Following completion of the 2024–2025 ACVS Job Analysis, blueprints for the Phase I Surgical Knowledge Examination and Phase II Surgical Competency Examination have been updated. ACVS Diplomates were surveyed to evaluate the knowledge and skills required to perform the job of a board-certified veterinary surgeon. The survey data served as the foundation for the examination blueprints.
The changes to the blueprints reflect clearer terminology and changes in the industry over the past nine years.
For small animal, many of the blueprint categories remain unchanged; six new categories were added, seven were renamed, and two were recategorized. Additionally, two categories were split into two and three new categories. No existing categories were removed.
For large animal, many of the categories remain unchanged, although fewer than small animal; seven new categories were added, eight were renamed, and two were recategorized. Additionally, one category was split into two, and one area was removed from a category that previously combined two areas.
The new blueprints are being used for the 2027 examinations.
Numerous ACVS Diplomate volunteers, including members of the Examination Committee, were involved in the development of the survey and evaluation of the data. ACVS is extremely grateful to everyone involved in the process!
