Training Requirements

For Candidates Who Complete Training on or After May 31, 2021

Commencing with neurosurgeons who complete training on or after May 31, 2021, there are updated requirements for being considered by the ABNS to be "tracking toward Certification," commonly known as "Board Eligible." In addition to the requirements below and passing the ABNS' primary (i.e., written, in training) exam for credit during residency, the new requirements are found here.

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 critical care relevant to neurosurgery patients taken in the first 18 months of training
• 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.

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 critical care relevant to neurosurgery patients taken in the first 18 months of training
• 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.
• Six to 12 months in an outside rotation in an ACGME accredited program may be counted towards the core 54 months of neurosurgery training. The program director must request credit from the ABNS prior to the rotation.
• Credit towards the 30 months of elective time may be requested by a program director for prior educational experiences, such as a PhD degree in a relevant subject, clinical rotations other than fellowships obtained at non-ACGME accredited programs, and neurosurgical training completed outside of the U.S., particularly if the resident is certified in that country. Written requests submitted by the program director to the ABNS must contain a complete description of the experience and justification of the request.

Seventy-two months of neurosurgical residency training in ACGME accredited programs under the direction of a neurosurgical program director. This must consist of:

• Forty-two months of core clinical neurosurgery, including 12 months as chief resident. At least 21 months must be spent in one program.
• PGY-1 must include a minimum of three months of fundamental clinical skills training (critical care, trauma and other rotations as designated by the program director); it may include up to six months of neurosurgery that will count toward the 42 months required.
• Three months of clinical neurology taken during the first three years of training, preferably during the PGY-1.
• Twenty-four months of electives, e.g., neuropathology, neuroradiology, research or additional neurosurgery, possibly in areas of special interest such as complex spine surgery, endovascular, or pediatric neurosurgery or clinical and non-clinical neurosciences.

• PGY-1, 12 months of fundamental clinical skills
• Twelve month surgical internship in an institution accredited by the ACGME, or Six months in surgical disciplines and six months of other clinical disciplines under the program director of an ACGME accredited neurosurgical residency. Up to three months of neurosurgery and three months of neurology may be included.
• Sixty months of neurosurgical residency training in ACGME accredited program(s) under the direction of a neurosurgical program director. Training must consist of:
  • Thirty-six months of core clinical neurosurgery, including 12 months as chief resident
  • Three months of clinical neurology done during the PGY-1, although that does not shorten the required length of training
  • Twenty-one to 24 months (depending on when neurology is done) of electives, e.g., neuropathology, neuroradiology, research or additional neurosurgery, possibly in areas of special interest such as complex spine surgery, endovascular or pediatric neurosurgery or clinical and non-clinical neurosciences
  • At least 24 months must be spent in one program.

Written requests for credit attributable to an ACGME accredited neurosurgery residency program may be requested from the ABNS and the ACGME by the program director. All requests submitted by the program director to the ABNS must contain a complete description of the experience and justification of the request. Documentation of completed rotations and other supporting information should be obtained from the originating program and submitted as part of the request. Approval for training periods of less than three months will not typically be granted since they are of questionable educational value.

• Request for credit during an ACGME accredited neurosurgery residency for education completed during that residency:
  • 6 to 12 months from an outside rotation in an ACGME accredited program may be requested to be counted towards the core 54 months of neurosurgery training (as of July 1, 2013). The program director must request credit from and receive approval in writing from the ABNS prior to the rotation.
  • Training devoted to neuroscience education, critical care or other disciplines related to neurosurgery may also be acquired as a fulltime resident in ACGME accredited training programs (such as general and orthopedic surgery) that are in the same institution as the resident's neurosurgery program. This training does not need prior ABNS approval if it remains under the ultimate direction and control of the resident's neurosurgery program director.
• Request for credit during an ACGME accredited neurosurgery residency for education completed prior to the ACGME accredited neurosurgery residency:
  • Credit towards the 30 months of elective time during an ACGME accredited neurosurgery residency may be requested by a program director. For example, a program director may request one year of elective credit for prior educational experiences, such as a PhD degree in a relevant subject.
  • No credit will be granted for training in non-ACGME programs prior to matriculating in an ACGME neurosurgical program.
  • The board may grant elective credit for training done before entering an accredited neurosurgery program if the resident has completed substantially more than the prerequisite training in general surgery, neurology or the basic neurological sciences at an ACGME accredited program .

These provisions do not alter the basic minimum requirements, including the total requirement of 84 months of training in an ACGME approved program.