The ABNM written examination is administered by the Professional Testing Corporation (PTC) twice a year.
Application
All application documents, must be attached to an email and sent to Sherry Frier at PTC (sfrier@ptcny.com) by the examination application deadline. Each application must include all six application forms completed, your resume and the ABNM checklist.
To read the details of the application process in our Policies and Procedures manual click the button below. The Application Forms can be found at the top of the page.
Preparation
The written examination comprises of the following topics with their percentage representation.
I.BASIC NEUROSCIENCE… 27.6%
II. SIGNAL ACQUISITION AND PROCESSING…4.8%
III. ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY (EEG)…9.6%
IV. SENSORY EVOKED POTENTIALS… 23.6%
V. MOTOR POTENTIALS …24.4%
VI. EFFECTS OF ANESTHESIA …10.0%
ABNM does not endorse a specific study guide, but you can find a list of study material by clicking on the button below. Sample questions can also be found by clicking here and scrolling to the bottom.
What to Expect
Six weeks prior to the start of the testing period PTC will email you (from notices@ptcny.com) your Scheduling Authorization. This will tell you how to schedule your examination.
Candidates do not need to present their Scheduling Authorization so you can delete that. You can add a sentence after reference material such as Prometric provides lockers to store your cell phones, bags, coats, etc.
You will have four hours to complete 250 questions. The questions are multiple choice with only a single correct answer. All questions are of the “A -type” (pick the one best answer from 4-5 possible answers). There are no “K-type” questions, which have multiple correct choices listed [i.e., answer (a) if choices 1, 2, 3 are correct, (b) if choices 1 & 3 are correct, etc.].
For more details on the testing experience, review the Prometric exam software tutorial: https://ptcny.com/pdf/prometricsoftwaretutorial.pdf .
Some questions are simple recognition of knowledge and others are scenario based (i.e. questions revolving around a short case presentation). Questions will also evaluate your ability to accurately interpret data and form a differential diagnosis. You will not be able to ask questions about the content of the exam.
You will receive notification if you passed within six week. Read our Policy and Procedures manual for more details.
TEST ACCOMMODATIONS
ABNM and PTC support the intent of and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and will take steps reasonably necessary to make testing accessible to persons with disabilities covered under the ADA. According to the ADA, an individual with a disability is a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity (such as seeing, hearing, learning, reading, concentrating, walking) or a major bodily function (such as neurological, endocrine, or digestive system).
The information you provide and any documentation regarding your disability and test accommodations is confidential and is not included in scoring or reporting.
All approved testing accommodations must maintain the psychometric nature and security of the examination. Accommodations that fundamentally alter the nature or security of the exam will not be granted. Note that accommodations for an examination (test accommodations) may not be the same as accommodations provided by your employer for your job. You can find more information about testing accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (www.ada.gov).
Requests for Test Accommodations must be uploaded with the candidate’s application and fees at least 8 weeks before the start of your testing period. You must complete and upload both Part 1 and Part 2 of this Form at the same time. Missing information or incomplete Forms will result in a delay in processing. If your Form is incomplete and/or not received at least 8 weeks before the start of the testing period, we cannot guarantee that we can make these test accommodations in time for you to test and you may need to transfer to another testing period and pay the transfer fee.
To request test accommodations, follow these 4 steps:
1. Download the Request for Test Accommodations Form, available from www.ptcny.com or by calling PTC at (212) 356-0660.
2. Complete Test Accommodations Form with your doctor/healthcare professional.
3. Upload the completed and signed Request for Test Accommodations Form with the online exam application. Submit your application at least 8 weeks prior to the start of your chosen testing period.
NOTES:
• Only those requests made and received on the official Request for Test Accommodations Form will be reviewed.
• All requests must be made at the time of application. Accommodations cannot be added to an existing exam appointment.
• Do not go to www.prometric.com or contact Prometric to request test accommodations as they are not authorized to approve accommodations. All requests for test accommodations must be submitted on the PTC Request Form.
• If you need to use your cell phone or another electronic device to monitor a medical condition, such as diabetes, please be sure to include this on Part 1 of the Request for Test Accommodations Form so that we can notify Prometric in advance.
• If you are a nursing parent and will need to use a breast pump during your exam, please complete Part 1 of the Request for Test Accommodations Form and submit it at least 8 weeks before your testing period to allow time to make suitable arrangements at the test center.
• Only pre-approved test accommodations will be permitted on the day of the examination. Test center personnel are not authorized to make any changes to the test accommodations on the day of the testing session and any such change may result in your examination score being canceled.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have submitted an application in the past. Do I need to resubmit everything?
Yes. The testing center PTC does not keep records of prior applications.
What will happen if my application is not complete?
If you submit prior to the deadline and your application is incomplete it will be returned to you to provide the necessary documentation to complete it. However, only applications that are complete by the deadline will be accepted. A $150 portion of the application fee is non-refundable so make sure your application is complete!
What if I haven’t received my Scheduling Authorization email?
If you do not receive your Scheduling Authorization email at least 3 weeks prior to the start of the testing period, please call PTC at 212-356-0660 for a duplicate.
Why are the requirements so strict?
There were specific reasons for each of these required criteria that revolved around aspects of professional development and experience.
The acquisition of an advanced doctoral degree indicates the demonstration of cognitive, analytic and data interpretational skills and the mastery of an advanced knowledge base that distinguishes the individual at a professional level.
Since some candidates may not have completed a recognizable training program in neurophysiological monitoring that can certify the individual’s competence in the field, the criteria developed for the Training Neurophysiologist will serve as a substitute (i.e. direct and on-site training by a qualified and experienced Training Neurophysiologist as well as peer recognition of competence through participation in monitoring teams).
The Board decided to approach this peer recognition using documentation of substantial experience in monitoring with the recognition that a sufficient and varied case load with minimum numbers of required cases in each of six surgical categories should signal professional growth and maturation in the skills necessary for the comprehensive practice of IONM.
The attestation statement of two surgeons is used to confirm the level of professional maturation by this experience. This is congruent with the only published evidence that relates to competency that shows case experience correlates positively with patient outcome.
By the same toke, a minimum of 300 cases for which they had personally interpreted neurophysiological data is required with the additional requirement that their experience extended over a minimum of thirty six months.
The Board’s requirement for in person training by a qualified and experienced training neurophysiologist is intended to facilitate interaction, training, education and mentorship to assure that some component of the applicant’s professional training was received from a qualified individual.
Do you accept doctoral degrees from online degree-granting programs or institutions?
No. The acceptable degrees (e.g. MD, DO, PhD in science, AuD, DC) are almost invariably in-person programs in the US. These degrees assume rigorous, hands-on scientific and/or clinical training. While we will review any application with the appropriate degree, it is the position of the ABNM that one cannot obtain the requisite education and training online.
What if my degree program didn’t include courses in Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology?
In situations where courses have a title different from “Neuroanatomy” and “Neurophysiology”, the applicant must complete a request for course equivalence form and provide additional documentation of course content. Please see our Policy & Procedure manual for clarification.
What if I can’t find cases to monitor in a required category or subcategory?
The ABNM maintains strict rules to ensure that Diplomates are capable of monitoring the same breadth of surgical procedures to ensure a well-rounded ability to professionally interpret IONM. We are unable to alter our requirements to accommodate individual circumstances.
What is the definition of a Qualified Training Neurophysiologist?
For USA/Canada trained applicants, a qualifying Training Neurophysiologist is either an individual with Board Certification from the American Board of Neurophysiologic Monitoring (ABNM) or, a licensed physician who is Board Certified in Neurology (ABPN), Clinical Neurophysiology (ABCN) or Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR), or, by another medical Board specialty deemed appropriate by this board.
For foreign (i.e., non USA/Canada) trained applicants, a qualifying Training Neurophysiologist is either an individual with Board Certification from the American Board of Neurophysiologic Monitoring (ABNM) or, a neurophysiologist with a Ph.D. degree, or, a licensed physician who is Board Certified in their home country in a sub-specialty that is approved and recognized to provide interpretation of clinical neurophysiological data in the applicant’s country. Examples may involve sub-specializing in Neurology, Clinical Neurophysiology or Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, or, by another medical Board specialty deemed appropriate by the ABNM.
In all cases, the Training Neurophysiologist must provide evidence of a minimum of 5 years’ experience in intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) including at least 2 years of supervisory experience in IONM. An individual who functions in the capacity of a “reading neurologist”, or “billing provider” or “remote neurologist” or any similar capacity and who otherwise has not provided training to the applicant in the interpretation of neurophysiological
How can I check if there is a testing center near me?
PTC administers the written exam at test centers operated by Prometric, which are located throughout the United States, Canada and international locations. You can find test center locations at www.prometric.com.