ABA Neurocritical Care
Neurocritical Care Exam
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ExploreAbout this exam
The Neurocritical Care Exam is one of the subspecialty examinations listed by the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) alongside the Adult Cardiac Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine, Health Care Administration Leadership and Management, Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Pain Medicine, Pediatric Anesthesiology, and Sleep Medicine exams. It is intended for anesthesiologists who have completed their core certification pathway and wish to pursue subspecialty certification in the multidisciplinary field of neurocritical care, caring for patients with acute neurologic and neurosurgical critical illness. Because the ABA presents subspecialty certification as a step taken "once certified," candidates should expect to sit the exam after their initial BASIC, ADVANCED, and APPLIED sequence. The published ABA source does not specify the exam blueprint, item count, duration, passing score, fee, or retake rules, so candidates should confirm those details directly with the ABA rather than relying on secondary summaries. Preparation should combine structured review of neurocritical care content with general critical care medicine, since subspecialty exams in this multidisciplinary space draw on both. This page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the ABA; all official policies, eligibility requirements, and scheduling information should be verified through the ABA's own published materials.
What you'll study
About ABA Neurocritical Care preparation
Who is the Neurocritical Care Exam for?
It is aimed at ABA-certified anesthesiologists who want subspecialty certification in a multidisciplinary field. The ABA describes subspecialty exams as something diplomates pursue once certified, after the initial BASIC, ADVANCED, and APPLIED exams. Confirm your specific eligibility with the ABA before applying.
What topics does the exam cover?
The source lists the exam by name only and does not publish a content outline. Expect material spanning neurocritical care and the broader critical care medicine knowledge that underpins it. Use the ABA's own materials for the authoritative blueprint rather than third-party topic lists.
How long is the exam and how many questions are there?
The retrieved ABA page does not state a duration or item count for the Neurocritical Care Exam. Those logistics are published in the ABA's exam-specific resources and application materials. Check there for current figures instead of relying on older or secondhand numbers.
What score do I need to pass?
The source does not publish a passing score for this exam. Scoring standards and any reporting details are set by the ABA and communicated through its official channels. Treat any specific percentage you see elsewhere as unverified unless the ABA itself states it.
How much does the exam cost?
No fee is given on the ABA page retrieved for this profile. Fees are set by the ABA and typically appear in application and scheduling materials. Verify the current amount directly with the ABA before budgeting, since published figures change between exam cycles.
Can I retake the exam if I fail?
The source does not describe a retake policy for the Neurocritical Care Exam. Retake rules, waiting periods, and any limits on attempts are governed by ABA policy. Consult the ABA's official policies and contact them directly if you need to plan a repeat attempt.
How long is the certification valid?
The retrieved source does not state a validity period for subspecialty certification. The ABA describes continuing certification through MOCA and references certification cycles, but the specific term applicable to this credential is not given here. Confirm with the ABA.
What is the best study order?
Build a general critical care foundation first, then layer neurocritical care content on top, since the two domains overlap heavily. Finish with timed practice and review of weak areas. Because no official blueprint is published in the source, weight your time toward topics you cannot already handle confidently.
What are common failure modes?
Candidates most often stumble by studying neurocritical care in isolation and neglecting general critical care physiology, by relying on outdated secondhand logistics instead of ABA materials, and by skipping timed practice. Breadth across both domains and familiarity with the exam's actual format matter more than memorizing isolated facts.
Is this page affiliated with the ABA?
No. This is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the American Board of Anesthesiology. All official exam details, policies, and scheduling information should be confirmed through the ABA's own published materials.