(Activities updated in October 2020 show an ** in the points column)
(Activities updated in January 2021 show an * in the points column)
Diplomates must achieve a total of 100 activity points. A minimum of 70 activity points must be within the Diplomate’s respective specialty of certification (Small Animal or Large Animal). Not more than 30 activity points will be accepted in other specialties or human training.
Continuing Education |
Maximum points allowed |
Category 1: Attendance at the ACVS Surgery Summit. |
25 per meeting |
Category 2: Attendance at Diplomate-level national or international surgical meetings. |
7 per meeting day** |
Category 3: Attendance at Diplomate-level national or international surgical laboratory |
7 per full laboratory day** |
Category 4: Attendance at human surgery specialty (clinical or research) meetings. |
5 per meeting day** |
Category 5: Attendance at national veterinary specialty meeting, non-surgery topic.
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2 per meeting day** |
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Presentations |
Maximum points allowed |
Presentation of original material at Diplomate-level national or international meetings designated as Category 1, 2, or 3 above |
5 per ½ hour, 10 per hour |
Presentation of original material in brief abstract form at Diplomate-level national or international meetings designated as Category 1, 2, or 3 above |
5 points per presentation under 30 minutes** |
Presentation of original material as a scientific poster at Diplomate-level national or international meetings designated as Category 1, 2, or 3 above |
5 points per presentation** |
Participation as a panelist at a Diplomate-level national or international meetings designated as Category 1, 2, or 3 above |
2 points per panel activity |
Continuing education lecture and/or laboratory instruction (non-original material) at national or international meetings |
5 per presentation or laboratory |
Continuing education webinar presentation |
2 per presentation |
Presentation to local / state / regional veterinary group |
2 per presentation |
Resident Advisor or primary advisor for a presentation by a student / intern / resident lecturing at a national or international scientific meeting (upload copy of abstract or proceeding or other proof of formal mentoring relationship with the presenter) |
1 per lecture |
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Publications / Accepted Manuscripts These may be published works or manuscripts currently accepted for publication. See Appendix C for requirements for original material. |
Maximum points allowed |
Publication of original work in peer-reviewed journal as first author. |
20 per publication |
Publication of original work in peer-reviewed journal as primary advisor behind an ACVS resident as first author. Only the primary advisor of an ACVS resident-authored paper can claim 10 points. Other contributing authors should claim 5 points as non-first author (see next option). |
10 per publication |
Publication of original work in peer-reviewed journal as non-first author |
5 per publication |
Publication of review articles as first author |
10 per publication |
Publication of case reports, etc. as first author |
5 per publication |
Publication of textbook chapters as sole author or as co-author |
10 per chapter (sole author) |
Author of ACVS “Animal Health Topic” articles and “Surgery STAT” articles accepted by the Public Outreach Committee |
2 per article |
Editor / Reviewer (on review board or ad hoc for journal) for journal or textbook |
2 per reviewed paper / chapter |
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Examination/Specialty Training These activities must be completed after initial certification is achieved and prior to current certificate expiration. (i.e. within the Diplomate's certification period) |
Maximum points allowed |
Take and pass the ACVS Phase II Examination in species of certification (small or large animal) |
100 |
Completion of an ACVS Fellowship and approved as an ACVS Fellow |
100 |
Completion of certification in another ABVS-recognized veterinary specialty |
100 |
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ACVS Committee Service |
Maximum points allowed |
Examination Committee |
20 per year of service |
Research Committee |
10 per year of service |
Resident Credentialing Committee |
3 per year of service |
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ACVS Reviewer Service |
Maximum points allowed |
Reviewer of “Animal Health Topics” or “Surgery STAT” articles for the Public Outreach Committee |
1 per article |
Reviewer of ACVS Surgery Summit scientific abstracts |
2 per year of service |
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Resident Advisor for ACVS Registered Residency Training Program Program must have a valid registration with ACVS during the effective dates of supervision in order to receive points. If a program’s registration is suspended, the period of time between the suspension and reinstatement of registration cannot be counted toward maintenance of certification. |
Maximum points allowed |
Name of resident(s) and effective dates of supervision |
2 per resident per 6 mos. |
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Online Training/Assessment Modules Online modules must be pre-approved by the Maintenance of Certification Committee (MCC) for use as a maintenance of certification activity. See requirements on receiving pre-approval of an online module |
Maximum points allowed |
ACVS Continuing Education Webinars. Minimum 1 hour in length. |
1 point per webinar hour** |
ACVS Educational Partners Webinars Approved for Maintenance of Certification. Minimum 1 hour in length. |
1 point per webinar hour |
Completion of an approved online training/assessment module. (upload notification of approval by MCC) |
TBD |
Creation of an original online training/assessment module which receives approval by the MCC for use by ACVS Diplomates for maintenance of certification. |
TBD |
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Additional Activities Approved by the Maintenance of Certification Committee (MCC) All such requests may be submitted to the MCC any time prior to the activity or not later than 90 days after the activity concludes. Requests submitted more than 90 days after the activity will not be considered for individual activity points. NOTE: Diplomates certified in 2016 have until July 31, 2018 to submit requests for evaluation of additional activities completed in 2016. |
Maximum points allowed
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A Diplomate may submit a written request to the MCC for a specific activity to be approved for maintenance of certification points. An activity is approved for the requesting Diplomate-only. |
Maximum 50 points/MOC cycle. Number of points are designated upon approval by the MCC. |
Approved Meetings by Category for MOC - See above for point limits per category
Category 1:
Category 2:
Educational Partner Opportunities Approved for Maintenance of Certification
VA3 (Veterinary Arthrology Advancement Association) Annual Symposium
Australian New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists Science Week
Equine Upper Airway Symposium (Rood and Riddle)
European College of Veterinary Surgeons
French Equine Veterinary Association (AVEF) Conference
Iowa Advanced Spinal Course
International Equine Colic Research Symposium
KYON Symposium
Society of Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgery
Veterinary Endoscopy Society
Veterinary Interventional Radiology and Interventional Endoscopy Society
Veterinary Orthopedic Society
Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology
Veterinary Wound Management Society
World Veterinary Orthopedic Congress
Category 3:
ACVS Laboratories
AOVET: Masters in Equine Arthrodesis Techniques and Fracture Fixation
AOVET: Management of Specific Fractures in Foals
Animal Medical Center (AMC) Masterclass: Endourology Lab Part I
Arthrex: Canine Forelimb and Hindlimb Veterinary Articular Care
Arthrex: Canine Forelimb Arthroscopy and Stabilization for the Advanced Surgeon
Arthrex: Canine Hindlimb Arthroscopy and Stabilization for the Advanced Surgeon
Arthrex: Canine Stifle Stabilization Course: Swivelock Anchor System for CCL Repair*
Arthrex: MedVet Advanced Canine Arthroscopy and Joint Surgery Course*
VA3 (Veterinary Arthrology Advancement Association) Comprehensive Training
BioMedtrix: I-Loc IM Fixator Workshop*
BioMedtrix Universal Hip Training Laboratory
Colorado State University: Introduction to Equine Arthroscopy Laboratory
Colorado State University: Advanced Equine Arthroscopy Laboratory
Delta Equine Seminar*
European College of Veterinary Surgeons
IMEX Veterinary: Small Animal Hybrid/Circular External Fixation
Improve International: Arthroscopy course
Infinity Medical: Interventional Radiology Summit
International Colic Surgery Course & Laboratory
KYON: Management of Patellar Luxation & Patellar Groove Replacement PGR*
KYON: Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA) Course*
KYON: Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)Course*
KYON: Zurich Cementless THR Basic Course
KYON: Zurich Cementless THR Mini and Cupless Course
KYON: Proximal Abducting Ulnar Osteotomy (PAUL) Course
Society of Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgery
STORZ Bootcamp: Arthrology and Laparoscopy Lab
Veterinary Endoscopy Society
Veterinary Interventional Radiology and Interventional Endoscopy Society
Veterinary Orthopedic Society
Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology
Veterinary Wound Management Society
WVC: Advanced Spinal Surgery Level II
WVC: Canine TTA for Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair
WVC: Oral and Maxillofacial Trauma in Dogs and Cats: Imaging, Surgical Planning, and Repair
Category 4:
Advanced Cardiac Physiology and Anatomy Short Course (Univ. of MN Medical School)*
American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress
David Van Sickle Musculoskeletal Days*
Equine Dentistry Educational Meeting (Centaur Equine Specialty Hospital)*
European Calcified Tissue Society Annual Congress*
Orthopedic Research Society
Society for Surgical Oncology
Category 5:
American Association of Equine Practitioners
American Association of Bovine Practitioners
American Board of Veterinary Practitioners
American Board of Veterinary Toxicology
American College of Animal Welfare (provisional recognition)
American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine
American College of Poultry Veterinarians
American College of Theriogenologists
American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia
American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology
American College of Veterinary Dermatology
American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
American College of Veterinary Microbiologists
American College of Veterinary Nutrition
American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists
American College of Veterinary Pathologists
American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine
American College of Veterinary Radiology
American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
American College of Zoological Medicine
American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care
American Veterinary Dental College
Clinician Scientist Training Workshop (Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison)*
European College of Zoological Medicine
European College of Animal Reproduction
European College of Bovine Health Management
European College of Equine Internal Medicine
European College of Laboratory Animal Medicine
European College of Porcine Health Management
European College of Poultry Veterinary Medicine
European College of Small Ruminant Health Management
European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia
European College of Veterinary Behavioural Medicine - Companion Animals
European College of Veterinary Comparative Nutrition
European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology
European College of Veterinary Dermatology
European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine - Companion Animals
European College of Veterinary Neurology
European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists
European College of Veterinary Pathology
European College of Veterinary Public Health
European College of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology
European Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Congress*
European Veterinary Dentistry College
European Veterinary Parasitology College
ISELP (International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology)
Veterinary Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
Approved Online Training/Assessment Modules for Activity Points*
Only listed ACVS Educational Partners webinars are approved for Diplomate use at this time.(see ACVS list) Diplomates must submit a pre-approval request to the MCC in order to use other online training / assessment modules for maintenance of certification. The request must include a detailed description of the activity, expected learning outcomes and expected Diplomate time and effort expended. The MCC will evaluate the applicability and depth of content for relevance to Diplomate continuous professional development. The MCC will make every effort to determine the acceptability of and the points to be awarded for each activity submitted within 3 weeks of receiving the request. However, the determination of the points to be awarded to a Diplomate for creation of an original online training / assessment module may take longer than 3 weeks depending on the complexity of the proposal submitted.
Requirements for Original Material*
1. Presentations are considered original if they originate from work done by the presenter as primary investigator or as immediate supervisor/Resident Advisor for the project.
2. Manuscripts considered as original work must adhere to the following guidelines and must follow a scientific approach, containing:
- an introductory statement which summarizes the reason for the study,
- a clearly stated hypothesis or objective,
- an appropriate description of techniques used to satisfy the hypothesis or objective,
- a report of the results appropriate to the study,
- a discussion which interprets the results and relation to the original hypothesis or objective, and
- a conclusion which summarizes the importance of the study.