Home PageRecognition of Focused Practice Designation: Pediatric Neurological Surgery
The goal of the Recognition of Focused Practice Designation (RFPD) in Pediatric Neurological Surgery is to elevate and advance pediatric patient care for the public good by formally credentialing Board-Certified Neurosurgeons. The RFPD in Pediatric Neurological Surgery is approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and is managed by the ABNS and the ABPNS.
The subspecialty credential in Pediatric Neurological Surgery is managed by the ABPNS and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC).
Pathways to Credential
There are three pathways to achieve this credential:
- Initial joint certification: for neurosurgeons who are currently in or within one year of graduation from an Accreditation Council for Pediatric Neurosurgery fellowship
- Subsequent joint certification: for neurosurgeons who are
- Certified by the ABNS or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and
- Graduated from an ACPNF accredited fellowship, and
- <10 years out of fellowship at the time of application
- Alternative pathway certification: for neurosurgeons who did not complete an ACPNF accredited pediatric neurosurgery fellowship or are >10 years out of an ACPNF fellowship at the time of application
| Requirements | Initial Joint Certification | Subsequent Joint Certification | Alternative Pathway Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current ABNS or RCPSC certification | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unencumbered State or Provincial license to practice medicine | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unencumbered staff privileges in each hospital the candidate practices | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Certificate of completion of a post residency ACPNF accredited pediatric neurosurgery fellowship | Yes | Yes | No |
| Surgical Case log which demonstrates at least the minimum number of pediatric (age 21 and under) cases. | Yes, ABNS POST case log demonstrating at least 95 out of 125 pediatric cases over 18 months | Yes, ABPNS case log demonstrating at least 65 pediatric cases over 12 months | Yes, 5 year ABPNS case log. Each year must demonstrate at least 65 pediatric cases over 12 months. |
| Passing score on the Pediatric RFPD written examination | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Approved RFPD/Subspecialty Credential application | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Passing score on the pediatric focused oral examination | Yes, administered by the ABNS | Yes, administered by the ABPNS | Yes, administered by the ABPNS |
| Documentation of ongoing continuing certification (CC) by the ABNS or the RCPSC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Most initial joint certification candidates are identified at the time of ACPNF fellowship. The ABPNS will initiate contact with the Program Director of the ACPNF fellowship program and work with the candidate on the application process.
Subsequent and alternative pathway candidates - Any inquiries regarding the applicable pathway and application process should be directed to Kari Bollerman via email at kbollerman@abns.org
The RFPD written exam is offered annually in June. It is a multiple-choice exam with a two-hour time limit and can be completed either remotely (online) or at a local testing center. Registration opens approximately one month prior to the exam date for all candidates who have initiated an application.
Exam Schedule
Exam Study Materials
| Albright’s “Principles and Practice of Pediatric Neurosurgery” | Dr. Cohen’s “Pediatric Neurosurgery: Tricks of the Trade” > |
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The following tasks are all required to maintain your RFPD/Subspecialty credential. (Available by logging into your MyABNS profile)
- Completion of the Pediatric adaptive learning tool
- Completion of the annual surgical case log attestation that requires a minimum of 65 cases per year in children 21 years and under.
- Maintain good standing with the ABNS or the RCPSC.
RFPD holders will lose their credential if they fail to complete all Continuing Certification (CC) requirements for the RFPD more than once in any 10-year credentialing period. To reinstate the credential, the following steps must be initiated within two years of losing the credential:
Inform the ABNS/ABPNS in writing of your intention to complete the reinstatement process.
- Submit a reinstatement fee of $2,500, nonrefundable.
- Retake and pass the RFPD written examination.
- Provide a case log of 65 consecutive distinct patient cases with imaging and 3-month follow-up for peer review.
- Submit a letter to ABNS/ABPNS from your Chief of Staff, Medical Director or cChair attesting to your professionalism and a minimum 17% focused practice in pediatric neurological surgery.
- Ensure you are current in all Continuing Certification requirements.
ABPNS Directors serve a 10-year term. Responsibilities include:
- Determine educational and training criteria for pediatric RFPD/subspecialty credential.
- Write the pediatric written/RFPD exam.
- Issue pediatric RFPD/subspecialty credential upon passing of the written/RFPD exam, case log approval and passing of the ABNS pediatric focused oral exam or the ABPNS oral examination.
- Write the pediatric adaptive learning tool required annually by pediatric RFPD holders to maintain their credential.
- Review questions submitted by the exam committee of the ABPNS for RFPD and oral exams and the pediatric adaptive learning tool.
*Credential applications are reviewed twice per year: April for the June ABPNS BOD meeting and October for the December ABPNS BOD meeting
Current leadership of the ABPNS
https://abns.org/american-board-of-pediatric-neurological-surgery-leadership/