Certification

The American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) is the AVMA-recognized veterinary specialty organization™ for certification of veterinarians in large animal surgery and small animal surgery. AVMA is the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Pathway to Certification

The American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) is the AVMA-recognized veterinary specialty organization™ for certification of veterinarians in large animal surgery and small animal surgery. AVMA is the American Veterinary Medical Association.

The official credential of a board-certificated veterinary surgeon is Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons, often presented as DACVS.

Those interested in obtaining ACVS board certification are encouraged to check out the pathway to certification illustration below. It provides a high-level overview of the steps a veterinarian takes to become an ACVS board-certified veterinary surgeon. Additional details follow the illustration.

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Pathway Details

Prerequisites
  • Graduate from an AVMA-accredited veterinary school; have an Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates certificate; or have a current veterinary license.
  • Complete a one-year, rotating veterinary internship or equivalent
Residency

 

 

Post-residency

 

 

 

Earn your ACVS Diplomate credential

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