CAST Certificate and RFPD Information

(Recognized Focused Practice Designation)

As of September 2019, CAST Certificates have not been issued to individuals. Additionally, CAST Certificates will not be accepted as a subspecialty credential for any CAST accredited fellowships that require a subspecialty credential.

The CAST pathway for Individual Certification in CNS Endovascular Surgery and Neurocritical Care has transitioned to Recognition of Focused Practice Designation (RFPD) being led by the ABNS in collaboration with other ABMS Boards. 

There was a CAST Certificate to RFP credential conversion application available to those individuals that had a CAST Certificate in CNS Endovascular, however, that application pathway closed as of December 31, 2023.

That pathway remains open for those individuals with a CAST Certificate in Neurocritical Care through December 31, 2025. Those with NCC CAST Certificates are encouraged to submit the conversion application by the deadline no exam is needed with this conversion application. Only neurosurgeons are able to obtain the RFP credential.

For more information, you can visit the RFPD page on the ABNS website here.

To request a CAST Certificate to RFP conversion application which is done on the SM Apply platform, please email abns@abns.org.

The RFPD credential is available is Pediatric Neurological Surgery, Neurocritical Care and CNS Endovascular Surgery.