Slope clearly), 
    4. Right Protracto View in MPR (Minimum slice thickness of 40mm showing both the convexity and Slope clearly),
    5. Posterior Cervical in 3D
    6. Left lateral Cervical in 3D
    7. Right Lateral Cervical in 3D
    8. (Recommended, not mandatory) Left ‘’Arch/Curve Protracto Slices’’ at Part 1(Slice thickness .5-2mm), 
    9. (Recommended, not mandatory) Right ‘’Arch/Curve Protracto Slices’’ at Part 1(Slice thickness .5-2mm), 

*Additional Images can be added to obtain readable images of the articular margins of each of the joints in question

  1. The requisite Imaging Analysis Form to be filled out for each set will be sent via email after the request to be tested has been approved.
    1. Listings for C1 to C4 must be marked.
    2. All angles from C1 to C4 must be marked.
    3. Contraindications and pathologies should be noted.
    4. Preferred contact based on listing, angles and anatomy should be recorded.
  2. Traditional Film X-Rays: Include two stamped and addressed envelopes one made out to the second Instructor and the other to yourself.
  3. Digital X-Rays and CBCT: Digitally taken x-rays or CBCT images (as described above) need to be submitted as jpegs, tiff, png. The Certified Blair Instructor grading the imaging examination may also request the entire DCM file to confirm findings.  The Image files and folders of each case should be properly labeled and shared via dropbox or google drive to both instructors.
  1. Instructors will evaluate film quality, patient placement and findings.  All five sets must pass with 75% or greater from each instructor.
  2. Failure to pass one or more sets: the applicant may submit a like number of sets within a 90 day period in order to avoid another $200 application fee and resubmittal of another 5 Sets.

Download CBCT Applicant Packet Here

 

 

 

CBCT Imaging Guide for Certification Video 

    Level 1 Practical Examination

    The applicant will be notified by the Director or Certification and Instruction following successful completion of the Imaging portion of the examination.  The Director will select and contact 2 Certified Blair Instructors to perform the Practical Examination portion of the Blair Level 1 Certification.

    1. Demonstration on a toggle monitor (or other appropriate device) adjustments for five (5) upper cervical listings chosen at the discretion of the instructors from the list of Atlas and Axis side of laterality and side-opposite single misalignment adjustments. C1ASL (LTC, RTC, RAC) C1ASR (RTC, LTC, LAC), C1PIR (RTC, RAC, LTC), C1PIL (LTC, LAC, RTC), C2 ARS, C2 ALS, C2 PRI(RSC, LLC), C2PLI(LSC,RLC). The applicant will be required to explain each listing regarding both the mechanism of displacement and correction. Each simulated adjustment may be attempted twice.
    2. The Applicant must set up, explain and show correct patient placement for the side posture toggle table.
    3. The applicant must explain and convey knowledge of paraspinal thermography and pattern analysis in general and in regards to when to adjust.
    4. The applicant will be required to manually demonstrate leg balance tests as they are taught in the Blair seminar series. This should include the modified Derifield/Thompson prone leg check, Cervical Syndrome Tests, and Modified Prill spinal balance leg checks.
    5. The applicant will need to convey skills regarding his/her Upper Cervical patient management talents.

     

    Proficiency Oral/Written examination

    This is usually done in conjunction with the Practical portion of the process. The applicant is to be tested on the Blair principles of articular misalignment in relation to joint mechanics and spinographic imaging of the upper cervical spine.

    Passing Level 1 Blair Certification

      1. Each section of the certification process is considered passed if the applicant scores 75% correct from each of the two instructors. A “passing” mark must be earned for each of the three requirements set forth above (Imaging, Practical, Oral/Written examinations), within a period of three years of the initial examination or submission.
      2. Following successful completion of all portions of the Level 1 Blair Certification process, the results will be forwarded to the Director of Certification and Instruction.
      3. The Level 1 Blair Certificate will be awarded at the next Annual Blair Conference or mailed to the applicant in the event he/she cannot attend the conference. 

    Maintaining Level 1 Blair Certification status

      1. Attend at least one Blair seminar or the Annual Blair Conference every 2 years.
      2. Remain an active dues paying member of the Blair Chiropractic Membership Association.
      3. The doctor must submit to periodic re-evaluation by Certified Blair Instructors at the choosing of the Director of Certification and Instruction. 
      4. Maintain professional conduct as a credit to the legacy of the late Dr. William G. Blair.
      5. Failure to comply with the above-mentioned requirements will result in revocation of the Level 1 Blair Certification.