For Existing AQH© Certified Providers:

Maintenance of Certification / Update Contact Info
A circular badge with the text "Advanced Qualification Headache Medicine" around an image of a brain split in half and the initials "AQH" in the center.

Be Recognized for Your Knowledge in Headache Medicine

AQH© Certification recognizes your knowledge and experience in caring for the most prevalent neurological disease in the world.

Demonstrate your headache experience in the classification, diagnosis, treatment and management of primary headaches, secondary headaches, and painful lesions of the cranial nerves and other facial pain.

To be eligible for the AQH examination, a candidate must be a licensed healthcare practitioner with prescriptive authority who has experience in independently evaluating and managing headache patients.

Benefits of Advanced Qualification in Headache Medicine(AQH©) Certification

Validation

Recognition as a health care provider capable of providing quality care for people living with migraine disease and headache disorders.

Recognition

Provider Finder Listing on www.headaches.org, where patients search to locate certified headache providers near them.

Dedication

Demonstrates your dedication and commitment to the latest developments in headache medicine

Credibility

Increased credibility of headache medicine experience, when seeking justification of treatment necessity during reviews with public and private payers.

New AQH© Practitioners

Congratulations to the 18 healthcare practitioners who successfully demonstrated their knowledge and experience by passing the Fall 2025 Advanced Qualification in Headache Medicine (AQH©) certification examination.   

The National Headache Foundation is grateful for each of these practitioners who make a difference everyday in the lives of people living with headache.

    • Elizabeth Bechthold, FNP-BC
    • Marie Chambers, APRN
    • Rachelle Dustin, FNP-C, APRN
    • Tiffany Eslinger, APRN, CNP
    • Joseph Frazee, DO
    • Sarah Gilbert, APRN-CNP
    • Kristie Marie Harrington, FNP-BC
    • Gable Holderness, MSN, APNP, FNP-C
  • Andrea Kappler, DNP, FNP-C
    • Carol Kessel, DMSc, PA-C
    • Heidi Kling-Newnam, DNP, FNP-BC, AGACNP-BC
    • Vinay Bhushan Reddy Lakki, MBBS
    • Sandhya Nair, APN
    • Leah Natali, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
    • Jenna Rhoton, PA-C, MSPAS
    • Michael Stewart, DO, FACP
    • Elizabeth A. Williams, PMHNP, FNP-BC
  • Laura Xanders, FNP-BC

Earning Your AQH© Certification

AQH© Certification Timelines

Spring 2026

Step 1: Explore Further & Collect Documentation

January 1 – February 15, 2026

  • Review eligibility and exam requirements
  • Begin gathering documentation

Step 2: Submit Application Online (Spring 2026 only)

February 16 – March 20, 2026

  • Complete online application and location
  • Include required documentation
  • Pay examination fee

Step 3: Application Status & Schedule Examination

March 30 – April 17, 2026

  • Applicants notified of acceptance status
  • Accepted candidates schedule examination

Step 4: Take the Examination

May 4 – May 22, 2026

  • Access local test center or join online
  • Complete AQH© examination

Step 5: Results & Recognition 

June 2026

  • Receive notification of results
  • Recognition on NHF website & social media
  • Provided a frameable certificate

Fall 2026

Step 1: Explore Further & Collect Documentation 

March 21 – August 16, 2026

  • Review eligibility and exam requirements
  • Begin gathering documentation

Step 2: Submit Application Online (Fall 2026 only)

August 17 – September 18, 2026

  • Complete online application and location
  • Include required documentation
  • Pay examination fee

Step 3: Application Status & Schedule Examination

September 28 – October 23, 2026

  • Applicants notified of acceptance status
  • Accepted candidates schedule examination

Step 4: Take the Examination

November 5 – November 23, 2026

  • Access local test center or join online
  • Complete AQH© examination

Step 5: Results & Recognition

December 2026

  • Receive notification of results
  • Recognition on NHF website & social media
  • Provided a frameable certificate

Prepare for the AQH© Examination

Those interested in taking the Advanced Qualification in Headache Medicine (AQH©) exam can prepare by reviewing the following optional resources (this list should be considered as a starting point for your review):

  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
  5. AQH© Review Guide
    • Link will be provided to accepted applicants
      • This is more like a checklist – highlighting selected topics that are addressed in the examination
      • Links to publication and online resources
      • Not meant to be a comprehensive guide, just a navigation checklist tool
      • It highlights all of the resources listed above

New Candidate Eligibility

Eligible candidates are 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:

  1. License: Copy of current license.
  2. CV: Copy of current CV
  3. Professional Colleague Letter (on letterhead)-verifying experience in at least one of the following options:
    • 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
    • Completion of an accredited Neurology residency (MD or DO), and manages headache patients, or
    • Completion of an accredited headache fellowship, or
    • At least one or more years of experience at either a headache center or Veterans Affairs (VA) Headache Center of Excellence (HCoE).
  4. 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).

AQH© Certification Fees, Terms, & Policies

Applicants should review all documents prior to applying.

Apply for the AQH© Examination

Readiness for Completing Application

Part A: Before applying review all fees, terms, and policies above so you are ready to attest to agreement

Part B: Prepare all documentation requirements for upload (see above)

Part C: Prepare to select your examination location (1) in a test center or (2) via online proctoring

Part D: After submitting application be prepared to pay the $875.00 application fee

Part E: The applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Part F: You will be notified of the results of the review.

AQH© Spring 2026 Online Application:

The application period is now open for the Spring 2026 cohort until March 20, 2026 5:00PM CT

AQH Certification: Five (5) Years

Apply here

Plan Ahead for Your AQH© Certification

Submit your email to receive alerts about application timelines, requirements, and upcoming testing opportunities.

"*" indicates required fields

Email Type*
Are you a licensed healthcare provider with prescriptive authority, independently evaluating and managing headache patients?*
Subscribe for News and Updates From NHF

Questions regarding AQH© Certification or Other Subjects

"*" indicates required fields

Are you a licensed healthcare provider with prescriptive authority, independently evaluating and managing headache patients?*