The key function of specialty board certification and therefore the mission of the ABPN is to serve the public and the profession by promoting lifelong learning and certifying neurologists and psychiatrists to high standards of expertise. Indeed, patient surveys repeatedly show that they assume their physicians must regularly prove they are maintaining their skills to some independent assessor.

With this mission in mind, this session will provide an update from the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology, including its Continuing Certification program. The session will begin with description of the ABPN’s goals and recent activities, including its strategic plan, the new pilot ‘academic pathway’ as an alternate pathway to certification eligibility, potential upcoming changes to training requirements, and ABPN grant awards programs. The session will then describe the rationale for and key elements of the Continuing Certification program. Perspectives will be shared regarding how neurologists in academic settings can meet many of the continuing certification requirements through activities they are already doing in their careers. There will be time for questions and discussion with attendees as well.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the role of specialty certification boards as distinct from yet complementary to educational organizations.
2. Summarize the rationale for independent assessment as part of a continuing certification program.
3. Describe the core elements of the ABPN’s continuing certification program.