Longitudinal Assessment

Longitudinal Assessment

The AOBNP has transitioned away from the traditional 10-year high-stakes recertification exam  to a longitudinal assessment model for continuous certification of the Neurology and Psychiatry primary certifications. The longitudinal assessment will provide high-quality, effective evaluation while allowing greater flexibility for physicians meeting the OCC Component 3 requirement.

Starting January 2026, the Neurology & Psychiatry longitudinal assessment will be administered through, the AOA Learning Portal, our new Learning Management System (LMS). This transition is designed to improve your experience with a streamlined single sign-on process and a more intuitive user experience, while also enhancing operational efficiency by bringing this exam administration in-house, with convenient access from a computer, tablet or smartphone.

Registration

DIPLOMATES WITH A 10-YEAR CERTIFICATION

Diplomates currently holding an active primary certification in Neurology or Psychiatry must register for the longitudinal assessment annually. Registration opens in the fall prior to the following year’s assessment. Diplomates will be required to begin the longitudinal assessment in the expiration year of their current 10-year certificate.

NEWLY-CERTIFIED DIPLOMATES

Diplomates who have received their certification in Neurology or Psychiatry on or after Jan. 1, 2020, are not required to register and begin participation in the AOBNP longitudinal assessment program for one calendar after receiving their certification.

After one full calendar year following the issue date of the initial primary certification, diplomates will need to register for the AOBNP’s longitudinal assessment during the next available registration year and begin the longitudinal assessment the following year (i.e., A diplomate who is certified in 2021 must register for the AOBNP’s longitudinal assessment in 2023 and begin the longitudinal assessment in 2024).

Process

Annual participation in AOBNP longitudinal assessment is required. During each calendar year, diplomates will be required to complete an online assessment.

Beginning in 2025, you will be required to answer 30 untimed multiple-choice questions per calendar year. All questions must be answered during the calendar year in which they were issued.

NUMBER OF REATTEMPTS

If a question is answered incorrectly, the assessment platform will display the reference, rationale and correct answer. From January through November of each calendar year, you’ll have the opportunity to reattempt any questions you previously answered incorrectly. Please note that reattempts apply only to questions from the current calendar year. Once the segment closes at year-end, no further reattempts will be available.

Beginning in 2026, remediation will close on Nov. 30 to allow the AOBNP office sufficient time to process certification renewals.

Longitudinal Assessment Scoring

You must achieve a minimum score of 70% at the conclusion of the year in order to successfully pass the longitudinal assessment.

If you do not achieve a minimum score of 70% or fail to complete the required longitudinal assessment by the end of the assessment period, your certification may be placed in inactive status. Should this occur, you can contact AOBNP to discuss available remediation options.

Annual Schedule & Fees

• Annual registration opens: Aug. 1
• Registration closes: Nov. 30
• Annual assessment fee: $175 ($50 late fee applied after Oct. 16)
• Assessment completion window: January – November
• Remediation availability: Available seven days after completing your first attempt

Longitudinal Assessment Schedule (if initially certified before Jan. 1, 2020)
CERT EXPIRATION	REGISTRATION OPENS	REGISTRATION CLOSES	CYCLE START DATE
Dec. 31, 2021	June 15, 2021	Aug. 31, 2021	Oct. 2021
Dec. 31, 2022	Sept. 1, 2021	Nov. 19, 2021	Jan. 1, 2022
Dec. 31, 2023	June 1, 2022	Oct. 31, 2022	Jan. 1, 2023
Dec. 31, 2024	June 1, 2023	Oct. 31, 2023	Jan. 1, 2024
Dec. 31, 2025	June 1, 2024	Oct. 31, 2024	Jan. 1, 2025
Dec. 31, 2026	June 1, 2025	Oct. 31, 2025	Jan. 1, 2026
Dec. 31, 2027	June 1, 2026	Oct. 31, 2026	Jan. 1, 2027
Dec. 31, 2028	June 1, 2027	Oct. 31, 2027	Jan. 1, 2028
Dec. 31, 2029	June 1, 2028	Oct. 31, 2028	Jan. 1, 2029

Remediation

Please remember that remediation becomes available seven days after you complete your first attempt, so submitting your assessment well before the Nov. 30, 2026, deadline provides the greatest flexibility and helps protect your certification status.

For the best chance for success: you are encouraged to review the questions you missed during your first attempt including the references and rationale before attempting remediation.

Longitudinal Assessment References