ABPN Neurology Certification Examination

The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) administers this examination for initial certification in Neurology. It is separate from ABPN subspecialty certifications and from Continuing Certification. The published content specifications describe a 400-question examination, with 80% adult neurology and 20% child neurology questions. The ABPN Neurology page links to its content, format, application, schedule, and fee resources.

The computer-delivered exam has eight sections. Questions are either stand-alone, one-best-answer multiple-choice items or linked-item sets associated with a shared case, which may use text, audio, or video.

The 400 questions have seven hours of question time. The exam also includes five minutes for the nondisclosure agreement and on-screen instructions and five minutes for a closing survey. Up to 50 minutes of pooled breaks is available in addition to the 7 hours and 10 minutes of testing time.

In linked-item sections, candidates can revisit an answered item within that section but cannot change its answer after advancing. Leaving a section closes it. Stand-alone questions may be skipped or flagged while in their section; that section also closes when the candidate leaves it.

The ABPN blueprint uses two interrelated dimensions: neurologic disorders and topics, and physician competencies and mechanisms. Each question is associated with an area in each dimension, so the ranges in the two tables should not be added together as if they were separate portions of the exam. The detailed content outline is the reference for topic-level preparation.

Dimension 1: Neurologic disorders and topics

Dimension 2: Physician competencies and mechanisms

For the standard U.S. route, ABPN requires an ACGME-accredited full year of PGY-1 followed by three full years of ACGME-accredited neurology residency. ABPN specifies two acceptable training patterns: a four-year neurology residency with required PGY-1 experiences, or a separate qualifying PGY-1 year followed by a three-year neurology residency. PGY-1 rotation requirements and rules for transfers or interrupted training can affect eligibility, so check the specialty page against your own training record. Applicants must also complete five neurology clinical skills evaluations (NEX exams).

Applicants must meet ABPN’s active, full, unrestricted medical-license requirement. Trainees who apply while holding a training license must update their license information by the applicable exam-year deadline. Off-cycle graduates have additional requirements.

Canadian-trained applicants have a separate route specified by ABPN, including full training in a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada-accredited program, Royal College certification, and an unrestricted license in a Canadian province. ABPN does not directly accept training completed under other international training programs for the standard route. This is distinct from the rules for international medical degrees; ABPN describes those separately. The Academic Pathway is a separate pilot with its own eligibility criteria, not an automatic alternative for every internationally trained physician.

Use the ABPN detailed content outline as your checklist, and organize review around both blueprint dimensions. Give proportionate attention to topics with broader published ranges while covering the full outline; the ranges describe a blueprint, not a guaranteed distribution for an individual candidate. Practice linking each disorder to clinical features, mechanisms, diagnostic procedures, management, and relevant professional or systems considerations.

Prepare for both question formats. Use timed practice with stand-alone items and linked cases, including audio- and video-based material. Rehearse moving through a linked case without expecting to change an answer after advancing. Plan pacing across all eight sections and decide in advance how to use the pooled break time.

Applications are submitted through the ABPN Physician Portal and reviewed by ABPN. For the current application window, dates, deadlines, fees, and accommodation-request timing, start with the ABPN Neurology initial-certification page and follow its links to the relevant schedule and fee information; do not rely on a prior cycle’s details. After approval, candidates select an available test date, time, and location through Pearson. ABPN lists test centers in the United States and Canada, with some testing locations elsewhere; availability is not guaranteed. Review current examination procedures for identification and other test-center requirements, and ensure your application and identification details match.