Applications Open for Certification in Headache Medicine

January 16, 2024

The United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (UCNS) is now accepting applications for the 2024 Headache Medicine certification examination through April 1, 2024. 

“UCNS certification in Headache Medicine identifies the diplomate as a clinician with special expertise in the diagnosis and management of headache disorders to patients and colleagues,” said Jerry Swanson, MD, MHPE, former chair of the Headache Division at Mayo Clinic-Rochester, and chair of the Headache Medicine Certification Examination Committee.

The four-hour, 200 multiple-choice question certification examination will take place the week of October 14- 18, 2024, and will be administered online with virtual live proctoring. Exam content is broken out into five areas that include 10% focused on Epidemiology and Comorbidity, 20% on Anatomy and Physiology, 20% on Headache Classification and Diagnosis, 20% on Evaluation and Diagnostic Testing, and 30% on Treatment.  Approved applicants can begin registering for select examination dates and times beginning June 1.

The UCNS provides certification for emerging neurologic subspecialties. The UCNS was founded more than 20 years ago as a nonprofit organization that can provide a way for such subspecialties to develop standards and certify physicians’ expertise. There are currently 744 physicians in the United States and Canada who are UCNS-certified in the neurologic subspecialty of Headache Medicine.

Visit UCNS’s website for more information on eligibility requirements and to apply by the April 1 deadline. An extended application deadline of April 15 is also available with a $500 extended deadline fee.