Home PageRFP: CNS Neuroendovascular Surgery
Recognition of Focused Practice in CNS Endovascular Surgery
The objective of the Recognition of Focused Practice (RFP) in Endovascular Surgery is to elevate and advance patient care for the public benefit by credentialing Neurosurgeons, Radiologists, and Neurologists who successfully completed a standardized neuroendovascular training program and satisfied stringent practice criteria. This RFP serves as a formal credential for diplomates of the American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS), the American Board of Radiology (ABR), and the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). The CNS Endovascular RFP is jointly sponsored by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN), the American Board of Radiology (ABR) and the American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS). This RFP is approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and managed by the ABNS.
Pathways to Credential
There are two pathways to achieve this credential. The post-fellowship track is designed for physicians who have completed an ACGME, CAST or UCNS accredited fellowship. The clinical practice track is intended for neuroendovascular physicians who have dedicated a substantial portion of their professional practice to neuroendovascular care, irrespective of whether they have graduated from an Endovascular Surgery fellowship. Applications must be submitted within three years of passing the CNS Endovascular RFP written exam.
ABNS Certified Neurosurgeon
Post Fellowship Pathway Requirements
| 1. ABNS Board Certification |
| 2. Satisfactory completion of an ACGME neurosurgery residency including the ABNS requirement of 6 months of Neurointensive Care training. |
| 3. Completion of a CNS Endovascular Surgery accredited fellowship by ACGME, UCNS, or CAST |
| 4. Documentation of the first one hundred consecutive endovascular cases post fellowship including CPT codes |
5. Documentation of at least 250 interventional treatment procedures as primary operator over the most recent 24 months. Suggested minimums include:
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| 6. A passing score on the CNS Endovascular RFP written examination |
| 7. Approved application |
Clinical Practice Pathway Requirements
| 1. ABNS Board Certification |
| 2. Completion of non-accredited fellowship training or equivalent clinical experience |
| 3. A minimum of 50% of clinical practice participating in the assessment, clinical management, and procedural care of patients with cerebrovascular disease |
| 4. Case log documenting one hundred endovascular cases including CPT codes from any time period |
5. Documentation of at least 250 interventional treatment procedures as primary operator over the most recent 24 months. Suggested minimums include:
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| 6. Proof of licensing and credentials |
| 7. A passing score on the CNS Endovascular RFP written examination |
| 8. Approved application |
ABPN Certified Neurologist
Post Fellowship Pathway Requirements
| 1. ABPN certification in Neurology or Neurology with Special Qualifications in Child Neurology |
| 2. ABPN certification in Vascular Neurology or Neurocritical Care; or UCNS certification in Neurocritical Care |
| 3. Satisfactory completion of a CNS Endovascular Surgery fellowship accredited by ACGME (Neuroendovascular Intervention), UCNS, or CAST |
| 4. Documentation of the first one hundred consecutive endovascular cases post fellowship including CPT codes |
5. Documentation of at least 250 interventional treatment procedures as primary operator over the most recent 24 months. Suggested minimums include:
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| 6. A passing score on the CNS Endovascular RFP written examination |
| 7. Approved application |
Clinical Practice Pathway Requirements
| 1. ABPN certification in Neurology or Neurology with Special Qualifications in Child Neurology |
| 2. ABPN certification in Vascular Neurology or Neurocritical Care accredited by ACGME or UCNS certification in Neurocritical Care. |
| 3. Proof of licensing and credentials |
| 4. A minimum of 50% of clinical practice participating in the assessment, clinical management, and procedural care of patients with cerebrovascular disease |
| 5. Case log documenting one hundred endovascular cases including CPT codes from any time period. |
6. Documentation of at least 250 interventional treatment procedures as primary operator over the most recent 24 months. Suggested minimums include:
|
| 7. A passing score on the CNS Endovascular RFP written examination |
| 8. Approved application |
ABR Certified Radiologist
Post Fellowship Pathway Requirements
1. ABR certification via one of three pathways
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| 2. Satisfactory completion of a CNS Endovascular Surgery fellowship accredited by ACGME (Neuroendovascular Intervention), UCNS, or CAST |
| 3. Documentation of the first one hundred consecutive endovascular cases post fellowship including CPT codes |
4. Documentation of at least 250 interventional treatment procedures as primary operator over the most recent 24 months. Suggested minimums include:
|
| 6. A passing score on the CNS Endovascular RFP written examination |
| 7. Approved application |
Clinical Practice Pathway Requirements
| 1. ABR certification with subspecialty certification in Neuroradiology or Interventional Radiology |
| 2. Proof of licensing and credentials |
| 3. A minimum of 50% of clinical practice participating in the assessment, clinical management, and procedural care of patients with cerebrovascular disease |
| 4. Case log documenting one hundred endovascular cases including CPT codes from any time period |
5. Documentation of at least 250 interventional treatment procedures as primary operator over the most recent 24 months. Suggested minimums include:
|
| 7. A passing score on the CNS Endovascular RFP written examination |
| 8. Approved application |
To complete and submit an application please login at http://applications.abns.org
For first-time visitors to this website, proceed with the steps in the upper right hand corner to register.
- Once registered follow the steps below to access the application:
1. Select “Applicant”
2. Click “Programs” in the top right black bar
3. Select “ABNS Recognition in Focused Practice Application: CNS Endovascular”
4. Click “More”
5. Select green “Apply” button
The Endovascular exam is administered by the ABNS twice a year, June and December. 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 that have initiated an application. Candidates have three years to submit their application for the RFP after successfully passing the CNS Endovascular written examination.
Exam Study Materials
| Neurointerventional Techniques By: Cameron McDougall and others | Decision Making in Neurovascular Disease By: Elad Levy, Adnan Siddiqui, and others | Diagnostic Cerebral Angiography By: Anne Osborn |
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The following tasks are required for all to maintain your RFP credential.
- Completion of the CNS Endovascular Neurological Surgery annual learning tool.
- Completion of annual attestation that RFP holder has performed 65 Endovascular cases of which 20 cases are for interventions.
- Maintain primary board certification through ABNS, ABPN or ABR.
The Credentialing Endovascular Surgery Advisory Committee (CESAC) has equal membership of endovascular subspecialists approved by the ABNS, ABPN, and ABR. The term of service is 3 years, renewable one time for a total of 6 years. The CESAC chair is an ABNS Board Member.
Responsibilities of committee members include:
- Credentialing neurosurgeons, radiologists, and neurologists who have completed RFP training requirements
- Determine educational and training criteria for Endovascular RFP credential
- Determine grandfathering pathway eligibility criteria
- Write the CNS Endovascular RFP exam
- Issue credential upon RFP application approval
- Write the adaptive learning tool needed to be done by RFP holders to maintain their credential
- Review questions submitted by credentialed RFP holders for exam and learning tool
CESAC Membership
| Name | Organization | Term End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Hoh (Chair) | ABNS | May-26 |
| Adam Arthur | ABNS | May-26 |
| Clemens Schirmer | ABNS | May-27 |
| Stavropoula Tjoumakaris | ABNS | May-27 |
| Jeremy Heit | ABR | May-26 |
| Martin Radvany | ABR | May-26 |
| Matthew Amens | ABR | May-27 |
| Mahesh Jayaraman | ABR | May-27 |
| Sandra Narayanan | ABPN | May-25 |
| Lucas Elijovich | ABPN | May-25 |
| Sunil Sheth | ABPN | May-26 |
| Mouhammad Jumaa | ABPN | May-26 |
ACGME: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
UCNS: United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties
CAST: The Committee on Advanced Subspecialty Training