AQH© Most Frequently Asked Questions

Important: This FAQ covers the most common questions about the Advanced Qualification in Headache Medicine (AQH©) certification. If your question is not addressed below, please contact the AQH© Team at [email protected].

Note: Fees and policies are all subject to change. Current fees and policies: 7/15/2026

About AQH©

The Advanced Qualification in Headache Medicine (AQH©) is a high-stakes examination for U.S. licensed healthcare professionals who independently evaluate, diagnose and manage headache patients. It assesses competence in the classification, diagnosis, treatment, and management of headache disorders and related facial pain conditions.

The AQH© Certification is valid for 5 years. Ideally, the renewal process should begin at least 6-9 months before expiration. Once certification expires, you will have up to two (2) years for consideration to re-instate your certification.

If more than two (2) years elapses without fulfilling the renewal requirements, U.S. applicants must submit a new application, pay the application and examination fees, and pass the exam again.

AQH© certification can provide:
• Professional recognition in headache medicine
• Demonstration of commitment to the latest developments in the field
• Listing on the NHF provider finder map
• Credibility in headache medicine experience when seeking justification of treatment necessity during reviews with public and private payers

UCNS Headache Medicine certification is designed for physicians, primarily neurologists, and requires formal fellowship training. AQH© certification is for healthcare providers not eligible for the UCNS certification. Check with each regarding specific eligibility criteria. Both are high-stakes, rigorous examinations.

The examination is intended for U.S. licensed healthcare providers who independently evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage all ages of headache patients across a broad range of headache disorders. While some pediatric headache topics are included, diagnosing and treating pediatric migraine is a smaller percent of the examination. However, if you were actively diagnosing and treating 18+ patients for many years prior to focusing on pediatrics, you might consider if you have enough knowledge and experience to pass.

The proctored examination consists of 150 questions; content area includes 1) Principles of Headache Medicine 2) Headache Types & Classification 3) Headache Evaluation & Diagnosis 4) Headache Treatment Approaches. See AQH Preparation for Application – Fall 2026 for more details.

Eligibility Requirements

At this time, eligible candidates are U.S. licensed healthcare providers with prescriptive authority, independently evaluating and managing headache patients.

Each candidate must provide documentation of the following criteria regarding license, continuing education, and experience for each of the following four (4) areas with the application:

  • License: Copy of current license.
  • CV: Copy of current CV
  • Professional Colleague Letter (on letterhead)-verifying experience in at least one of the following options:
    a. A minimum of 25% of the time in independent direct diagnosis, treatment and management of headache for the last 36 months prior to application (or last 60 months if not continuous), or
    b. Completion of an accredited Neurology residency (MD or DO), and manages headache patients, or
    c. Completion of an accredited headache fellowship, or
    d. At least one or more years of experience at either a comprehensive headache center or Veterans Affairs (VA) Headache Center of Excellence (HCoE).
  • Continuing Education: Completion of at least 50 hours, over the last 36 months prior to application, of AMA PRA Category 1 CME focusing on headache medicine, prior to application. (Ideally 20 CME are in the last year).
    • Note: The Jefferson program at bit.ly/4wc2iOT is determined to be equivalent for 50 CME.

At least one colleague letter is required from a licensed healthcare professional colleague that is aware of your clinical experience. Additional letters may be needed if one letter does not fully document the required experience.

At this time, the AQH© exam is designed for U.S.- based healthcare providers and is not available ex-US. The AQH© committee is aware of global interest and will be considering in the future. If you were located in the U.S. for multiple years post-residency/fellowship and diagnosed, treated, and managed a U.S. headache patient panel, you might qualify for an exception. Please share specifics with [email protected].

Fees

The application and examination fee is $875.00 USD. This includes the Application Processing Fee (non-refundable) and the Examination Administration Fee.

The renewal fee is $250.00 USD and is paid online as a part of the renewal application process.

Applying for the AQH© Exam:

Applications are submitted online via headaches.org/aqh during the designated application window for each cohort. Applicants are only allowed to apply for the cohort in which they plan to take the exam.

Applications are open for Spring and Fall cohorts each year. Dates, deadlines, and the link to apply can be found at headaches.org/aqh. Applications must include all required documentation and payment.

All CME certificates must be scanned into PDF documents for upload within the application. If you attend a meeting or conference that includes education in multiple therapeutic areas, you must clearly identify the headache medicine education, and the individual CME units specific to each of the headache medicine presentations and/or activities.

Those interested in taking the exam who do not currently meet requirements may reach out to us and request to be added to a reminder list for a future cohort. You can apply when the necessary experience and requirements are fulfilled, and a cohort is open for application.

Exam Preparation & Other Details:

Recommended preparation resources include:

  1. The International Classification of Headache Disorders 3rd edition

  2. Comprehensive Migraine Management, by Teshamae S. Monteith (Editor), Nina Riggins (Editor), Peter J. Goadsby (Editor) – Published October 27, 2025

Springer-ISBN-10: ‎ 3031869222; ISBN-13: ‎ 978-3031869228

  3. Headache and Facial Pain Medicine, 1st Edition, by Sait Ashina.  Published October 10, 2024

McGraw Hill Medical – eBook ISBN(s): 9781264804986; ISBN: 9781264803125

  4. American Headache Society

a. Resources for Clinicians

b. Resources for Primary Care Practitioners

  1. Accepted applicants will receive access to the AQH® Review Guide, a study checklist that highlights key examination topics and provides links to relevant publications and online resources. It is intended as a navigation tool rather than a comprehensive guide.

The computer-based exam is available either in person at a test center or online using a computer at a remote location of your choice. For online testing, a compatible computer with a functioning webcam and microphone (built-in or external), and hard-wire connectivity are recommended.  A mobile device is also required as a second camera for online testing.

Yes. Candidates may transfer their exam method or location, but fees and deadlines apply during each cohort.
• Changes made before deadline date are free
• Later changes after deadline will incur a $125.00 USD fee
• Can only transfer once within same exam testing period

Yes, candidates must notify AQH© team at least 7 business days before their scheduled exam. Transfers to a future testing period cost $125.00 USD (non-refundable) per transfer and are limited to two transfers within one (1) year. Beyond two times, forfeit the $500.00 USD, reapply for $875.00 USD.

Results & Certification:

All applications are reviewed to ensure the application is complete and the applicant meets all eligibility requirements. The AQH© team will contact the applicant to correct any areas of deficiency. All applicants will receive an email notification confirming their application approval or denial 2-3 weeks after the application period closes.

Candidates who are approved will receive examination registration instructions included with their notification email.

A Pass/Fail email notification is typically sent within the first 2-3 weeks of the month following the exam.

Candidates who fail the initial examination may repeat the exam twice, offering the candidate three opportunities to pass. All reexamination attempts must occur within the next two testing sessions offered from the initial examination attempt. All re-examination candidates must submit an updated application, supporting documentation, and pay the re-examination fee of $500.00 USD for each of the maximum two additional attempts. If the candidate prefers to delay the third attempt, that is allowed, and the candidate will pay $875.00.

Stay Connected:

Subscribe for News and Updates through the “Plan Ahead for Your AQH© Certification” section on headaches.org/aqh.

For additional questions, contact the AQH© team at [email protected]