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Phase II Examination

2024 Phase II Surgical Competency Examination Dates

February 12-13: Pearson VUE Test Centers, Americas and Europe

February 13-14: Pearson VUE Test Centers, Asia and Oceania

Examination Registration

Registration is available to all existing candidates, candidates who plan to submit a recredentialing application in 2024, and residents who plan to submit a credentials application in 2024. Registration will allow potential examinees to schedule an appointment with Pearson VUE starting in mid-August 2023, while waiting to see if credentials are accepted. Should an individual’s credentials or recredentialing application not be accepted by ACVS, the individual will be responsible for canceling their appointment with Pearson VUE. ACVS will refund the examination fee if credentials are not accepted.

Registration application deadline: July 31, 2023, 11:59 pm (Eastern Daylight Time)

To register log in to CERT, select Application, select Phase II Surgical Competency Examination, and click Register for Exam.

Registration opens: July 3, 2023

Registration deadline: July 31, 2023

Examination fee:

The fee is paid as part of the registration process in CERT and is due July 31, 2023. Contact ACVS staff at certification@acvs.org if you wish to pay the examination fee by check or if there is a hardship with paying the fee at time of registration. Mailed examination fee payments must arrive by close of business (5 pm EST) on July 31, 2023, at the ACVS office.

Fee for first-time candidates = $2,495

Fee for repeat candidates = $1,785

Available to candidates who have taken the Phase II examination previously or candidates who are in the dual certification process.

The examination fee is refundable only due to extenuating circumstances. The full refund policy is included in the information pamphlet.

Examination Materials

Examination Authorization and Scheduling

ACVS has made every attempt to authorize candidates as early as possible before the scheduled examination date. Candidates should make appointments with Pearson VUE promptly after receiving their Examination Authorization email to ensure an appointment with minimal travel required. Examination Authorization emails will be sent no later than Monday, August 21, 2023.

Once you receive your Candidate ID and Authorization ID, please use them to create a Pearson online account and schedule your examination. Pearson VUE web accounts are created at www.pearsonvue.com/acvs. Please note that account activation may require up to 24 hours. Pearson VUE will notify you by email when your account is activated. Once the account is activated, proceed to select a Pearson Professional Center location on the examination dates. You may select up to three test centers to compare appointment availability.

Additionally, candidates may schedule their test appointment by telephone.

Pearson Professional Test Centers Only

Based on the nature of the examination, ACVS requires candidates to take the Phase II examination at Pearson Professional Centers to ensure the optimal testing experience. Pearson has three levels of test centers, and all types will appear in the scheduling system on Pearson VUE’s website.

Be certain to confirm that you have selected a Pearson Professional Center when selecting the location in Pearson’s scheduling system. Non-professional test centers are considered unsanctioned examination sites. Exceptions to this requirement will not be granted by ACVS.

Review the list of Pearson Professional Centers, when scheduling your appointment at www.pearsonvue.com/acvs to ensure you are selecting a valid location for the ACVS Phase II examination.

Examination Support

Examination Schedule

Location Date Session
Virtual To be determined Examination Information Session
Americas and Europe Monday, February 12 Small Animal Practical—Parts 1 and 2

Large Animal Case Based–Orthopedic/Neurosurgery and Soft Tissue
Americas and Europe Tuesday, February 13 Small Animal Case-based—Orthopedic/Neurosurgery and Soft Tissue

Large Animal Practical—Parts 1 and 2
Asia and Oceania Tuesday February 13 Small Animal Practical—Parts 1 and 2

Large Animal Case Based–Orthopedic/Neurosurgery and Soft Tissue
Asia and Oceania Wednesday, February 14 Small Animal Case-based—Orthopedic/Neurosurgery and Soft Tissue

Large Animal Practical—Parts 1 and 2

Cancellation

In the event that a candidate needs to cancel their examination registration, the candidate must notify ACVS and cancel the appointment with Pearson VUE. Refer to the information pamphlet for refund policies.

Questions?

Common questions are answered in the Examination FAQ. Address other questions about the Phase II Examination to Lorie Jewell at ljewell@acvs.org or (301) 916-0200 x123. If you require technical assistance, please submit a support ticket through the CERT Help Desk.

Maintenance of Certification

Individuals who have passed the Phase II examination and are board certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2016 or later are subject to time-limited certification and must undergo mandatory maintenance of certification (MOC). Activities acceptable for maintaining certification should result in the acquisition of new knowledge by the Diplomate, such as attending or presenting at continuing education events, publishing manuscripts, serving on select ACVS committees, and serving as resident advisor. More information is available in the ACVS Diplomate Maintenance of Certification Policies and Procedures.

Future Phase II Examination Dates

2025: To be determined