Certification Application Submission Checklist

Before beginning the online application, use this checklist to review and prepare the information and attachments that will be required during the online application process. Complete eligibility criteria information is available on each subspecialty certification web page.

General Eligibility Information

Candidate Information
  • First, middle, and last name
  • Credential(s)
  • Birthdate
  • Home address and phone number
  • Work address and phone number
  • Preferred email address
Medical Education Information
  • Medical school name and location
    • Internationally Trained Faculty at a UCNS-Accredited Training Program applicants must have a medical diploma from an institution registered in the World Directory of Medical Schools
  • Education start and end dates
  • Degree received
  • Date degree was received
Residency Training Information
  • Institution name(s) and location(s)
  • Specialty
  • Training start and end dates
  • Number of months of training
  • Full/part time
Board Certification Information
  • Name of certifying board(s)
    • Internationally Trained Faculty at a UCNS-Accredited Fellowship applicants must be certified in their primary specialty by a competent medical board. Such a board may include, a) an appropriate board of the European of Medical Specialties (EUMS), or b) the medical board of the applicant’s country of origin, such board to be approved by the Certification Council.
  • Certification number(s)
  • Issue and expiration date(s)
Medical Licensure Information
  • State/province of license
  • License number
  • Expiration date
  • License restrictions, if any

Application Pathways

UCNS-accredited Fellowship
  • Name of UCNS-accredited training program
  • Start and end dates of fellowship
  • Number of months of training
  • Full/part time
  • Upload a copy of the Fellowship Training Verification Template Letter or a copy of fellowship completion certificate into the online application
    • Use template letter text provided on the UCNS certification  page
    • Template text must be on institution letterhead
    • Letter must be signed by the program director
Practice Track
The practice track option is closed for some subspecialties. Check the eligibility criteria on the subspecialty certification web page to find out if this option is available.

Must provide required information for one of three practice track pathways:
  1. Non-accredited Subspecialty Fellowship: Successful completion of non-accredited fellowship program that was 12 or more months in length
    • Name of training program
    • Start and end dates of fellowship
    • Number of months of training
    • Full/part time
    • Upload a copy of the Fellowship Training Verification Template Letter or a copy of fellowship completion certificate into the online application
      • Use template letter text provided on the UCNS certification page
      • Template text must be copied onto institution letterhead
      • Letter must be signed by the program director
  2. Continuing Medical Education (CME): Completion of required AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM specifically related to the subspecialty within the 60 months prior to application. Please refer to your subspecialty eligibility requirements for the total number to be submitted. 
    • Title of each CME program/activity
    • CME sponsoring organization
    • Start and end dates of each program/activity
    • Number of CME credits per activity
  3. Academic Appointment: Applicant holds an active, full-time academic appointment teaching medical students, residents, and/or fellows in the subspecialty
In addition to one of the three practice track pathways, the following additional information is needed:
  1. Practice Time Verification
    • Description of practice experience
    • Location of experience (city and state/province)
    • Start and end dates
    • Upload Subspecialty Practice Time Verification Template Letters from two physicians familiar with the applicant's practice into the online application
      • Use template letter text provided on the UCNS certification page
      • Template text must be copied onto verifying physician's practice letterhead
      • Confirmation of required practice time dedicated to the subspecialty
  2. Practical Expertise Verification for Neuroimaging applicants only: Upload one of the following:
    • Upload a copy of valid certificate in MRI/CT from the American Society of Neuroimaging
    • Upload a copy of the Neuroimaging Practical Expertise Verification Template Letter confirming supervised or independent written interpretation of 650 Neuroimaging cases, at least 500 of which must be in MRI of the brain or spine into the online application.
      • Use template letter text provided on the UCNS certification page
      • Template text must be on institution letterhead
      • Letter must be signed by appropriate CME programs, mentors, medical directors, or program directors
  3. Practical Expertise Verification for Clinical Neuromuscular Pathology applicants only
    • Upload a copy of the Clinical Neuromuscular Pathology Practical Expertise verification Template Letter from the applicant certifying that he/she has provided written interpretations of at least 100 nerve or muscle biopsies (with a minimum of 30 of either) during the 60 months preceding the application deadline into the online application.
      • Use template letter text provided on the UCNS certification page
      • Template text must be on institution letterhead
      • Letter must be signed by the applicant

Academic Appointment at a UCNS-Accredited Training Program
 Applicant holds an active, full-time academic appointment teaching fellows in the subspecialty at a UCNS-accredited training program
  1. Upload Academic Appointment Verification Template Letter into the online application
    • Use template letter text provided on the UCNS certification page
    • Template text must be copied onto institution letterhead
    • Letter must be signed by the department chair
  2. Practice Time Verification
    • Description of practice experience
    • Location of experience (city and state/province)
    • Start and end dates
  3. Upload Subspecialty Practice Time Verification Template Letters from two physicians familiar with the applicant's practice into the online application
    • Use template letter text provided on the UCNS certification page
    • Template text must be copied onto verifying physician's practice letterhead
    • Confirmation of required practice time dedicated to the subspecialty

Internationally Trained Faculty at a UCNS-Accredited Training Program
Applicant holds an active, full-time academic appointment teaching fellows in the subspecialty at a UCNS-accredited training program
  1. Upload Academic Appointment Verification Template Letter into the online application
    • Use template letter text provided on the UCNS certification page
    • Template text must be copied onto institution letterhead
    • Letter must be signed by the department chair
  2. Practice Time Verification
    • Description of practice experience
    • Location of experience (city and state/province)
    • Start and end dates
  3. Upload Subspecialty Practice Time Verification Template Letters from two physicians familiar with the applicant's practice into the online application
    • Use template letter text provided on the UCNS certification page
    • Template text must be copied onto verifying physician's practice letterhead
    • Confirmation of required practice time dedicated to the subspecialty

Other Information

Special Testing Accommodations
Electronic Signature
  • Type name preceded and followed by a forward slash (e.g., /Jane Doe/)
Payment Options
  • Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)

Staff Contacts

Todd Bulson, Senior Manager Certification
[email protected]
(612) 928-6067

Becky Swanson, Operations and Executive Office Manager
[email protected]
(612) 928-6050