by Prof. Patrick Cras, UEMS-SN/EBN Member of the Joint Education Board
The European Board of Neurology (EBN) recently held another successful examination, with 147 candidates from around the world taking part. This year’s participants showcased outstanding expertise and knowledge, once again confirming the EBN exam as a benchmark of high competence in the field of neurology.
To acknowledge and promote exceptional performance, the EBN now offers a distinction for the highest-scoring candidates, giving the top ten candidates a full waiver of the registration fee for the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) congress taking place in the year following their exam. This initiative is designed to further encourage neurologists to sit the EBN exam and pursue Fellowship of the European Board of Neurology.
This year, due to a tie in the final results, a total of eleven candidates received the esteemed registration fee waiver. The recipients of the 2025 award are:
- Muhannad Ali Asiri (Saudi Arabia)
- Verónica Cabreira (Portugal)
- Camillo Imbimbo (Italy)
- Laura Couvreur (Belgium)
- Eva Maes (Belgium)
- Fien Oelbrandt (Belgium)
- Srividhya S (India)
- Jonathan De Winter (Belgium)
- Marijke De Troyer (Belgium)
- Austeja Dapkute (Lithuania)
- Alberto De Lorenzo (Italy)
Please note that the early bird application deadline for the next examination is on 25 January 2026. More information can be found on our website: EBN – European Board of Neurology Examination – ean.organd the European Union of Medical Specialists – Section of Neurology (UEMS-SN)/EBN website: UEMS Section of Neurology – European Board Examination.
The European Board Examination in Neurology (EBN), a joint initiative of the UEMS-SN and the EAN, stands as a critical tool for assessing and elevating the standards of neurological training across the continent and beyond. It is not merely a test of rote memory, but a comprehensive, competency-based assessment designed to certify excellence and promote the harmonisation of standards in European neurology.
The examination is based on the European Training Requirements for Neurology (ETRN), aiming to ensure that candidates who have (nearly) completed a national training programme and have at least three years of clinical neurology experience are adequately prepared. Successful completion confers the esteemed title of Fellow of the European Board of Neurology (FEBN), a globally recognised distinguishing mark of excellence, though it currently carries no legal consequences for the right to practice.
Structure of the Competency-Based Assessment
The EBN examination is a rigorous, two-part online assessment designed to evaluate competencies across the professional roles adopted by UEMS: Medical Expert, Communicator, Scholar, Health Advocate, and Professional. The overall grade is a summary of the results from four distinct components.
1. Written Examination (70% of Final Mark)
The written part is a three-session, four-hour examination featuring approximately 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) on general neurological topics aligned with the ETRN. Its objective is to test both foundational knowledge and the efficient handling of information.
2. Oral Examination (30% of Final Mark)
The oral examination focuses on presentation skills, communication, and the ability to discuss complex ethical and scientific issues. It comprises three submissions, which must all deal with topics from different fields of neurology to ensure breadth of knowledge.
Significance for Neurologists and Educators
For a practicing neurologist who lectures frequently, the EBN examination provides high-value material and a unique professional advantage.
The EBN examination is a challenging yet rewarding assessment that validates a neurologist’s expertise, demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning and adherence to the highest professional and scientific standards, and thereby contributes directly to the quality of neurological care across the globe.
