Setting the highest certification standards for psychiatrists and neurologists since 1934

Sleep Medicine

Deadlines, Fees and Content for Initial Certification in Sleep Medicine
  • Upcoming Deadline - Initial Certification - Sleep Medicine

    Choice of Dates October 10, 2024
    Application Available December 1, 2023

    ABPN Diplomates must apply and pay online. Diplomates from a board other than ABPN must apply through their respective board.

    Application Deadline June 15, 2024
    Late Application Deadline June 28, 2024
    Scheduling Instructions Emailed by American Board of Internal Medicine

    Rolling

    2024 Content Blueprint from American Board of Internal Medicine 2024 Sleep Medicine Certification Content Blueprint
    Next Choice of Dates

    2025

    Examination Schedule Exam-Schedule
    Board Policies General Information and Board Policies

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

** Diplomates from ABA, ABFM, ABIM, ABOto and ABP are required to apply for certification through their respective boards.

History and Statement of Principles

The Sleep Medicine Certification Program, developed by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP), the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN), and the American Board of Otolaryngology (ABOto) for diplomates in internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry and neurology, and otolaryngology is designed to recognize excellence among physicians who are specialists in the care of patients with sleep problems and specific sleep disorders. Sleep medicine encompasses a multidisciplinary body of knowledge regarding the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathophysiology, and pharmacology of sleep and wakefulness, and their disorders.

The examination will be administered to candidates from the ABIM, ABP, ABPN, and ABOto at the same time in the same testing centers. Participation in the certification program is voluntary. Certification is not required of practitioners in this field, and the certificate does not confer privilege to practice.

Specific Training Requirements

This is a brief summary of training requirements and not intended to be all inclusive. To achieve certification in sleep medicine, candidates from the ABPN must hold a valid certificate in psychiatry, neurology, or neurology with special qualification in child neurology and fulfill all of the following requirements:

  • Satisfactory documentation of requisite practice experience or completion of formal training requirements, as specified in descriptions of the practice or training pathways
  • Have met all training requirements by July 31 of the year of the examination
  • Must meet the ABPN’s licensure requirements
  • Be certified by the Board in neurology, in neurology with special qualification in child neurology, or in psychiatry by December 31 of the year prior to the examination administration
Training Pathway (Specific training requirements after 2011)

After the 2011 examination, all applicants other than those initially approved during the practice pathway period are required to submit documentation of successful completion of one year of ACGME-accredited sleep medicine fellowship training.

Currently, ABPN does not accept training from international programs.

Read the ABIM blog on Sleep Medicine.