All post-graduate training must be completed as a resident in an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited neurological surgery program, under the direction of the resident's neurosurgery program director.
Effective July 1, 2025, all residents must successfully master the Neuroanatomy Exam to be eligible to register for the ABNS Primary Exam. The Primary Exam must be passed for credit prior to starting the chief year. Mastery of Neuroanatomy and passing the Primary Exam for credit are required to attain ABNS Board Eligibility upon graduation from residency.
Eighty-four months of neurosurgical residency training in ACGME accredited programs under the direction of a neurosurgical program director.
This must consist of fifty-four months of core clinical neurosurgery, including:
- Twelve months as chief resident during the last two years of training (PGY-6 or 7)
- Three months of basic neuroscience (e.g., neurology, neuro-otology, neuroradiology or neuropathology) taken in the first 18 months of training
- Three months of surgical critical care relevant to neurosurgery patients (e.g. Neuro ICU,Surgical ICU). Time spent in Medical, Cardiac, or Burn ICUs does not count towards this requirement
- A minimum of six months of structured education in general patient care (e.g., trauma, general surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology or plastic surgery).
- Twenty-one months must be spent in one program
- Thirty months of electives in areas such as neuropathology, neuroradiology, research, additional neurosurgery or possibly in areas of special interest such as complex spine surgery, endovascular or pediatric neurosurgery or clinical and non-clinical neurosciences.
Programs must request/receive prior written consent from the ABNS for the following:
- Requirements
- Submit a formal request letter, including brief details of the educational experience, location, rotation director, and requested dates.
- Attest that the resident will submit a written evaluation of the training, including contribution to career goals and a case log upon completion of the rotation.
- Note: rotations of less than three months are of questionable educational value and may not be approved.
- Requirements
- Chief resident year completed during PGY6 (after completion of prerequisites, e.g. neuroanatomy, primary examination)
- Submit a formal request letter, including brief details of the fellowship indicating the fellowship director, location, dates, and whether the fellowship is CAST approved.
- Note: only training at ACGME programs will be considered for credit
- Requirements
- Submit a formal request letter including brief details of the PGY level requested.
- Include original program director and coordinator information.
- Original program director/coordinator must submit the individual resident's rotation diagram by month, and attest to the dates the resident trained at the original program. All rotations must be clearly identified, indicating how the rotation is acknowledged by the ACGME and the exact dates that the rotation was completed.
Program Director/Coordinator: To submit credit requests, log into SMapply as an Applicant abns.smapply.org . Navigate to Programs (top right), browse the applications, and select the appropriate application for your request: “Away Rotation, Enfolded Fellowship, Prior Training” application. Note: The Requesting Program Director/Coordinator is responsible for notifying the ACGME RC.
For Candidates Who Began Training Before July 1, 2019, please contact the ABNS at abns@abns.org.
Learn more about Family Medical Leave Act while in residency and post-residency.
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