100+ Free ABPMR SCI Medicine Practice Questions

The ABPMR SCI Medicine subspecialty certification is awarded by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation to physiatrists who demonstrate expert-level knowledge in the comprehensive rehabilitation care of traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord injury. Scope includes ISNCSCI/ASIA classification, acute SCI management, autonomic dysreflexia, neurogenic bladder and bowel, spasticity, heterotopic ossification, pressure injuries, pulmonary management by level, pain, fertility/sexuality, wheelchair/seating, and community reintegration. The certification qualifies physiatrists for independent SCI practice at Model SCI Systems and rehabilitation centers.

Candidates must hold ABPMR primary certification in good standing and have completed 1 year of full-time training in an ACGME-accredited Spinal Cord Injury Medicine fellowship. A valid unrestricted medical license is required. Fellowship includes training in inpatient and outpatient SCI, acute rehabilitation, ventilator weaning, neurogenic bladder/bowel, urodynamics interpretation, spasticity management (including intrathecal baclofen and botulinum toxin), wheelchair prescription, and research.

The exam is a 1-day computer-based examination administered at Pearson VUE test centers, comprising approximately 200 single-best-answer multiple-choice questions over roughly 8 hours (including breaks). Question stems frequently include ISNCSCI worksheets, urodynamic tracings, clinical images (pressure injuries, heterotopic ossification XR/bone scan), MRI cord imaging, and clinical vignettes. The exam blueprint covers ISNCSCI/ASIA, acute and chronic SCI management, complications, and psychosocial/community reintegration.

The 2026 ABPMR SCI Medicine initial subspecialty certification fee is approximately $2,000. Cancellation and refund policies follow the ABPMR schedule with decreasing refunds as the exam date approaches. Annual Continuing Certification fees (LA-PMR Longitudinal Assessment) apply after passing. Retakes within the 7-year qualification window require re-registration and full fee payment.

ABPMR SCI Medicine is typically offered during a testing window in the fall (e.g., October-November). Applications generally open in late winter/early spring with a submission deadline in mid-to-late spring. Candidates schedule specific appointments with Pearson VUE after application approval. Exact 2026 dates should be confirmed on the ABPMR SCI Medicine subspecialty page.

ABPMR uses criterion-referenced scoring with a passing standard set by subject-matter experts (modified Angoff). A candidate's pass/fail result depends on performance relative to the fixed cut-score, not on other candidates. Score reports include subdomain performance to guide future learning. Results are typically released 6-8 weeks after the testing window closes.

Highest-yield: master ISNCSCI/ASIA examination (including neurologic level, AIS A-E, sacral sparing, and incomplete syndromes — central cord in elderly hyperextension, anterior cord worst prognosis, Brown-Séquard ipsilateral motor + contralateral pain/temp, cauda equina surgical emergency, conus medullaris mixed UMN/LMN). Master autonomic dysreflexia emergency management, neurogenic bladder urodynamics (DSD, CIC, botulinum toxin), NPIAP pressure injury staging and management, heterotopic ossification workup, DVT prophylaxis, and the 2023 AANS/CNS stance against routine methylprednisolone.

Use a structured 10-14 month plan during and after fellowship. Map to the ABPMR content outline: lead with ISNCSCI/ASIA and incomplete syndromes, then acute SCI (MAP goals, decompression, steroid controversy), autonomic dysreflexia, neurogenic bladder/bowel, pressure injuries, spasticity (oral meds, ITB, BoNT), HO, DVT, pulmonary, pain, fertility. Integrate PVA Clinical Practice Guidelines, Kirshblum/Lin Spinal Cord Medicine textbook, and ASCIP review courses. Complete high-volume MCQs with timed sets. Take 2-3 full-length mock exams. Drill ISNCSCI scoring and urodynamic tracings.