RPNI Examination

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Pertinent CME must relate to neurovascular ultrasound (e.g., physics, principles, techniques, clinical applications, quality improvement, or lab accreditation) to qualify. This aligns with IAC-Vascular Testing definitions used when evaluating CME for medical directors or staff applying for carotid or TCD lab accreditation.

No. To be eligible for certification, a candidate must pass the Physics section and at least one clinical specialty section. Acceptable combinations include Physics and TCD, Physics and Carotid, or all three sections: Physics, TCD, and Carotid. Passing a clinical section without also passing Physics does not qualify a candidate for certification.

Member - $325

Non-member - $525

Physician in Training - $225

In the United States, physicians are not required to be an ASN member to obtain and maintain certification.  If you are a foreign practicing physician, you must become an ASN member to obtain and maintain your certification. 

No, since they had enough CME hours at the time they took the exam initially, they do not need to submit documentation of CME within the last three years. They do, however, need to submit documentation verifying their interpretation of whatever section they are taking (Carotid or TCD).

These are the most common type of credit. Other credits will be considered by on a case by case basis.

40 CME credits (or equivalents hours of didactics specific to ultrasound). They do not need to be AMA Category 1.

If one attends AAN, RSNA, or any other meeting, it will depend on what portion was related to ultrasound, or lab function.  It is often necessary to have them send in a list of the topics (copy of the program) for a meeting to document which are appropriate, if they wish to count CME from a larger meeting.

Yes. They must include a statement in their application materials stating that this is what they plan to do, and their certificate is mailed to them only after we receive their CME documentation from the meeting.

No, we do not require submission of individual case interpretations. Instead, applicants must provide a letter from their supervising physician confirming that they have completed at least 100 interpretations. “Adequate supervision” refers to the standard oversight structure in place within a laboratory that employs appropriately credentialed personnel. Applicants are not required to come from ICAVL-accredited laboratories, nor must their supervisors be ASN-certified.

ASN will accept studies performed by the applicant, provided it is clearly documented that the applicant conducted the test and prepared a preliminary report, which was subsequently reviewed by a credentialed MD at the facility. ASN certification of the reviewing physician is not required. The preliminary report serves as evidence that the applicant independently interpreted their studies. Supervision by a chief technologist is also acceptable, as this reflects standard laboratory practice in which the preliminary report is reviewed and approved by the most experienced staff member before final physician interpretation.

Generally, no. If there seems to be a special circumstance or extenuating situation then this may be considered.

No. To be eligible for certification, a candidate must pass the Physics section and at least one clinical specialty section. Acceptable combinations include Physics and TCD, Physics and Carotid, or all three sections: Physics, TCD, and Carotid. Passing a clinical section without also passing Physics does not qualify a candidate for certification.

The IAC Vascular Testing website offers a list of CME resources for physicians: http://www.intersocietal.org/vascular/main/cme_resources.htm

All three parts: Applied Principles of Physics and Fluid Dynamics, Carotid Duplex, Transcranial Doppler

- Two parts: Applied Principles of Physics and Fluid Dynamics, Carotid Duplex

- Two parts: Applied Principles of Physics and Fluid Dynamics, Transcranial Doppler

The answer depends on your fellowship curriculum. If your fellowship provides you with an opportunity to learn TCD at least for SAH and brain death, and you either performed or interpreted TCDs for these or other indications under supervision and continuously thru fellowship, this would qualify you to register for the exam.

Your fellowship director simply needs to state in the letter that learning TCD is included into your fellowship curriculum. One needs to have an in depth exposure to TCD (exam is tough on physics and hemodynamics).

This is not a board exam, so does not allow one to claim to be a “diplomate”.  It is also not an accreditation process, which is left to IAC-Vascular.  It is a certification exam, so all one can really say is that one is has successfully completed/passed the ASN Neurosonology Certification Exam, is certified in Neurosonology, or has an additional credential in Neurosonology (with specific TCD or carotid if only one or the other).