The process of ABPNS certification has changed with the further integration of the ABPNS and the ABNS. Currently, pediatric neurosurgeons who meet criteria for certification or re-certification will receive a subspecialty credential in Pediatric Neurosurgery. These changes will apply to all North American applicants, but will affect applicants differently depending on the status and timing of their ABNS or RCPS(C) certification. The basic components include: 1) Completion of the ABPNS pediatric written focused practice examination, 2) Submission of a practice case log that meets pediatric case log minimums/criteria, and 3) Completion of a pediatric focused oral examination.

ABPNS Certification for those on the ABNS track who have just completed their fellowship:

(download the ABPNS pediatric written focused examination application)

• Pediatric written examination: Application for the ABPNS pediatric written focused practice examination is now available to all neurosurgeons currently completing (or who have previously completed) an ACPNF-accredited fellowship. Applicants are encouraged to take the exam in June, toward the end of their fellowship. The ABPNS will initiate contact with ACPNF fellows during their fellowship year. In May the ABPNS will provide access to the application and registration page. For those who do not take the exam during fellowship year, they are allowed one year deferral; however, many ACPNF fellowship programs cover the cost of that examination, and it is in the best interest of the applicant to take the exam end of fellowship year.
• ABNS application and case log: Applicants should initiate application for ABNS certification, and then begin the case log submission process using the ABNS case log data system called POST. Those tracking toward a pediatric RFP and who are on track to becoming ABNS certified must select pediatrics as their focus and take the pediatric focused ABNS oral examination.
• If the applicant's case log does not meet the pediatric minimums (See ABNS Case log Requirements below), but the intention is to eventually pursue the pediatric Recognized Focused Practice Designation (RFPD) in pediatric neurological surgery, the applicant should take the ABNS pediatric focused oral examination anyway and has 5 years to submit a qualifying case log directly to the ABPNS (See ABPNS Case log Requirements below).

ABPNS certification for those on the RCPSC track:

Applicants certified by the Royal College who have completed an ACPNF-accredited fellowship are eligible for the ABPNS-RCPSC dual subspecialty credential in pediatric neurological surgery. There are three steps to this process:

• Pediatric written examination: Applicants should apply for and pass the ABPNS pediatric written focused practice examination (offered virtually).
• Case log: Candidates can begin collecting cases for the oral examination straight out of fellowship, then submit a case log that meets criteria (See ABPNS Case log Requirements below).
• Oral examination: Once the above criteria are met, the applicant should apply for the ABPNS-sponsored oral examination. The exam has two parts: 1) pediatric neurosurgery cases and 2) review of applicant's own cases. This examination mirrors the oral examination given to ABNS candidates.

ABPNS certification for those seeking ABPNS certification via the Subsequent Joint Pathway :

• (download the ABPNS examination application for the subsequent joint pathway)
• (download the ABPNS case log template with outcome data fields)

This application is for those who have completed an ACPNF-accredited pediatric neurosurgery fellowship - AND - received ABNS certification without the ABNS pediatric focused oral examination. The entire subsequent joint certification process must be completed within 10 years of completion of the approved pediatric neurosurgery fellowship. Failing to complete the process within that time frame will require the candidate to seek joint certification via the “alternative pathway” criteria.

• ABPNS caselog: The applicant should submit a current case log that meets the ABPNS Case log Requirements (below)
• Oral examination: The applicant should apply for the ABPNS-sponsored oral examination. The exam has two parts: 1) pediatric neurosurgery cases and 2) review of applicant's own cases.

Applicants seeking the dual ABNS/ABPNS RFPD credential are required to enter 100 distinct, unique patient cases in a 24-month period in ABNS POST. Of those 100 distinct, unique patient cases, 75 of which should be pediatric (age 21 and under) in an 18 month time period. The candidate will select pediatrics as their focus and be scheduled for the ABNS pediatric focused oral board exam.

If the applicant knows ahead of time (or discovers during ABNS POST case entry) that he/she does not yet have the required number of distinct, unique pediatric cases, he/she should contact either the ABNS or the ABPNS administrators so that they can bypass the pediatric submission requirement. At that point, the applicant should enter (or resume entering) the 100 distinct, unique patient cases required for initial certification and then take the pediatric focused oral exam. If, in the following 5 years, the applicant's practice reaches the ABPNS pediatric case log requirement they may send a new case log directly to the ABPNS to evaluate candidacy for the RFPD in pediatric neurological surgery.

Note: If the applicant applies for a delayed RFPD in this manner, but has previously taken the 'general' instead of the 'pediatric-focused' oral ABNS exam, he/she will be asked to sit for another ABPNS-administered oral exam as detailed under the "Subsequent Joint Pathway".

ABPNS Case Log Requirements (Submitted directly to the ABPNS):

• 65 consecutive cases on patients 21 years or younger
• At least 85 total cases (pediatric and adult)
• All cases must have been performed over a period of 12 months or less.
• All cases must have 3 months follow-up.
• Follow-up may be performed outside the 12-month window.
• "Staged procedures" will count separately toward the total of 125
• Complication management/revision (“take back” surgery) is considered an extension of the original operation, they will not be counted towards the 65 total
• No case can be older than 18 months from the date of submission
• Cases during residency or fellowship should not be included

ABPNS certification for those seeking ABPNS certification via the Alternative Pathway (for those who have not completed an ACPNF-accredited fellowship or are greater than ten years out of ACPNF Fellowship):

• (download the ABPNS examination application for the alternate pathway)
• For submission of year 5 (most current year) (download the ABPNS surgical case log with outcome fields)
• For submission of years 1-4 (download the ABPNS surgical case log without outcome fields)

For applicants who have not completed an ACPNF-accredited fellowship or completed an ACPNF fellowship 10+ years ago, the ABPNS Board of Directors may, at its own discretion, offer a credential recognizing a pediatric neurosurgery practice to neurological surgeons who have been in practice for at least ten years following the completion of their residency. The link above provides the application and list of required supporting documents. This category requires submission of a surgical case log for each of the 5 years immediately prior to application, as follows:

• The case log submitted must represent all locations of the practice of the applicant at the time certification is requested.
• A minimum of 65 major pediatric operative cases in each of the five years
• A minimum of 3 months follow-up for each case occurring in the 5th (most current) year, with the most recent case being no more than 6 months from the time of application. Outcome data need to be submitted only for that most current year. Data from years 1-4 can be submitted using the ABPNS case log spreadsheet without the data outcome columns.

After Submission of an Application:

1. Applications from those following the ABNS track will be reviewed by a member of the Joint Credentials Committee of the ABNS and the ABPNS. Applications from those with RCPSC certification, Subsequent Joint Pathway, or Alternative Pathway tracks will be reviewed by the ABPNS Credentials Committee.
2. Applicant will be notified by the Secretary of the ABPNS of his or her eligibility to sit for the pediatric written focused practice examination.
3. The ABPNS written examination is given once per year, in June. Registration for that examination opens on May 1 of each year.
4. The ABPNS Exam Committee Chairman will notify all examinees of results.
5. The ABPNS Secretary will notify all examinees of the next step.

List of Examinations

• ABPNS Written Focused-Practice Exam: Exam given to all those who have completed an ACPNF-accredited fellowship and are seeking a subspecialty credential in pediatric neurological surgery. If unsuccessful at passing the examination on the first attempt, the applicant must re-take the examination at the next scheduled test date. If the applicant is unable to complete the re-examination process successfully, he or she must reapply and again meet all of the requirements outlined above.
• ABNS Pediatric-Focused Oral Exam: Exam given as part of the ABNS oral examination. The applicant should select the Pediatric track in order to take the pediatric focused oral exam rather than general- or spine-focused. Even if you do not have the pediatric case numbers, you can still select the pediatric track.
• ABPNS Oral Exam: Exam given by the ABPNS to those seeking a subspecialty credential in pediatric neurological surgery but who have not taken the pediatric-focused ABNS oral exam (they may have taken the general ABNS oral exam, or they might be certified by the RCPS(C).)