ABPN Epilepsy
ABPN Epilepsy Subspecialty Certification Examination
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ExploreAbout this exam
The ABPN Epilepsy subspecialty certification is a board credential offered by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties, for physicians who have completed the requisite training in epilepsy and wish to demonstrate subspecialty competence. ABPN has been setting certification standards for psychiatrists and neurologists since 1934, and its subspecialty certificates are verifiable by the public and credentialers through the ABPN verifyCERT® system. This is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by ABPN; candidates should confirm all eligibility, scheduling, and content requirements directly with ABPN. The examination is delivered as multiple choice via computer-based testing at Pearson, and ABPN publishes an exam schedule and fee schedule that candidates should consult before applying. Preparation should combine a structured review of epilepsy fundamentals, EEG interpretation, neuroimaging, pharmacology, surgical evaluation, and special-population considerations with active question practice and review of missed items. Maintaining certification involves ABPN Continuing Certification, which includes an Article-Based Continuing Certification pathway; starting in 2025, the required number of article exams in that pathway is 20 every three years for each certification. Verify current domain weights, item counts, and passing standards with ABPN, as this profile does not independently confirm them.
What you'll study
About ABPN Epilepsy preparation
Who is the ABPN Epilepsy exam for?
It is intended for psychiatrists and neurologists pursuing subspecialty board certification in epilepsy through ABPN, a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties. Confirm your specific eligibility and training requirements with ABPN before applying, since this independent resource does not administer or endorse the exam.
What is the exam format?
ABPN examinations are multiple choice and are administered by computer-based testing at Pearson, according to the ABPN website. The source text does not state the Epilepsy exam item count or duration, so treat any specific number you see elsewhere as unverified until ABPN publishes it.
How long is the exam and how many questions are there?
Those values are not provided in the available ABPN source text, so they cannot be stated reliably here. Check the ABPN exam schedule and official Epilepsy subspecialty materials for the current item count and time allocation before you build a pacing plan.
What score do I need to pass?
ABPN does not publish a passing score in the source text available here, so no numeric threshold is given. Avoid planning around secondhand cutoffs; confirm scoring and reporting details through ABPN directly, and focus preparation on broad competence across all content areas.
How much does the exam cost?
Fees are not stated in the available source text. ABPN maintains a fee schedule and a fee structure FAQ on its website, so consult those pages for current amounts, and note that fees can differ between initial certification and continuing certification applications.
Can I retake the exam if I fail?
The retake policy is not described in the source text provided, so no attempt limits or waiting periods are asserted here. Contact ABPN or review its initial certification FAQs for the rules that apply to reapplication, scheduling, and any associated fees.
How long is the certification valid?
The source text does not specify a validity period. ABPN diplomates maintain certification through Continuing Certification, and certificate status can be checked in the ABPN verifyCERT® system. Review ABPN Continuing Certification requirements for the obligations that apply to your certificate.
What changed recently in continuing certification?
ABPN announced that starting in 2025, the required number of article exams in the Article-Based Continuing Certification pathway is 20 every three years for each certification. This simplifies tracking for physicians holding two or more certifications. Confirm how the change applies to your own certificates through your ABPN physician portal.
What study order works best?
Build foundations first: basic science, seizure classification, and EEG patterns, then move to clinical evaluation, neuroimaging, and medication management. Finish with surgical and nonpharmacologic treatment plus special populations. Interleave question sets throughout rather than saving them for the end, and review every missed item.
What are common failure modes?
Candidates often over-study pharmacology while neglecting EEG pattern recognition, imaging interpretation, and surgical candidacy. Others memorize drug lists without linking them to seizure type and comorbidity. Weak handling of special populations, including pregnancy and older adults, is another frequent gap. Distribute practice across all domains and simulate timed conditions.