Home PageRecognition of Focused Practice: Neurocritical Care
Recognition of Focused Practice in Neurocritical Care
The goal of the Recognition of Focused Practice (RFP) credential in Neurocritical Care (NCC) is to elevate and advance neurointensive patient care for the public good. The RFP is a formal credential for Board-Certified Neurosurgeons who successfully completed an accredited neurocritical care fellowship or met practice criteria. This RFP is approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and managed by the ABNS.
Pathways to Credential
There are two pathways to achieve this credential. The post-fellowship track is designed for individuals who have completed an ACGME, CAST or UCNS accredited fellowship. The clinical practice track is a clinical practice pathway designed for neurosurgeons with a sufficient portion of their practice dedicated to neurocritical care, regardless of graduating from a neurocritical care fellowship.
| Requirements | Post Fellowship Track | Clinical Practice Track |
|---|---|---|
| Current ABNS Certification | Yes (Oral boards with Critical Care/ Trauma focus) |
Yes |
| Unencumbered medical license | Yes | Yes |
| Letter detailing unrestricted credentials to practice from CMO or Department Chair. | Yes | Yes |
| Certificate of completion from an ACGME, CAST, or UCNS accredited fellowship. | Yes | N/A |
| Letter outlining practice and specific responsibilities for managing all critical care patients in the intensive care unit, focusing on those with various neurological conditions. | Yes | Yes |
| Practice attestation and proof of compliance with one of the following categories: 1. An average of at least 17% of clinical practice time spent in the practice of NCC (> 300 hour/year) for the past 6 years 2. 25% (> 450 hours/year) for 4 years 3. 33% (> 600 hours/year) for 3 years 4. 50% (> 900 hours/year) for 2 years |
N/A | Yes |
| Involvement with critical care organizations, groups, societies, meetings, publications, etc. | N/A | Yes |
| Passing score on the Neurocritical Care RFP written exam. | Yes | Yes* |
| Approved RFP application. | Yes | Yes** |
* Preliminary submission of a letter for the clinical practice track, detailing current practices and neurocritical care responsibilities, is required to confirm candidate eligibility before taking the exam.
** The RFP application must be submitted within three years of passing the RFP Exam
Graduates of a Neurocritical Care fellowship are eligible to take the Neurocritical Care RFP written examination prior to completing their residency. Upon passing the examination, candidates may receive a letter indicating they are "Tracking towards RFP." After successfully passing the ABNS Oral Board examination, with a focus on Neurocritical Care, and achieving board certification, they may submit their RFP application for review. Candidates have a three-year window from the date of board certification to submit their RFP application.
To complete and submit an application please login at http://applications.abns.org
For first-time visitors to this website, proceed with the steps in the upper right hand corner to register.
- Once registered follow the instructions below to access the application:
1. Select “Applicant”
2. Click “Programs” in the top right black bar
3. Select “ABNS Recognition in Focused Practice Application: Neurocritical Care”
4. Click “More”
5. Select green “Apply” button
The RFP exam is offered annually in May. It is a multiple-choice exam with a two-hour time limit and can be completed either remotely (online) or at a local testing center. Registration opens approximately one month prior to the exam date for all candidates who have initiated an application.
Exam Study Materials
| Neurocritical Care Board Review: Questions and Answers, Second Edition |
Mayo Clinic Critical Care and Neurocritical Care Board Review (Mayo Clinic Scientific Press) |
The NeuroICU Board Review |
Neurocritical Care (Pittsburgh Critical Care Medicine) |
The Jefferson Manual for Neurocritical Care |
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The following tasks are all required to maintain your RFP credential. (Available by logging into your MyABNS profile)
- Completion of the NCC Core Principles annual learning tool
- Completion of attestation that at least 17% of the RFP holder’s practice is NCC-focused.
- Maintain good standing with the ABNS.
Neurosurgeons holding a CAST certification in neurocritical care may apply to covert this certificate to a Recognition of Focused Practice credential in neurocritical care until December 31, 2024. To complete an application, click here
Committee members serve a 3-year term renewable one time for a total of 6 years. Responsibilities of the committee include:
- Determine educational and training criteria for Neurocritical Care RFP certification
- Determine Clinical Practice Track pathway eligibility criteria
- Write, revise and update the Neurocritical Care RFP exam
- Issue credential upon RFP application approval
- Write the adaptive learning tool needed to be done by RFP holders to maintain their credential
- Review questions submitted by credentialed RFP holders for exam and learning tool
- Manage, with the ABNS, disciplinary or credentialing hearings/actions when needed
NCC Membership
| Name | Institution | Term Start | Term End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| J. Chris Zacko (Chair) | Penn State | 2022 | 2025 |
| Nicholas Brandmeir | West Virginia University | 2024 | 2027 |
| Andrew Carlson | University of New Mexico | 2022 | 2025 |
| Jamie Ullman | Hofstra/Northwell | 2023 | 2026 |
| Jefferson Chen | UC Irvine | 2021 | 2024 |
| Gary Schwartzbauer | University of Maryland | 2024 | 2027 |
| Perry Ball | Dartmouth Hitchcock | 2022 | 2025 |
ACGME: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
UCNS: United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties
CAST: The Committee on Advanced Subspecialty Training