Setting the highest certification standards for psychiatrists and neurologists since 1934

Neurocritical Care

Deadlines, Fees and Content for Initial Certification in Neurocritical Care

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

Neurocritical Care History

In June 2018, the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc. (ABPN) formally received approval from the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to offer a certificate in the subspecialty of neurocritical care. See our press release for more information. The first examination was administered in 2021.

The medical specialty of neurocritical care is devoted to the comprehensive multisystem care of the critically ill patient with neurological diseases and conditions.

The subspecialty certificate will be administered by the ABPN but also offered to eligible diplomates of the American Board of Anesthesiology, the American Board of Emergency Medicine, the American Board of Internal Medicine, and the American Board of Neurological Surgery.

Currently, there is no limit on the number of times an applicant may apply to take the initial certification in the subspecialty of neurocritical care examination. For Board eligibility requirements, please visit:  Board Eligibility (abpn.org).

 

Certification Requirements

Applicants for certification in neurocritical care must be certified in neurology or neurology with special qualification in child neurology by ABPN or by one of the other co-sponsoring Boards: ABA, ABEM, ABIM or ABNS by December 31 of the year prior to the examination. All training requirements must be met by July 31 of the year of the examination. All candidates must fulfill their primary board’s Policy on Medical Licensure.

ABPN Diplomates may apply to the ABPN for admission to the certifying process. Diplomates of the ABA, ABEM, ABIM and the ABNS are required to apply for certification through their respective Board. Note that application deadlines may differ for these boards.

 

Temporary Criteria During the Practice Pathway (2021-2026)

During a practice pathway period of six years (2021-2026 examination administrations), eligible neurologists or child neurologists must have completed one of the following:

1. Certified in NCC by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (UCNS)
2. Certified in NCC by the Committee on Advancing Subspecialty Training (CAST)
3. Have completed a “fellowship” in NCC (UCNS, CAST, or other non-ACGME accredited fellowship)
4. Have documented one of the following clinical practice times below:
a. An average of at least 17% of their post-training clinical practice time spent in the practice of NCC (at least 7 hours per week) for the past 6 years, * or
b. An average of at least 25% of their post-training clinical practice time spent in the practice of NCC (at least 10 hours per week) for the past 4 years, * or
c. An average of at least 33% of their post-training clinical practice time spent in the practice of NCC (at least 13 hours per week) for the past 3 years, * or
d. An average of at least 50% of their post-training clinical practice time spent in the practice of NCC (at least 20 hours per week) for the past 2 years, * or
e. An average of at least 25% of their total post-training professional time spent in the practice of NCC (at least 10 hours per week) for the past 4 years. **

* This calculation is based on an average work week of 40 hours. Physicians whose total practice exceeds 40 hours per week may still use the 40 hours number as the denominator of their % calculation.

** This approach specifically applies to academic program directors, administrators, or researchers, and provides them a pathway to qualification.

Training Pathway (Specific training requirements after the practice pathway period – after 2026)

After the six-year practice pathway period (2021-2026), all candidates applying for examination in neurocritical care must meet the general requirements listed earlier in addition to the following training requirements:

Neurology, child neurology, anesthesiology, and emergency medicine candidates applying for examination in neurocritical care must have either completed one year of general ACGME-accredited anesthesiology, medical or surgical critical care fellowship AND one year of an ACGME-accredited neurocritical care fellowship OR have completed two years of an ACGME-accredited neurocritical care fellowship.

Neurological surgery candidates applying for examination in neurocritical care must have either completed one year of an ACGME-accredited neurocritical care fellowship during elective time within residency training after PGY 3 (divided into no more than 3 four-month blocks) OR have completed one year of an ACGME-accredited neurocritical care fellowship after completion of a neurological surgery residency.

Internal medicine candidates applying for examination in neurocritical care must have been certified in Critical Care Medicine by the ABIM AND must have completed one year of an ACGME-accredited NCC fellowship.

Currently, ABPN does not accept training from international programs.

American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc.

7 Parkway North, Deerfield, IL 60015

Phone 847.229.6500

Fax 847.229.6600