Certification FAQs
What happens if I am currently UCNS-certified in NI?
Your UCNS NI certification will remain active for a period of time based on your completion of the
2025 C-cert requirements. The UCNS NI certification phase-out plan is outlined below:
- Diplomates who complete the 2025 C-cert requirements by December 31, 2025, will have their certification continued through December 31, 2027, with no additional C-cert activities, requirements, or administrative fees for 2026 and 2027.
- Diplomates who do not complete the 2025 C-cert requirements by December 31, 2025, will have their certification continued through December 31, 2026, with no additional C-cert activities, requirements, or administrative fees for 2026.
- Diplomates who have not completed the 2024 C-cert requirements AND do not complete 2025 requirements by December 31, 2025, will have their certification discontinued on December 31, 2025.
Am I required to complete the 2025 C-cert requirements?
Completion of the 2025 C-cert activities is required to continue UCNS certification through the phase-out dates stated above. The status of completion of 2025 C-cert requirements will determine when a diplomate’s NI certification will be discontinued.
Will I receive AMA PRA Category 1 credits and ABPN Self-assessment credits for completing the 2025 C-cert requirements?
Diplomates completing the 2024 and/or 2025 C-cert requirements will continue to earn the continuing medical education and self-assessment credits claimed after passing the C-cert knowledge assessment quiz(zes).
Will there be any UCNS NI C-cert requirements after 2025?
No. There will not be any C-cert activities or requirements developed for NI diplomates beyond the current 2025 requirements, and no administrative fees will be applicable for diplomates who have their certification phasing out in 2026 or 2027.
Can my UCNS certification be transferred to the American Society of Neuroimaging (ASN)?
No. According to UCNS policy, UCNS certification cannot be transferred or “grandfathered” to any other organization. In accordance with the phase-out schedule above, diplomates who have completed 2024 and 2025 C-cert requirements will have a certification status reflected as “Certified-Meeting Requirements” for certification verification purposes until the phase-out date consistent with UCNS C-cert requirements completed through 2025. The subspecialty of NI will officially be sunset as a UCNS subspecialty on December 31, 2027. At that time, there will no longer be active UCNS NI certificates and the UCNS Diplomate Directory will no longer include the subspecialty of NI.
What led to the UCNS decision to phase-out NI accreditation and certification?
The ASN notified UCNS in March 2025 of its decision to discontinue its relationship with the UCNS. After months of discussion, the ASN reconfirmed its intent to develop and administer its own certification and accreditation process and discontinue its subspecialty sponsoring organization support. At this time, without sponsoring organization support, the UCNS does not have a means to sustain the subspecialty’s accreditation or C-cert process. As a result, the UCNS Board voted to discontinue its role as a certifying and accrediting body for NI and create a phase-out plan for the existing NI accredited programs and diplomates.
Will UCNS be affiliated with the new ASN certification and accreditation processes?
No. The certification and accreditation processes developed by ASN will be independent of UCNS and not affiliated in any way. UCNS has not had any input into the ASN’s transition to or development of the new processes.
Who should I contact if I have additional questions about my UCNS NI certification?
Contact Bryan Hagerla, C-cert Manager, at [email protected] or (612) 928-6326 if you have additional questions about your UCNS NI certification.