Home PageRecognition of Focused Practice Designation: Neurocritical Care
The goal of the Recognition of Focused Practice Designation (RFPD) credential in Neurocritical Care is to elevate and advance neurointensive patient care for the public good. The RFPD is a formal credential for Board-Certified Neurosurgeons who successfully completed an accredited neurocritical care fellowship or met practice criteria. The NeuCC RFPD is approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and managed by the ABNS .
Pathways to Credential
There are currently three pathways to achieve this credential. The post-fellowship track is designed for individuals who have completed an ACGME, CAST or UCNS accredited fellowship. The clinical practice track is a clinical practice pathway designed for neurosurgeons with a sufficient portion of their practice dedicated to neurocritical care, regardless of graduating from a neurocritical care fellowship. Neurosurgeons holding a CAST certification in neurocritical care may apply to convert this CAST certificate to the Recognition of Focused Practice Designation credential in Neurocritical Care until December 31, 2025.
| Requirements | Post Fellowship Track | Clinical Practice Track |
|---|---|---|
| Current ABNS Certification | Yes | Yes |
| Unencumbered medical license | Yes | Yes |
| Letter detailing unrestricted credentials to practice from CMO or Department Chair. | Yes | Yes |
| Certificate of completion from an ACGME, CAST, or UCNS accredited fellowship. | Yes | N/A |
| Letter outlining practice and specific responsibilities for managing all critical care patients in the intensive care unit, focusing on those with various neurological conditions. | Yes | Yes |
| Practice attestation and proof of compliance with one of the following categories: 1. An average of at least 17% of clinical practice time spent in the practice of NCC (> 300 hour/year) for the past 6 years 2. 25% (> 450 hours/year) for 4 years 3. 33% (> 600 hours/year) for 3 years 4. 50% (> 900 hours/year) for 2 years |
N/A | Yes |
| Involvement with critical care organizations, groups, societies, meetings, publications, etc. | N/A | Yes |
| Passing score on the Neurocritical Care RFPD written exam. | Yes | Yes* |
| Approved RFPD application. | Yes | Yes** |
* Preliminary submission of a letter for the clinical practice track, detailing current practices and neurocritical care responsibilities, is required to confirm candidate eligibility before taking the written exam.
** A complete application must be submitted within three years of passing the RFPD written exam.
Graduates of a Neurocritical Care fellowship are eligible to take the Neurocritical Care RFP written examination prior to completing their residency. Upon passing the examination, candidates may receive a letter indicating they are "Tracking towards RFP." After successfully passing the ABNS Oral Board examination, with a focus on Neurocritical Care, and achieving board certification, they may submit their RFP application for review. Candidates have a three-year window from the date of board certification to submit their RFP 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 instructions below to access the application:
1. Select “Applicant”
2. Click “Programs” in the top right black bar
3. Select “RFPD NeuCC Application” Practice Application: Neurocritical Care”
4. Click “More”
5. Select green “Apply” button
Application Fee: $500
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. An email with instructions on how to register will be sent to all applicants.
Exam ScheduleExam Registration Fee: $2000
Exam Study Materials
| Neurocritical Care Board Review: Questions and Answers, Second Edition |
Mayo Clinic Critical Care and Neurocritical Care Board Review (Mayo Clinic Scientific Press) |
The NeuroICU Board Review |
Neurocritical Care (Pittsburgh Critical Care Medicine) |
The Jefferson Manual for Neurocritical Care |
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It is the responsibility of the credential holder to inform the ABNS of any changes in contact information. Adding a delegate to your MyABNS account is a helpful option to ensure your Continuing Certification (CC) and personal information remain current.
The following tasks are all required to maintain your RFP credential. (Available by logging into your MyABNS profile)
- Completion of the Neurocritical Care Adaptive Learning Tool.
- Completion of attestation that at least 17% of the RFPD holder’s practice is focused in neurocritical care.
- ABNS certification remains in good standing.
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 in writing of your intention to complete the reinstatement process.
- Submit a reinstatement fee of $2,500.
- Register for and pass the RFPD written examination.
- Submit a letter to the Neurocritical Care credentialing committee from your chief of staff or chair attesting to a minimum of 17% focused practice in neurocritical care and your professional standing.
- Ensure you are current in all Continuing Certification requirements.
Committee members serve a 3-year term renewable one time for a total of 6 years. Responsibilities of the committee include:
- Define the criteria for the Neurocritical Care RFPD credential (NeuCC).
- Set the eligibility criteria for the Clinical Practice Track pathway.
- Write, revise, and update the Neurocritical Care (NeuCC) RFPD written examination.
- Award credentials upon approval of RFPD applications.
- Develop the Adaptive Learning Tools required for RFPD holders to maintain their credentials.
- Evaluate questions submitted by credentialed RFP holders for the written examination and Adaptive Learning Tools.
- Collaborate with the ABNS to manage disciplinary or credentialing hearings and actions as needed.
NCC Membership
| Name | Institution | Term Start | Term End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| J. Chris Zacko (Chair) | Penn State | 2022 | 2025 |
| Nicholas Brandmeir | West Virginia University | 2024 | 2027 |
| Andrew Carlson | University of New Mexico | 2022 | 2025 |
| Jamie Ullman | Hofstra/Northwell | 2023 | 2026 |
| Jefferson Chen | UC Irvine | 2021 | 2024 |
| Gary Schwartzbauer | University of Maryland | 2024 | 2027 |
| Perry Ball | Dartmouth Hitchcock | 2022 | 2025 |
ACGME: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
UCNS: United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties
CAST: The Committee on Advanced Subspecialty Training