About:
The Oral Examination is the second and final of the European Board Examination in Neurological Surgery. Successful candidates will be appointed as Fellow of the European Board of Neurological Surgery. It is a clinical problem
solving and patient management test. It is not a theoretical examination, unlike the Part I examination.
Case histories are given, and where appropriate, neuroimaging and other visual aids are shown to augment the presentation and development of cases. Candidates explain verbally how they would proceed to evaluate or manage
the cases and to plan and perform the proposed operations, if indicated. The examination, in the English language, consists of three parts, each lasting 30 minutes. 5-8 cases will be discussed during each part.
Each of the three sessions is conducted in an interview setting with two examiners; experienced neurosurgeons from a European country. During these three sessions the candidate will thus meet six different European examiners,
each of whom will give an independent score. One session is dedicated to an oral examination on operative neurosurgery of the brain and skull. The other session covers operative neurosurgery of spine and cord. In the
third session the topics to be discussed will be those that could not be adequately covered in the first two sessions.
The final, combined result will be sent by mail within 14 days following the examination. A candidate who receives a passing grade for this examination will be granted Fellow of the European Board of Neurological Surgery
(FEBNS).
If the Board finds that the quality of the best candidate's performance justifies this, he or she will be awarded the Braakman prize. Winners of the Braakman prize receive three years' Individual Membership of the EANS,
a voucher of €200 towards the purchase of any neurosurgery-related books and an invitation to attend the following EANS annual congress where the award will be officially presented (registration fee and accommodation
are covered by the EANS).
Who can take the exam:
Anyone who meets all of the following criteria:
Has passed the Part I Examination.
Has a Licence to practice neurosurgery (UK candidates are allowed to sit the exam in their final year of neurosurgical training if their training expires before the next year's exam).
When you should take the exam:
When you have a completed logbook of operations summary. A full neurosurgical experience summary is required (ie. from the beginning of training till present). A template can be downloaded here. Please note that lobgooks
submitted in another format will not be accepted. Candidates should have minimum of 600 cases, with a wide range of experience, in their operative logbook (at least 50% as lead surgeon - supervised or minimally supervised
or unsupervised) at the time of application for the clinical (oral) examination. It is desirable for candidates to have >1000 cases in their operative logbook.
How to apply:
Scanned copies of the candidate's evidence that the Part I Examination has been passed (place and date will be required) and a copy of their licence to practise neurosurgery must be submitted. Please note that candidates
are required to enrol and sit the Part II Examination within 5 years of passing the Part I Examination.
Examination fee:
€800 for neurosurgeons working/ living in Europe who are individual members of the EANS
€950 for neurosurgeons working/ living in Europe who are NOT individual members of the EANS
€1000 for neurosurgeons working/ living outside Europe who are individual members of the EANS
€1150 for neurosurgeons working/ living outside Europe who are NOT individual members of the EANS
Further information:
The European Board makes the final decision regarding a candidate's eligibility for the Oral Examination and potential certification after considering all available information pertaining to the entire process of certification.
Whilst Fellowship of European Board of Neurological Surgery certifies that the fellow has achieved a good level in the theory and practice of neurosurgery, it does not constitute a license to practise neurosurgery in any
European country.
There are 80 places available on the exam part II. If the exam capacity is full, the applications will be closed without any further notice. If you wish to attend please do apply asap.
Re-examination – Part II: Candidates who do not attain the standard required to pass the oral examination may retake this section within the next 3 years without having to retake the Part I Examination. For re-application,
an updated logbook summary and a new examination fee payment will be required. There is currently no possibility of re-taking this examination for the purpose of self-certification.
Cancellation policy:
Up to 4 weeks before the exam date - full refund except 10% for administration fee
Between 4 - 2 weeks before the exam date - 50% of exam fee cancellation charge
Less than 2 weeks before the exam date - 100% of exam fee cancellation charge (unless in exceptional circumstances).
The next Part II Examination will take place in Barcelona, Spain from 27-29 March 2025.
In case of interest for the exam Part II contact Visi Navarro.
Neurosurgical logbook template
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