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Neuromuscular Medicine Article-Based Continuing Certification

NMM ABCC Now Available for ABPMR Diplomates

Administered by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN), the Neuromuscular Medicine Article-Based Continuing Certification pathway, or NMM ABCC, provides eligible diplomates with an online, article-based alternative to completing the traditional high-stakes NMM examination.

During each five-year NMM certification cycle, diplomates must satisfy the NMM assessment requirement by successfully completing the ABCC pathway.

Eligibility

Continuing Certification

ABCC is the required assessment pathway for eligible, currently certified NMM diplomates.

Following successful NMM recertification, diplomates begin a new five-year certification cycle. During that cycle, they must enroll in ABCC between Years One and Four. The diplomate’s available assessment block and completion deadline are determined according to the certification cycle and the block assignment established by ABPN.

Phase-In Eligibility

During the initial phase-in, enrollment availability is based on the diplomate’s current NMM certification expiration year.

Current NMM Certification Expiration First Year Available to Enroll
2028 - 2031 2027
2032 2028
2033 2029
2034 2030
2035 2031

Diplomates in the phase-in group may participate in ABCC through the final year of their current certification, subject to their assigned completion deadline.

Successful completion of ABCC during this phase-in period will satisfy the assessment requirement of the current 10-year cycle and a new five-year certification cycle will begin the year following the current cycle’s end date.

Initial Certification

ABCC is not available for initial certification in NMM. Candidates seeking initial NMM certification must take and pass the one-day initial certification examination.

Format and Participation Guidelines

  • Three-Year Assessment Block

    The ABCC pathway consists of a three-year assessment block that includes:

    • 20 articles
    • Associated untimed assessment questions
    • Online, self-paced participation
    • A requirement to complete the assessments and meet the passing standard by the applicable deadline

    Although the assessment block may extend for up to three years, diplomates may complete the articles and questions sooner. Completing the work early does not end the diplomate’s enrollment in the assigned block.

  • Enrollment and Completion Deadlines

    All ABCC requirements must be completed, and the passing standard must be met, no later than the end of Year Four of the five-year certification cycle.

    Enrollment Year Required Completion Deadline
    Year 1 End of Year 3
    Year 2 End of Year 4
    Year 3 End of Year 4
    Year 4 End of Year 4

    Diplomates enrolling later in the cycle have less time to complete the assessment block.

  • Completing the Assessments

    • Assessments are accessed online through the ABPN Physician Portal.
    • Questions are open book and are based directly on the selected article.
    • Questions are not timed after an article assessment has been opened.
    • A diplomate may log in and out before submitting the assessment.
    • Once an article assessment is opened, it must be completed before another article assessment may be opened.
    • Diplomates should obtain and read the article before opening its assessment.
    • Diplomates may discuss the articles, but sharing assessment questions or answers is prohibited.

    Participation tip

    Confirm that you can access the article before opening the associated questions. An opened assessment cannot be closed or replaced simply because the article was opened unintentionally or was unavailable.

  • Enrollment Fee

    The one-time ABCC enrollment fee is $1,150. A $250 late fee applies when a diplomate enrolls after the final registration deadline of Year Two of a five-year certification cycle.

Scoring and Performance Feedback

Each article assessment contains five questions. To pass an article assessment, the diplomate must answer at least four of the five questions correctly on the first submission. Responses may be reviewed and changed before final submission, but changed answers must be saved to be recorded.

Results and Progress

  • Results are available online after answers are submitted.

  • Diplomates can monitor their progress through the ABPN Physician Portal.

  • The platform may display a pass or fail status as soon as a final determination can be made.

  • Successful completion of the assigned ABCC block satisfies the NMM assessment requirement for the five-year cycle.

Question Feedback

  • Diplomates may submit feedback about a question through the assessment platform. Feedback is reviewed by the appropriate examination committee. If a question is subsequently revised and rescoring affects a participant’s result, the participant will be notified.

One-Day Examination for Re-Entry

Diplomates who do not participate in ABCC must take and pass the one-day, high-stakes NMM examination to satisfy the assessment requirement.

Diplomates who do not enroll in ABCC or do not meet the ABCC passing standard by the end of Year 4 must take and pass the NMM Re-Entry Examination during Year 5.

Re-Entry

Regaining an Expired NMM Certification

A diplomate whose NMM certification expires without successful completion of the applicable assessment requirement must pass the one-day NMM Re-Entry Examination in accordance with the ABPMR Reinstatement Policy for subspecialty certification.

ABCC cannot be used to regain an expired NMM certification. Diplomates seeking to reinstate an expired certification must follow the applicable ABPMR reinstatement requirements and pass the NMM Re-Entry Examination.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is NMM ABCC?

    NMM ABCC is an online, article-based pathway that eligible diplomates must use to satisfy the NMM continuing certification assessment requirement instead of taking the one-day NMM examination.

  • Is NMM ABCC required?

    Yes. All currently certified NMM diplomates are expected to participate.

  • Is ABCC available for initial NMM certification?

    No. Candidates seeking initial NMM certification must take the applicable proctored, computerized initial certification examination.

  • Can I use ABCC to regain an expired NMM certification?

    No. Diplomates seeking to regain an expired NMM certification must pass the one-day NMM Re-Entry Examination and meet the applicable ABPMR reinstatement requirements.

  • When may I enroll in ABCC?

    During a standard five-year certification cycle, an eligible diplomate may enroll between Years 1 and 4. Phase-in availability depends on the expiration year of the diplomate’s current NMM certification.

  • How long do I have to complete ABCC?

    The ABCC assessment block may provide up to three years for completion, but all requirements must be completed and the passing standard met by the end of Year 4 of the five-year certification cycle. A diplomate who enrolls during Year 3 or Year 4 will therefore have less than three full years to complete the requirements.

  • How many articles must I complete?

    The NMM ABCC assessment block includes 20 articles and their associated assessment questions.

  • Are the questions timed?

    No. After an article assessment has been opened, the five questions are not timed. Diplomates may log in and out before submitting their answers.

  • Is ABCC open book?

    Yes. Diplomates may refer to the article while answering the questions. The questions are based on information presented in the article.

  • Can I open more than one article assessment at a time?

    No. Once an article assessment is opened, it must be completed before another assessment can be opened. Diplomates should access and read the article before opening its questions.

  • May I discuss the articles with colleagues?

    Diplomates may discuss the articles. However, assessment questions and answers may not be shared or discussed.

  • When will I receive my results?

    Results are provided online after an assessment is submitted, and diplomates can track their progress through the ABPN Physician Portal.

  • What happens if I do not successfully complete ABCC?

    A diplomate who does not enroll or does not meet the passing standard by the end of Year 4 must take and pass the NMM Re-Entry Examination in Year 5 to recertify.

  • Can I leave ABCC and take the examination instead?

    All NMM diplomates are required to participate in ABCC. Those who do not participate or meet the ABCC passing standard are required to pay the outstanding ABCC fee in addition to the required Re-Entry Examination.

  • What is the ABCC fee?

    The one-time enrollment fee is $1,150. A $250 late fee applies when enrolling after the final registration deadline of Year 2 of a five-year certification cycle.