For Candidates
For candidates for ABNS certification, all post-graduate training must be completed as a resident in an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited neurological surgery program, under the direction of the resident's neurosurgery program director. The board will evaluate ACGME case log data as a measure of the breadth of resident experience at the completion of residency training. Click here for the details on the Individual Case Minimum Requirement.
For Candidates Who Complete Training on or After May 31, 2021
Commencing with neurosurgeons who complete training on or after May 31, 2021, there are updated requirements for being considered by the ABNS to be "tracking toward Certification," commonly known as "Board Eligible." In addition to the requirements below and passing the ABNS' primary (i.e., written, in training) exam for credit during residency, the new requirements are found here.
Eighty-four months of neurosurgical residency training in ACGME accredited programs under the direction of a neurosurgical program director.
This must consist of fifty-four months of core clinical neurosurgery, including:
- Twelve months as chief resident during the last two years of training (PGY-6 or 7)
- Three months of basic neuroscience (e.g., neurology, neuro-otology, neuroradiology or neuropathology) taken in the first 18 months of training
- Three months of critical care relevant to neurosurgery patients taken in the first 18 months of training
- A minimum of six months of structured education in general patient care (e.g., trauma, general surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology or plastic surgery).
- Twenty-one months must be spent in one program
- Thirty months of electives in areas such as neuropathology, neuroradiology, research, additional neurosurgery or possibly in areas of special interest such as complex spine surgery, endovascular or pediatric neurosurgery or clinical and non-clinical neurosciences.
Eighty-four months of neurosurgical residency training in ACGME accredited programs under the direction of a neurosurgical program director.
This must consist of fifty-four months of core clinical neurosurgery, including:
- Twelve months as chief resident during the last two years of training (PGY-6 or 7)
- Three months of basic neuroscience (e.g., neurology, neuro-otology, neuroradiology or neuropathology) taken in the first 18 months of training
- Three months of critical care relevant to neurosurgery patients taken in the first 18 months of training
- A minimum of six months of structured education in general patient care (e.g., trauma, general surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology or plastic surgery).
- Twenty-one months must be spent in one program
- Thirty months of electives in areas such as neuropathology, neuroradiology, research, additional neurosurgery or possibly in areas of special interest such as complex spine surgery, endovascular or pediatric neurosurgery or clinical and non-clinical neurosciences.
- Six to 12 months in an outside rotation in an ACGME accredited program may be counted towards the core 54 months of neurosurgery training. The program director must request credit from the ABNS prior to the rotation.
- Credit towards the 30 months of elective time may be requested by a program director for prior educational experiences, such as a PhD degree in a relevant subject, clinical rotations other than fellowships obtained at non-ACGME accredited programs, and neurosurgical training completed outside of the U.S., particularly if the resident is certified in that country. Written requests submitted by the program director to the ABNS must contain a complete description of the experience and justification of the request.
Seventy-two months of neurosurgical residency training in ACGME accredited programs under the direction of a neurosurgical program director. This must consist of:
- Forty-two months of core clinical neurosurgery, including 12 months as chief resident. At least 21 months must be spent in one program.
- PGY-1 must include a minimum of three months of fundamental clinical skills training (critical care, trauma and other rotations as designated by the program director); it may include up to six months of neurosurgery that will count toward the 42 months required.
- Three months of clinical neurology taken during the first three years of training, preferably during the PGY-1.
- Twenty-four months of electives, e.g., neuropathology, neuroradiology, research or additional neurosurgery, possibly in areas of special interest such as complex spine surgery, endovascular, or pediatric neurosurgery or clinical and non-clinical neurosciences.
- PGY-1, 12 months of fundamental clinical skills
- Twelve month surgical internship in an institution accredited by the ACGME, or
Six months in surgical disciplines and six months of other clinical disciplines under the program director of an ACGME accredited neurosurgical residency. Up to three months of neurosurgery and three months of neurology may be included.
- Sixty months of neurosurgical residency training in ACGME accredited program(s) under the direction of a neurosurgical program director. Training must consist of:
- Thirty-six months of core clinical neurosurgery, including 12 months as chief resident
- Three months of clinical neurology done during the PGY-1, although that does not shorten the required length of training
- Twenty-one to 24 months (depending on when neurology is done) of electives, e.g., neuropathology, neuroradiology, research or additional neurosurgery, possibly in areas of special interest such as complex spine surgery, endovascular or pediatric neurosurgery or clinical and non-clinical neurosciences
- At least 24 months must be spent in one program.
Rotations away from the parent program must request/receive prior written consent from the ABNS. If credit is expected for any type of outside rotation, including research, the Program Director must write prospectively to the Board requesting approval for the rotation and whether it is clinical or non-clinical. The letter must include brief details of the educational experience, location, under whom, and the time frame. Once the rotation is complete, the resident should submit a written evaluation of the training and how it contributed to their career goals.
- 6-12 months of neurosurgery credit may be granted if it is neurosurgery or a subspecialty at another ACGME accredited program.
- If the program is not ACGME accredited, only elective credit can be given. Note: elective credit does not shorten the required 84 months of residency.
- Rotations of less than three months are of questionable educational value and may not be approved.
Send written request to abns@abns.org
Requests should also be sent to the ACGME/RC if the program is also seeking credit approval.
Learn more about Family Medical Leave Act while in residency and post-residency.
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