Setting the highest certification standards for psychiatrists and neurologists since 1934

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Deadlines, Fees and Content for Initial Certification in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

*Application deadlines are at 11:59 p.m. CST.

Other Important Dates
Active, full, unrestricted license due to the Board or application is denied September 1, 2024
Graduation verification from training programs due to the Board for residents graduating June 30, 2024 July 15, 2024
Graduation verification from training programs due to the Board for residents graduating July 31, 2024 August 15, 2024
Clinical Skills Evaluations

Beginning in 2017, the only pathway to board certification will be the computer-administered Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Certification examination. All child and adolescent psychiatrists who wish to pursue board certification will be required to submit documentation of satisfactory performance in the evaluation of clinical skills completed in an ACGME-accredited program as part of the new ABPN credentialing process. Training programs approved by the Residency Review Committees and accredited by the ACGME can be found in the current edition of the Graduate Medical Education Directory published by the AMA or at the ACGME website www.acgme.org. The ABPN training and leave of absence policies are located on the Policies page.

Please contact our credentials department at 847-229-6510 if you have questions regarding the clinical skills assessments or the new examination format.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry History and Statement of Principles
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry History and Statement of Principles

Candidates in the subspecialty of child and adolescent psychiatry are those in the field of psychiatry who are seeking ABPN Board Certification.

The purpose of the ABPN’s initial certification examination is to test the qualifications of candidates in child and adolescent psychiatry. Child and adolescent psychiatry entails having additional skills and training in the diagnosis and treatment of developmental, behavioral, emotional, and mental disorders of childhood and adolescence.

Currently, there is no limit on the number of times an applicant may apply to take the initial certification in the subspecialty of child and adolescent psychiatry examination.

 

Specific Training Requirements

Applicants for certification in child and adolescent psychiatry must be certified by the Board in general psychiatry by December 31 of the year prior to the examination administration. All child and adolescent psychiatry must be completed in programs accredited by the ACGME.  The exposure to child and adolescent psychiatry given to psychiatry residents as part of their basic psychiatry curriculum does not count toward the two years of training.  The first examination was administered in 1959.

The required two full-time equivalent (FTE) years of specialized training in child and adolescent psychiatry may be completed on a part-time basis, as long as it is not less than half time; credit is not given for periods less than six (6) months.  The two years of full-time, specific training in child and adolescent psychiatry may be taken in no more than two blocks.  If completed in two blocks, the blocks must not be more than five years apart.  All training requirements must be completed no later than September 30th of the year of the exam.

Up to 12 of the 48 months of general psychiatry training may be spent in an ACGME-accredited child and adolescent psychiatry residency program.

Residents who entered child and adolescent psychiatry training on or before July 1, 1995, must complete a minimum of two full years of ACGME-accredited residency training in general psychiatry and two full years of ACGME-accredited residency training in child and adolescent psychiatry.

No credit is granted toward child and adolescent psychiatry training for pediatric training that has been completed at residency level beyond the pgy-1 or PL1 year for residents who began child and adolescent training programs on or after July 1, 1995.   Residents who began child and adolescent psychiatry training prior to July 1, 1995, may receive up to (but not more than) six months of child and adolescent psychiatry training credit for one year of pediatric training at the residency level (beyond the categorical PGY-1 or PL1 year).  The six months’ credit may be granted if the director of the child and adolescent psychiatry training program recommends such credit and if the candidate completes a minimum of one year of training in that child and adolescent psychiatry program (in the event that training is split between two child and adolescent psychiatry training programs).  In such cases, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide detailed documentation from the perspective training directors, including exact dates (month/day/year to month/day/year) outlining training content, duties, and responsibilities. Each case is considered on an individual basis and documentation must be submitted to the Board prior to the start of training for special consideration.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Training Reciprocity Agreement states, Canadian residents may apply for the ABPN examination if they meet the following requirements:

  • Completed their training in a Canadian program accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada AND
  • Achieve child and adolescent psychiatry certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada AND
  • Possess an unrestricted license to practice medicine in a Canadian province

All requirements must be met, and documentation must be received by September 1 of the year of the exam.  Please contact the Board for additional information at credentials@abpn.org.

Currently, ABPN does not accept other international training.

Board Eligibility Requirements

The ABPN recognizes a finite amount of time to sit for a board certification examination; however, does not issue statements concerning “Board Eligibility.” The Board informs an applicant of admissibility to examination only when the applicant has an active, approved application on file in the Board office.   The requirements and Policy regarding Board Eligibility can be found here: Board Eligibility. The CSEs and CC (continuing certification) audit will be due no later than July 31 of the year you apply and sit for the exam.

 

American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc.

7 Parkway North, Deerfield, IL 60015

Phone 847.229.6500

Fax 847.229.6600