Initial Certification in the Specialties of Neurology,
and Neurology with Special Qualification in Child Neurology

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Certification in Neurology, and Neurology with Special Qualification in Child Neurology
The ABPN issues certificates for the specialties of neurology and neurology with special qualification in child neurology.
Neurologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases or impaired function of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, muscles, autonomic nervous system, and blood vessels that relate to these structures.
Child Neurologists specialize in neurology with special skills in diagnosis and treatment of neurologic disorders of the neonatal period, infancy, early childhood, and adolescence.

Additionally, the ABPN annually revises content outlines of topics that will be covered in each examination that is offered. These publications may be downloaded from the Content Outlines page. The ABPN also maintains core competencies outlines for its specialties and subspecialties.

Changes for neurology and neurology with special qualification in child neurology examinations

New credentialing process effective for residents who entered residency training in neurology (PGY-2) or child neurology (PGY-3) on or after July 1, 2005.
The ABPN has made changes in the credentialing process effective for residents who entered residency training in neurology (PGY-2) or child neurology (PGY-3) on or after July 1, 2005. Some of the clinical skills evaluations that are currently conducted in the Part II examination will now take place within the residency program, and the residents will be required to submit documentation of satisfactory performance in the five required clinical skills evaluations. These evaluations must be completed in an ACGME-accredited training program and are required as part of the ABPN credentialing process. Assessment of other clinical skills will be integrated into a new computer-administered certification examination beginning in 2008. Candidates who successfully pass this computer-administered examination will be awarded a ten-year, time limited certificate in their respective specialty.

Credentialing process effective for residents who entered residency training in neurology (PGY-2) or child neurology (PGY-3) before July 1, 2005.
Residents who entered residency training in neurology (PGY-2) or child neurology (PGY-3) prior to July 1, 2005, must utilize the current certification process and will have up to February 1, 2013 to complete the certification process. Such residents will be required to apply and sit for the Part I examination being administered in 2009.* Any candidate that sits for and passes the Part I examination in 2010 or before will have three opportunities or until February 1, 2013 to pass the Part II examination, whichever comes first.

*The 2010 Part I examination will not be available for first-time takers. The Part I examination will be eliminated after 2010.

PLEASE READ The 2009 INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS publications for specific IMPORTANT DETAILS regarding the elimination of the Part II examinations.

Neurology and Child Neurology Clinical Skills Evaluations During Residency
The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) mandates that demonstration of clinical skills competency is a basic requirement in order to apply for certification in the specialties of neurology and neurology with special qualification in child neurology. Competency in these skills should be achieved during residency. The ABPN requires that residents demonstrate competency in the following areas:

• Medical interviewing skills
• Neurological examination skills
• Humanistic qualities, professionalism, and counseling skills

Demonstration of competency in evaluating a minimum of five different patients during residency training is required. An individual training program may elect to do more such evaluations.

Training program directors are able to input data regarding clinical evaluations via a web-based tracking program in the ABPN preCERT Credentialing System. To request an account set up click here. Residents will be able to view their data and track their progress in completing the evaluations.

Two forms (NEX v.1 and NEX v.2) and an instructional guide for use in performing the Neurology Clinical Evaluation Exercise during residency are located on the Forms page on the ABPN web site.

Other forms may be approved for use by the ABPN. If you are interested in submitting a neurology training program evaluation form for approval, please email to questions@abpn.com, fax to 847.229.6600, or mail to the Board office.

Sample Score Cards for Neurology/Child Neurology Part II Examinations

Sample Questions for Part I Examinations (pdf file of Part I type questions)

View neurology new-format examination sample video clip on the Candidates page.

Please note that applications for examinations are only available for a brief period of time in the year preceding the examination. Please see the examination schedule for application dates and deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Computer-Administered Examinations, explains the procedures for registration and testing at Pearson VUE testing centers.

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American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc.
2150 E. Lake Cook Road, Suite 900, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
Phone: 847.229.6500 Fax: 847.229.6600

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