Earning Your AQH©

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Upcoming AQH Examination Dates

Stay Tuned. Next Dates Posted Soon.

For more information, please contact Susan Stone at [email protected]

How and Why You Should Get AQH©

Why should you earn the Certificate of Added Qualification in Headache Medicine© (AQH) from the National Headache Foundation?

  • Validation of a level of expertise in headache medicine to be recognized by your colleagues and patients.
  • Possibility of more patient referrals.
  • Enhanced credibility and the personal satisfaction of providing your patients with the best possible care.
  • Recognition of skills when dealing with managed care and government agencies.

 

For planning purposes: To be eligible for the AQH competency examination, a candidate must be a licensed healthcare practitioner who evaluates and manages headache patients independently, including physicians (MD and DO), physicians assistants, advance practice nurses, dentists, and clinical psychologists.

Each candidate must provide documentation of the following criteria regarding license, continuing education, and experience for each of the following three (3) areas prior to application:

1. License: The candidate’s license must be in good standing.

2. 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.

3. Experience: Meet at least one of the following four (4) options:
• A minimum of 25% of the time in direct diagnosis and management of headache in the last 36 months prior to application, or
• A professional who has completed an accredited Neurology residency (MD or DO), or
• A professional who has successfully completed an accredited headache fellowship, or
• At least one or more years of experience at either a headache clinic or Veterans Affairs (VA) Headache Center of Excellence (HCoE).

For more information, please contact Susan Stone at [email protected]

All fees for the examination are in U.S. dollars.

Provided the early postmark deadline is met, the examination fees are:

  • Under Review. Please stay tuned.

Maintenance of Certification:  For those that achieved AQH certification September, 2023 and before; you must renew every 5 years to stay current, and your license must be in good standing.

You have two options:

Option 1: 

  • Continuing Education: Completion of at least 50 hours over the last 36 months or at least 75 hours over the last 60 months prior to renewal, of AMA PRA Category 1 CME focusing on headache medicine.
  • Submit the certification fee:  $250.00 to Maureen at: [email protected].  She will contact you to safely allow you to pay by credit card. 

Option 2:

  • Reexamination
    • Pay the reexamination fee:  $800.00

Certification Awards

  • A sample announcement and support materials will be provided by the NHF to assist you in alerting your local media outlets, professional societies, and payors that you have received the credential.
  • Please submit a high-resolution headshot for us to distribute with a press release.
  • The announcement of AQH recipients will be included in NHF communications.

Apply for the AQH©

Currently under review.

Mail or fax the application required documentation, and payment (made payable to the National Headache Foundation):

Mail:
National Headache Foundation
1235-A Clybourn Avenue
Box #413, Chicago, IL 60610

Fax: 312-640-9049

Prepare for the AQH©

Those interested in taking the National Headache Foundation Certificate of Added Qualification in Headache Medicine© (AQH) exam can prepare by studying the following resources:

Be Recognized for Your Abilities in Headache Medicine

Almost 42 million Americans live with migraine disease and headache disorders. If you’ve worked in headache medicine for more than three years, be recognized for your ability to care for the most prevalent neurological disease in the world.

Here’s why you should earn the Certificate of Added Qualification in Headache Medicine© (AQH) from the National Headache Foundation:

Validation of a level of expertise in headache medicine

You will be recognized as an expert health care provider capable of providing quality care for people living with migraine disease and headache disorders.

Possibility of more patient referrals

You will be listed in the “Healthcare Practitioner Finder” on www.headaches.org, a popular resource where patients can search for certified healthcare practitioners near them.

Enhanced credibility and satisfaction of providing your patients with the best possible care

Headache and migraine are among the most prevalent diseases in the U.S. Know that you are giving these patients the best possible care.

Recognition of skills when dealing with managed care and government agencies

NHF will provide you with a sample announcement to assist you in alerting your local media outlets and professional societies that you have received the credential.

The AQH exam is currently under review

Take the AQH exam from the convenience of your home or office.

Upcoming AQH Examination Dates

Next dates posted soon.

For more information, please contact Susan Stone at [email protected]

Get More Info

Sign up and receive the application package or call 1-888-NHF-5552.

 

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