| Initial Certification in Neurology/Child Neurology |
| The purpose of the ABPN’s initial certification examinations is to test the qualifications of candidates in neurology/child neurology. Neurology/Child Neurology specializes 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. New Certification Information • Effective January 1, 2012, ABPN will require a physician to become Board certified within seven years following successful completion of ACGME-accredited or ABPN approved residency training in their primary specialty. • Graduates can take the ABPN Certification Examination as many times as allowed during the 7-year period. • Individuals who have completed an accredited residency program prior to January 1, 2012 will have until January 1, 2019 to become board certified. • Individuals who do not become certified during the 7-year period (or before January 1, 2019 for those who completed residency training before January 1, 2012) will be required to (1) repeat the required clinical skills evaluations; and (2) complete one stage of MOC (90 CME credits, 24 self-assessment CME credits, and 1 PIP Unit which includes a clinical and feedback module) in order to be credentialed to take the ABPN Certification Examination. Apply for an examination | ABPN Physician Folios site | Visit the Pearson VUE Website |
Specific Requirements
Specific requirements for certification are described in detail in the Information for Applicants (IFA) publications. These publications and corresponding applications are revised each year and are available as pdf files.
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.
| Quick Reference Links: PDF files can be found on the forms page. | ||
Examination Materials:  Examination Applications Examination Schedules Information for Applicants Important Dates Content Outlines Core Competency Outlines Sample Questions and Videos |
Neurology Clinical Skills Evaluations (CSE) During Residency: General CSE Information Requirements (PDF) FAQs (PDF)NEX Forms NEX Form V.1 (PDF) NEX Form V.2 (PDF) Criterial for Approving NEX Form (PDF) |
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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 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 (PDF) for application dates and deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Computer-Administered Examinations, explains the procedures for registration and testing at Pearson VUE testing centers.