Neuromuscular Medicine

When available, the Information for Applicants publication is located on the Information for Applicants page.

When available, the application for examination is located on the Applications page.

A. History and Statement of Principles
The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) and the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR), in concurrence with the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), established a Joint Committee on Certification in the Subspecialty of Neuromuscular Medicine on December 2, 2005. This was done to officially establish the field of neuromuscular medicine as a definite area of subspecialization in neurology and to provide a means of identifying properly trained and experienced physicians in neuromuscular 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 Board.

The examination will be administered to candidates from the ABPN and ABPMR 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 confer privilege to practice.

B. Certification Requirements
Please Note: This is a brief summary of training requirements and not intended to be all inclusive. Read the current Information for Applicants publication for all requirements for Initial Certification in Neuromuscular Medicine.
To achieve certification in neuromuscular medicine, candidates from the ABPN must hold a valid certificate in neurology or neurology with special qualification in child neurology and fulfill all of the following requirements:

NOTE: Candidates from the ABPMR should contact that Board for information regarding certification requirements.

C. Practice Pathway (Specific Requirements During the "grandfathering period" through 2012)
Applicants may qualify for examination by submitting documentation of successful completion of one year of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited fellowship training in neuromuscular medicine that did not begin before the time general residency training in neurology or child neurology, including time spent in combined training programs, was completed. Training or exposure to neuromuscular medicine given to neurology or child neurology residents as part of their basic neurology or child neurology curriculum does not count toward the one year of training.

During the “grandfathering period” (2008-2012), as an alternative to one year of ACGME-accredited fellowship training in neuromuscular medicine, applicants may qualify for examination in neuromuscular medicine if they can provide the following:

The specialized training in neuromuscular 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 2012)
Applicants for certification in neuromuscular medicine must be certified by the Board in neurology or neurology with special qualification in child neurology by February 1 prior to the examination administration. After the 2012 examination, all applicants, other than those initially approved during the “grandfathering period,” are required to submit documentation of successful completion of one year of ACGME-accredited fellowship training in neuromuscular medicine that did not begin before the time general residency training in neurology or child neurology, including time spent in combined training programs, was completed. Training or exposure to neuromuscular medicine given to neurology or child neurology residents as part of the basic neurology or child neurology curriculum does not count toward the one year of training. All licensing and training requirements must be met no later than July 31 of the year of the examination.

The required one year of specialized training in neuromuscular 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.

E. Examination Content
This 200-item, multiple-choice examination is administered by computer for four hours. Candidates are assessed in all areas of neuromuscular medicine: Clinical presentation; pathophysiology; genetics; diagnostic testing; and all aspects of acute and chronic management of disorders of the anterior horn cell, peripheral nerve, neuromuscular junction, and muscle. Examples of some of the more important or common conditions are amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, peripheral neuropathies (e.g., diabetic, inherited, and immune-mediated neuropathies), muscular dystrophies, inflammatory myopathies (e.g., polymyositis), and myasthenia gravis. The candidate is examined at a level beyond the training and knowledge expected of a general neurologist, child neurologist, or specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation.