ACVS Information Brochure

Chapter 2 - Membership in the ACVS

Requirements for Admission

Membership Categories

Maintenance of Membership - Diplomates must login to access

Guidelines for the Use of Diplomate Status

Resources for Publicizing Diplomate Status

Application for Dual Certification

Requirements for Admission 

The Constitution of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) has established the following requirements for active membership status:

1. Have a satisfactory moral and ethical standing in the profession.
   
2. Be either a graduate of a veterinary college accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association, or meet all requirements for licensure of foreign veterinary graduates as defined by the American Veterinary Medical Association, or be legally qualified to practice veterinary medicine in some state, province, territory or possession of the United States, Canada or some other country.
   
3. Have devoted a minimum of four years after graduation from veterinary school to special training and experience in veterinary surgery in a training program consisting of a 52 week internship or equivalent and 156 weeks of supervised training, postgraduate education and clinical experience in the science and practice of large animal or small animal veterinary surgery and its supporting disciplines, including scientific publication.  Training must occur under the supervision of at least one Diplomate of the ACVS participating actively in the program.  An alternative training program must meet the same criteria but may be done over a longer time period.
   
4. Have successfully passed the certifying examination of the College.  The examination, composed of written, practical and case-based questions, tests knowledge of all phases of surgery as well as competence in areas of specialization.
   
5. Be current with annual dues.
   
6. Diplomates may be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to reprimand, censure, suspension, or expulsion from the College, for circumstances including conviction of a felony related to practice of veterinary medicine, gross negligence as determined by a state licensing body, violation of the Constitution and Bylaws of the College, and fraud or misrepresentation in professional matters.
   
7. Diplomates and candidates for membership may appeal adverse decisions by submitting a written petition for reconsideration only on the grounds that the determination: (a) disregarded the established criteria; (b) failed to follow the stated procedures; or (c) failed to consider relevant information and documentation presented.
   

Membership Categories

The members of the College shall be known as "Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons."  Members of the College certified after 2003 will be known as "Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, Large Animal," or "Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, Small Animal" reflecting their specialization in Large Animal Surgery or Small Animal Surgery.  These titles imply that they have successfully completed a residency program, have had their credentials application approved, have successfully completed the certifying examination and are members in good standing.  A "Member in Good Standing" is an ACVS Diplomate whose dues payment is current and who has not, for other reasons, had his/her membership status changed. 

1. Charter Diplomates: Recognized leaders in veterinary surgery who were invited by the organizing committee to become charter members.
   
2. Active Diplomates: The Board of Regents approves these members after they have fulfilled the prescribed requirements and passed the certifying examination.  Active Diplomates must be current with dues payment.  Active Diplomates receive an annual subscription to Veterinary Surgery, discounted Symposium registration fees, the ACVS Newsletter and the Directory of Diplomates. 
   
3. Honorary Diplomates: Honorary members are nominated by the members and elected by the Board of Regents and the membership.  The nominees must have unusual eminence in veterinary surgery or the allied professions.
   
4. Emeritus Diplomates: A charter or active member who meets either criterion (a) or criterion (b) is granted Emeritus status and is not required to pay dues: Criterion (a) Reaches the age of sixty-five (65) years; or (b) Reaches at least sixty (60) years of age, has paid dues for twenty-five (25) consecutive years and has retired from the active practice of surgery.  
   
   Emeritus Diplomates receive the same benefits as Active Diplomates with the exception of the annual subscription to Veterinary Surgery, which they can purchase through ACVS at the member rate.  Emeritus Diplomates are considered members in good standing.
   

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Guidelines for the Use of Diplomate Status

The College authorizes the use of the designations "Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons," "Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons - Large Animal," or "Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons - Small Animal" for individuals approved for membership in the College and are members in good standing. These designations can only be used by Diplomates who have passed the examination of the College or accepted as Charter Members. The indication of the Large Animal or Small Animal specialization must be used by Diplomates receiving certification in 2004 or later. An individual conferred honorary membership shall be designated as "Honorary Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons."

These policies are based on the policies of the American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) - View the ABVS policies on advertising and directory listings.

I. Use of Specialty Titles 

It is the position of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons that the term "specialist" be reserved for the exclusive use of those veterinarians who have successfully completed a residency training program and passed a certifying examination in their claimed discipline.

ABVS policy: "Veterinarians should not in any way imply they are specialists unless they are certified by an AVMA-recognized veterinary specialty organization (i.e., board or college)."

II. Definitions

Diplomate of the ACVS - The ACVS Constitution states that members of the ACVS will be known as "Diplomates." This title implies that the member has successfully completed a residency program, has had his or her credentials application approved, has successfully completed the certifying examination and is in good standing.

Board Certified by the ACVS - The use of this term implies successful completion of the certifying examination. In addition, this is the term to be used by individuals who at one time were "Members in Good Standing," but for some reason (e.g., resigning from the ACVS, failure to pay current dues) are no longer "Members in Good Standing" of the ACVS.

Limited to the Practice of Surgery - An individual who has completed residency training but is not board certified may indicate only that his or her practice is "limited to the practice of surgery." No connection to the ACVS may be implied. The terms "board eligible" or "board qualified" should not be used. An individual who identifies their professional credentials using these terms may be eliminated from the credentials application or examination process.

III. Telephone Directory Listing: Diplomates may choose to list themselves under the separate heading "Veterinarians - DVM - Surgeons," per guidelines outlined by the AVMA in the Advertising Regulations: Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics. Only individuals who are board certified should present themselves as specialists. To comply with the recommendations of the AVMA, the ACVS can condone the use of this section of the telephone directory only by Diplomates.

IV. Job Listings in Professional Journals: An advertisement should outline specifically the type of individual desired, i.e., 1) Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, 2) individual who has completed residency training, and/or 3) individual with credentials accepted by ACVS.

V. Letterheads, Business Cards and Websites: It is appropriate to indicate Diplomate status on letterheads, business cards and websites. The full designation "Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons," "Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons - Large Animal" or "Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons - Small Animal" should be used. This is done by indicating the Diplomate status directly below the name. For example:

For Diplomates certified pre-2004:

John Doe, DVM, MS
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons

For Diplomates certified in 2004 or later:

Jane Doe, DVM, MS
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons - Large Animal

or

Joyce Doe, DVM, MS
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons - Small Animal

VI. Veterinary Journals: When an ACVS Diplomate publishes an article in a veterinary journal, it is appropriate to use an acronym to identify the ACVS, such as:

For Diplomates certified pre-2004:

John Doe, DVM, MS, Diplomate, ACVS or John Doe, DVM, MS, DACVS

For Diplomates certified in 2004 or later:

Jane Doe, DVM, MS, Diplomate - LA, ACVS or Jane Doe, DVM, MS, DACVS-LA

Joyce Doe, DVM, MS, Diplomate - SA, ACVS or Joyce Doe, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA

It is preferable not to use acronyms in publications directed to the general public because they are unlikely to be understood.

VII. ACVS Logos

Resources for Publicizing Diplomate Status

The ACVS provides resources for Diplomates to promote their status as board-certified veterinary surgeons to the public and referring veterinarians. View Marketing Resources for ACVS Diplomates.

Application for Dual Certification 

ACVS Diplomates wishing to be endorsed by the College to advertise and practice in an animal emphasis in which they are not residency trained or certified may apply for Dual Certification.  The process for achieving Dual Certification is outlined in the Certificate for Dual Emphasis document. 

The process for applying for Dual Certification is being finalized. If you have questions, contact the ACVS office.

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