Initial Certification in Brain Injury Medicine

A. History and Statement of Principles 
In September 2011, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) approved the application cosponsored by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) and the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR) to offer subspecialty certification in Brain Injury Medicine. This was done to officially establish the field of brain injury medicine as a definite area of subspecialization in psychiatry, neurology, child neurology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and to provide a means of identifying properly trained and experienced physicians in brain injury medicine.

The actual mechanics of certification of qualified candidates have been delegated by the Board to the Committee, which operates under the supervision of and in accordance with the policies of the Boards.

The examination will be administered to candidates who have maintained certification by the ABPMR or by the ABPN, in neurology, neurology with special qualification in child neurology, or psychiatry or maintained subspecialty certification in sports medicine through any of the following ABMS Boards: the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP), or the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM). The examination will be administered 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 convey privilege to practice.

B. Certification Requirements
To achieve certification in brain injury medicine (BIM), 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:

• Attestation of requisite practice experience, or documentation of successful completion of formal training requirements, as specified in descriptions of the training or practice pathways.
• Have met all training requirements (if applying through training pathway) by June 30 of the year of the examination.
• Must meet the ABPN’s licensure requirements.
• Be certified by the Board in psychiatry, neurology or neurology with special qualification in child neurology by December 31 prior to the examination administration.

NOTE: Diplomates from the ABPMR should contact that Board for information regarding certification requirements. Diplomates in sports medicine should contact their respective board, ABIM, ABFM, ABP, or ABEM.

Applicants may qualify for examination by submitting documentation of successful completion of one year of fellowship training in brain injury medicine completed in a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The brain injury medicine fellow must have satisfactorily completed an ACGME-accredited psychiatry, neurology, child neurology, or ABPN approved combined residency prior to entering the brain injury medicine program. Training or exposure to brain injury medicine given to psychiatry, neurology or child neurology residents as part of their basic psychiatry, neurology or child neurology curriculum does not count toward the one year of brain injury medicine training. Training must be completed by June 30 of the year of the examination.

C. Temporary Criteria (Specific Requirements during the "Grandfathering Period")
During the “grandfathering period” (for the first five years in which the BIM examination is administered), as an alternative to one year of ACGME-accredited fellowship training in brain injury medicine, applicants may qualify for examination in brain injury medicine if they can provide the following:

• Documentation of satisfactory completion of 12 months of fellowship training in a non-ACGME-accredited brain injury medicine fellowship program affiliated with an ACGME-accredited psychiatry, neurology or child neurology residency training program. The brain injury medicine fellow must have satisfactorily completed an ACGME-accredited psychiatry, neurology, child neurology, or ABPN approved combined residency prior to entering the brain injury medicine program. Training or exposure to brain injury medicine given to psychiatry, neurology or child neurology residents as part of their basic psychiatry, neurology or child neurology curriculum does not count toward the one year of training. Training must be completed by June 30 of the year of the examination.

OR

• Attestation of a minimum of 25% practice time in the United States devoted to brain injury medicine beyond completion of residency training in the primary specialty for a minimum of three years (within the last five years). The practice should be adequately broad to reasonably reflect the full scope of brain injury medicine.

The specialized training in brain injury medicine may be completed on a part-time basis, as long as it is not less than half-time; credit is not given for periods of training lasting less than one year, except under special circumstances that must be approved by the ABPN Credentials Committee. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide detailed documentation from the respective training directors that outlines training content, duties, and responsibilities. Each case is considered on an individual basis.

D. Training Pathway (Specific Training Requirements after the “grandfathering” period)
After the “grandfathering” period, applicants for certification in brain injury medicine must:

• Be certified by the Board in psychiatry, neurology or neurology with special qualification in child neurology by December 31 prior to the examination administration. 
• Submit documentation of successful completion of one year of ACGME-accredited fellowship training in brain injury medicine. The brain injury medicine fellow must have satisfactorily completed an ACGME-accredited psychiatry, neurology, child neurology, or ABPN approved combined residency prior to entering the brain injury medicine program. Training or exposure to brain injury medicine given to psychiatry, neurology or child neurology residents as part of their basic curriculum does not count toward the one year of training. All licensing and training requirements must be met no later than June 30 of the year of the examination.

The specialized training in brain injury medicine may be completed on a part-time basis, as long as it is not less than half-time; credit is not given for periods of training lasting less than one year, except under special circumstances that must be approved by the ABPN Credentials Committee. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide detailed documentation from the respective training directors that outlines training content, duties, and responsibilities. Each case is considered on an individual basis.

NOTE: Candidates who applied under the temporary criteria who fail the examination may reapply for the examination after the temporary criteria has expired.

E. Examination Content
The initial certification in brain injury medicine will be administered via computer at Pearson VUE testing centers. Candidates are assessed in all areas of brain injury medicine. Full details regarding information about examination content will be available tentatively in early 2014.

F. Recognition of Successful Diplomates
Successful ABPN diplomates will be awarded a Certificate in the Subspecialty of Brain Injury Medicine and enrolled in the Continuous Pathway to Lifelong Learning Program (CP-MOC)

G. Maintenance of Certification
To renew ABPN certification in brain injury medicine, diplomates must hold a valid certificate in their primary ABPN specialty and complete the ABPN requirements for maintenance of certification (MOC). Learn additional information about MOC requirements.

American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc.
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