FAQs

Many names are associated with the term ‘Clinical Electrodiagnosis.’ Some of the names and terminology include (but is not limited to): EMG testing, EMG/NCV testing, Electroneuromyography, Electrodiagnosis, and Clinical Electrophysiology. The term ‘Clinical Electrodiagnosis’ usually encompasses the broad areas that serve to test the functional/electrical capacity of the peripheral nervous system in patients with suspected nerve and/or muscle problems. Usually the testing consists of the performance of nerve conduction studies (NCS) followed by (in most instances) EMG (by needle examination) of muscles.

Nerve conduction study (NCS) is a process that provides assessment of the peripheral nervous system’s ability to conduct an electrical impulse, measuring the speed of impulse propagation and the ensuing evoked response’s magnitude, to make inferences about the peripheral nervous system’s health.

Electromyography (needle) is an interactive process that involves the study of muscles and the electrical properties elicited by those skeletal muscles during active contraction on part of the patient. EMG or electromyography consists of detecting electrical signals from motor units as a result of needle electrodes inserted in skeletal muscle. The electrical signals are heard from the speaker and observed on the screen of the EMG unit.

Statement about ‘Diagnosis’

“Electromyography does not give a clinical diagnosis of the patient’s illness. There are no waveforms, which are pathognomonic of specific disease entities. Electromyography aids in diagnosis, so far as the evidence of abnormality of the motor unit, which it provides, is or is not compatible with the clinical diagnosis under consideration. The electromyographic results must be integrated with the results of other tests.” (Clinical Examinations in Neurology, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, 4th edition, WB Saunders Co, 1976 pp 299)

For your convenience, we offer Courses on both the East and West Coast. For information on the Courses or help with travel please email [email protected].

• The answer depends on the Course that you are enrolled in with AACE.
  • No need of machines with registration in the NCV Technician certificate program.
  • Need EMG machines after the first onsite weekend session of Stage One or earlier. The machines can be purchased new or used or can be borrowed.
• ACCE requires that the participant have access to an EMG unit in order to review and practice all the topics taught and procedures demonstrated in the class in between laboratory practice times. AACE does provide machines during the onsite laboratory sessions.
• Depending on the course that you are enrolled in with AACE, you will be able to do limited studies prior to graduation from the course and bill for them as you see fit. This will eventually pay for the cost of the machine.

• While we do not recommend that you miss laboratory days, we understand that events occur that make attendance impossible. If you find that you need to miss a scheduled laboratory day please notify AACE as soon as you know you cannot make it. You must still satisfactorily pass all course requirements in order to earn the certificate of proficiency.
• The student is responsible for the content in both the lecture and the laboratory portion of the Course.

Yes. Medical Doctors comprise a significant number of our student body. We are happy to put you in contact with physician references who have taken the Course. For references, please contact [email protected].

Please read the AACE Refund Policy.

If you have any additional questions, please email [email protected] or call (877) 236-4038 to speak with an AACE representative.