Yes. The testing center PTC does not keep records of prior applications. 

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!

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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

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.