The AANEM was founded in 1953 and incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1959, to increase and extend the knowledge of electromyography and electrodiagnostic medicine, improve the quality of patient care, and promote the professional association of physicians interested in electromyography and electrodiagnostic medicine.

The concept of an examination was discussed by the AANEM as early as 1963, and the first examination was administered in 1967 to a group of 26 candidates on an experimental basis. The committee that organized the effort was chaired by Dr. Joseph Goodgold and included Drs. James A. Bastron, Ernest W. Johnson, George H. Koepke, and Juergen E. Thomas.

The association perceived the examination primarily as an educational experience for candidates and successful candidates were transferred to the association membership category of active membership by examination. To this end, the association devoted substantial time and effort to develop an evaluation process which includes an examination designed to assess the knowledge, skills, and experience required to provide quality patient care in electrodiagnostic medicine. From 1967 through 1988, 1148 candidates successfully passed the examination, and of this number, 1098 were active members by examination in the association as of December 1988.

In 1985, the association began considering whether it should separate its membership and examination functions and make its examining body completely autonomous. After a review of the complex issues involved, a formal certification of competency in electrodiagnostic medicine via the ABEM was approved at the 1987 Annual Business Meeting.

Dr. Austin J. Sumner was selected as the first Board Chair, and Drs. Jasper R. Daube, Andrew A. Eisen, Ernest W. Johnson, George H. Koepke, Ian C. MacLean, John L. Melvin, and Jack H. Petajan were appointed as the other certified members of the first Board. Dr. John H. Mitchell was selected as the first noncertified member of the Board.

Since the expiration of Dr. Sumner’s term as Board Chair, Drs. Ernest W. Johnson, Michael J. Aminoff, George H. Kraft, Asa J. Wilbourn, James A. Leonard, Jr., John C. Kincaid, and Lawrence R. Robinson (respectively) have served terms as Chair of the ABEM Board of Directors.