This appeal process has been put in place to allow unsuccessful or rejected candidates an opportunity to express any concerns about fairness of the examinations. To activate the review process, the candidate must submit a completed appeal form no more than 30 days after the date of the exam, and explicitly state their reasons for concern, and why they should be granted leniency on the exam requirements.

Appeal Mechanisms

The chief examiner and the CSCN exam committee can give some leeway to the exam requirements under exceptional circumstances, if and only if there is adequate logistical resources to do so in that year. To begin the appeal process, an unsuccessful candidates will need to complete and submit an Appeal Request Form, clearly outlining the reasons why they should be exempted from the exam criteria.

You may submit an appeal under any of the following circumstances:

  • The chief examiner refused your application, but you feel you should be allowed to sit;
  • You failed your examination due to extrenuating circumstances, or otherwise feel the exam was conducted unfairly;
  • You do not meet all requirements to apply for the exam, but you believe you should be exempt from those requirements.

Review Exam Guidelines and Requirements

Specialty Certification Requirements

Candidates must have an FRCPC or equivalent certificate from the USA (or be senior residents in the 4th or 5th year of an approved training program leading to certification) in:

  • Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation or Neurology (adult or pediatric)

Candidates from overseas may be excused the certification requirement above if they are currently eligible to practice as a specialist in Canada in PM&R or Neurology, or if they are current fellows in a neuromuscular fellowship program in Canada.

Training Requirements

Before applying to write the CSCN certifying examination, the trainee must have....

  1. A minimum of 6 months training, where...
    • at least 3 months training was received within the last 5 years*,
    • the training consisted of either:
      1. One 3-month period of continuous full-time training, or
      2. Three 2-month periods of continuous full-time training.
  2. A minimum of 400 studies (where at least 150 are of moderate to high complexity) covering a full range of neuromuscular diseases performed during training.
  3. A supervising physician who is a current member of the CSCN or the ABEM.
  4. A well-maintained a study log, documenting their diagnosis's (including their complexity) and with confirmed by the supervising physician.
* If training took place more than 5 years ago, no fewer than 200 examinations must have been performed each year since training was completed.

Other Requirements and Guidelines