Information for Applicants

Application Process

Review the Application Checklist for information and documents that are needed to complete the online certification application. 
  • Complete and submit the online application by the posted application deadline.
  • Technical assistance will not be available after 4:00 pm Central on deadline dates so plan your application completion and submission accordingly.
  • UCNS staff and Certification Council review submitted applications to verify eligibility and application compliance.
  • Application eligibility determination notices are emailed to applicants approximately 4-6 weeks prior to the registration period opening.
  • Examination results are mailed to candidates approximately 10 weeks after the exam. Results will not be given via telephone or email.
  • Certificates are mailed to candidates who successfully pass the exam. 
  • Please notify UCNS immediately or update your UCNS profile if your contact information changes. 
An appeals process if available to individuals who disagree with the UCNS's decisions regarding their admissibility to the examination, request for special accommodations, or negative examination determination. Information on appeals can be found in the appeal section of the Certification Policies.

Candidates who wish to withdraw from the examination must notify UCNS in writing. Information on exam withdrawals can be found in the refund section of the Certification Policies.

Reexamination

Candidates who fail an initial examination may repeat the examination up to two times within six years of their initial attempt. No candidate may take an examination more than three times. Candidates applying for reexamination are required to submit updated information where necessary and pay the reexamination fee.

​Medical Licensure

If any license currently held by an applicant participating in the application process is restricted or qualified in any way, full details must be provided to the UCNS. The UCNS may, at its sole discretion, determine whether to investigate the license and the information provided. The UCNS reserves the right to determine if the license fulfills this policy. 

Licenses that have been revoked, suspended, surrendered, or not renewed to terminate or settle disciplinary proceedings do not qualify as meeting the requirements for medical licensure, and all such licenses must be reported for review and consideration. The UCNS will determine if the situation is cause to deny an applicant's certification application, deny a candidate's access to an examination, or revoke a diplomate's certificate. 

Diplomates must continuously fulfill the policy on medical licensure. Failure to do so will result in loss of certification.

Applicants with Disabilities and Qualifications for Testing Accommodations

The UCNS recognizes that physicians with disabilities may wish to take the certifying examinations and will attempt to make accommodations for applicants with verified disabilities. Applicants who request accommodations because of a disability must do so at the time of application. The application and documentation substantiating the disability must be included with the subspecialty certification examination and be submitted by the subspecialty examination's posted application deadlines. 

General Information
The Board supports the intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act and will provide reasonable accommodations during testing to provide equal opportunity for persons with disabilities. Applicants are reminded, however, that "auxiliary aids (and services) can only be offered if they do not fundamentally alter measurement of skills or knowledge the examination is intended to test" (Americans with Disability Act, Public Law 101-336 & 309 [b][3]). To this extent, the UCNS will provide equal opportunity for persons with disabilities. Documentation requesting reasonable accommodations must identify the disability and provide a rationale for specified modifications to standard testing procedures. 

If the UCNS deems it necessary, an independent assessment may be requested at the expense of UCNS. Documentation and other evidence substantiating the disability includes, but is not limited to, the following:
  • A report diagnosing the applicant's disability written by a professional appropriately qualified to evaluate the disability. The report must be printed on the certified examiner's letterhead, with the examiner's credentials, address, and telephone number given in the letterhead or title. The report must include the candidate's name, date of birth, date of testing, and it must be signed by the examiner.
  • A history of the disability, including previous settings in which accommodations have been granted. Having had prior accommodations granted does not necessarily influence the decision of the UCNS to grant or deny a current request for accommodation. If there is no history of prior accommodations, the examiner must explain why current circumstances necessitate accommodations.
  • Diagnostic information about the specified disability using standard nomenclature from sources, such as the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and the APA Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders V (DSM-V). 
  • Specific recommended accommodations with a rationale for why each accommodation is needed. A description of any functional limitations associated with the disability is important to the UCNS's evaluation of the request.

The UCNS does not discriminate among applicants on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or marital status. ​

Review of Documentation
Each report is reviewed carefully before accommodations are provided. If the UCNS does not find appropriate and sufficient evidence to grant accommodations, the applicant will be informed that the request has been denied. If a request has been denied, a written appeal may be submitted.

Testing Accommodations
Testing accommodations may include, but are not limited to:
  • Assistance in indicating answers
  • Extended testing time
  • Large screen font
  • Large print examination
  • Separate examination room
  • Reader
  • Use of assistive devices

Nursing Mother Testing Accommodations Requests

The UCNS fully supports medically necessary testing accommodations for pregnant and nursing candidates. Examinees who are pregnant or nursing at the time of their examination may request an extended break time using the Nursing Mother Accommodations Form. Accommodation requests can be submitted at the time of certification application or no later than 60 days prior to the start date of the certification examination testing week.

Nursing Mother Accommodations Form

Irregular Behavior Including Unethical Behavior of Candidates

The UCNS believes that the ethics of candidates for certification are of concern. The following rules apply:

  • Falsification of credentials will be cause for the UCNS to refuse to admit a candidate to examination for up to five years.
  • The UCNS will consider legal action against anyone who forges a UCNS certificate, copies a UCNS examination, or otherwise uses them in conflict with copyright laws or in any other way violates the legal prerogatives of the UCNS. Such activities will be cause for the UCNS's refusal to admit a candidate to examination for up to five years.
  • Scores on examinations may be invalidated for reason of irregular behavior. Statistical analysis may be used to confirm suspected cheating. If an examination score is invalidated, the candidate may submit a written appeal within 30 days of the notice of invalidation in accordance with the Certification Appeals Policy. If an examination score is invalidated because of irregular behavior, UCNS will not consider the candidate for examination for a period of up to five years, depending on the irregular behavior. A new application, supporting documentation, and examination fees will be required.
  • Irregular behavior includes, but is not limited to, the following conduct:
    • Copying answers from another candidate's examination.
    • Knowingly permitting another candidate to copy one's answers on an examination.
    • Unauthorized possession, reproduction, or disclosure of examination materials or content at any time.
    • Offering any financial benefit or other benefit to any director, officer, employee, proctor, diplomate, or other agent or representative of the UCNS in return for any right, privilege, or benefit that is not granted by the UCNS to other similarly situated candidates of persons.
    • Not complying with proctors' instructions.
    • Disregarding time limits.
    • Bringing food, drink, cellular phones, pagers, books, study materials, personal belongings, or other prohibited material into an examination.
    • Making telephone calls during an examination.
    • Any other form of disruptive behavior, including repeated or excessive verbal complaints.
  • Notification of the UCNS action may be sent to legitimately interested third parties, including the American Medical Association, state medical societies, medical licensing boards, and appropriate specialty societies.

Revocation of Certification

The UCNS Certification Council has the authority to revoke any certification issued by it for cause or to place a certificate holder on probation for a fixed or indefinite period of time. If a certificate is revoked, a written appeal may be submitted in accordance with the Certification Revocation Policy.

Staff Contacts

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

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