Subspecialty Certification

Brain Injury Medicine Examination Temporary Criteria Extended through 2022

The temporary rules for qualifying to take the ABPMR's Brain Injury Medicine (BIM) subspecialty examination — previously set to expire after 2018 — have been extended through 2022.

Typically with a new subspecialty (the first BIM Examination was in 2014), the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) allows current practitioners a few years to take and pass the examination while fellowships are established. Because a critical mass of BIM fellowships has not yet been established, recently the ABMS granted ABPMR's request to extend the temporary criteria for current practitioners and those who have undergone a non-accredited fellowship.

Now through 2022, ABPMR diplomates can apply for the BIM Examination via one of the following pathways:

• successful completion of 12 months of an ACGME–accredited fellowship in BIM after residency and recommendation by the fellowship program director, OR
• successful completion of 12 months of non-accredited BIM fellowship in a program affiliated with an ACGME–accredited PM&R residency training program and recommendation by the fellowship program director, OR
• completion of a minimum of three years’ full-time practice experience (within the last five years and beyond completion of residency), of which at least 25 percent of professional time is specifically devoted to BIM; practice should be adequately broad to reasonably reflect the full scope of BIM.

For BIM Examination administrations after 2022, all applicants must:

• successfully complete 12 months of an ACGME–accredited fellowship in BIM after residency, and
• be recommended by the fellowship program director for admissibility to the BIM Examination.

Next BIM Examination

The BIM Examination is offered every other year. The next BIM Examination will be in the fall of 2018; the application period is typically January-March in the exam year.

For now, click on one of these links to set a calendar reminder to apply for the exam in early 2018: Outlook | Google Calendar