the ABPN requirement for eligibility for board certification re the first year states that:
"A full year of ACGME-accredited training in internal medicine, or as an acceptable alternative, a full year in an ACGME-accredited program in which a minimum of six months of training must be in internal medicine, the details of which must be documented by the training director. The composition of these six months may NOT include rotations in neurology, family medicine, or emergency medicine. To ensure that these six months constitute a high quality experience, they should emphasize progressive responsibility for the resident. At least two of the additional six months must be spent in internal medicine, pediatrics, and/or emergency medicine. For candidates entering neurology residency on or after July 1, 2001, at least two of the additional six months must be spent in internal medicine, pediatrics, family medicine, and/or emergency medicine. No more than two of the remaining four months may be spent in neurology."
in english:
A. a prelim medicine year
or
B. a transitional year that includes 6 months of Internal Medicine, 2 months in IM/Peds/FP/ER, and no more than 2 months of Neurology.
BUT BE AWARE: many of the top neurology programs will not accept a transitional year as the first year of training. even though a properly structured transitional year may be acceptable for the ABPN certification, many programs will only accept a prelim year of medicine. (for example, of the 11 or 12 places that I interviewed at, only 1 would accept a transitional year).
see:
http://www.abpn.com/certification/faqneurology.html#9
