Prior Years' Standards and Guidelines

The Residency Training Standards and Requirements (formerly Residency Program Guidelines) documents for ACVS residents are updated annually and are applicable to residents beginning programs between July 1 and June 30 of the listed years.

2021-2022 Residency Training Standards and Requirements

Residency Training Standards and Requirements (July 2021-June 2022)

Summary of changes in 2021–2022 Residency Training Standards and Requirements

The External Surgical Rotation form is required for all cases logged from a site that is not part of the registered residency training program.
Seminars may be completed via live, interactive teleconference modalities.
Educational events may be completed via live webinars or live, interactive teleconference modalities..
Eligibility for the Phase I Surgical Knowledge Examination will be determined by the program and the resident through attestations completed during the examination registration process.
"Good-standing" was defined for Phase I eligibility.

2020-2021 Residency Training Standards and Requirements

Residency Training Standards and Requirements (July 2020-June 2021)

Note: The ACVS Board of Regents approved changes to the Phase I examination eligibility requirements. Clarifications have been made to existing Specialty Service rotation requirements to allow for the full Clinical Pathology rotation and part of the Diagnostic Imaging rotation requirements to be fulfilled either in-person or via telemedicine. The 2020 Residency Training Standards and Requirements were amended in August 2020 to reflect this change.

Summary of changes in 2020 - 2021 Residency Training Standards and Requirements

Full-time defined for program registration personnel requirements.
ACVS Diplomates must be employed full-time and meet other requirements to qualify as “Supervising ACVS Diplomates”.
Reminder: renewing programs must be compliant with availability requirements for ACVIM (Internal Medicine) and additional allied specialists.
New process established for programs who wish to transition to inactive status at the conclusion of the current residency training year.
Approved Journals List subdivided into a permanent list of core journals and list of journals subject to periodic review.
The Resident Credentialing Committee will evaluate the Reviewed Journals list every five years.

2019-2020 Residency Training Standards and Requirements

Residency Training Standards and Requirements (July 2019-June 2020)

Note: The ACVS Board of Regents approved changes to the Phase I examination eligibility requirements. Clarifications have been made to existing Specialty Service rotation requirements to allow for the full Clinical Pathology rotation and part of the Diagnostic Imaging rotation requirements to be fulfilled either in-person or via telemedicine. The 2019 Residency Training Standards and Requirements were amended in August 2020 to reflect this change.

Summary of changes in 2019 - 2020 Residency Training Standards and Requirements

Availability of ACVIM (Internal Medicine) specialist more fully defined.
Availability of additional allied specialists more fully defined for large animal and small animal programs.
Deadline for programs to meet revised allied specialty Diplomate requirements clarified.
Supervision of educational events to include Diplomates of other AVMA-recognized veterinary specialties.
Large Animal Curricula: Angular Limb Deformities has been removed as a category.
Small Animal Curricula: Interventional Radiology and Endoscopy cases to be recorded separately from other MIS cases.
Semi-Annual Review requirements for Phase I examination eligibility have been further clarified.

2018-2019 Residency Training Standards and Requirements

ACVS Residency Training Standards and Requirements – July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019 (amended August 2020) – All residents beginning programs between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019 must follow these requirements.

Note: The ACVS Board of Regents approved changes to the Phase I examination eligibility requirements. Clarifications have been made to existing Specialty Service rotation requirements to allow for the full Clinical Pathology rotation and part of the Diagnostic Imaging rotation requirements to be fulfilled either in-person or via telemedicine. The 2018 Residency Training Standards and Requirements were amended in August 2020 to reflect this change.

The 2018 Standards were first published in May 2017. In November 2018 the ACVS Board of Regents approved the creation of a new category to track the existing three joint replacement requirement for small animal residents. The 2018 Residency Training Standards and Requirements have been amended to reflect this change. Residents with joint replacement procedures already logged in a different category should contact jmelia@acvs.org for assistance with reclassifying these cases.

Previously amended version published in May 2018 to add policies regarding supervision by ECVS Diplomates.

Summary of changes in 2018

No application fee is required to submit a registration application.
Requirement for flexible endoscope has been redefined for large animal programs.
Recommended additional imaging equipment for large animal programs now includes fluoroscopy.
Impact of program probation and suspension on all residents in training has been clarified.
Requirement that residents track location on activity weeks has been highlighted.
Policies regarding Mass removal and wound repair have been updated.
ACVP Diplomate Supervision for required pathology cases has been highlighted.
Semi-Annual Review requirements for Phase I examination eligibility have been clarified.
ECVS Diplomate supervision of surgery weeks defined and allowed limit established.
Limitation on direct supervision of cases by ECVS Diplomates defined.

2017-2018 Residency Training Standards and Requirements

ACVS Residency Training Standards and Requirements – July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018 (amended August 2020) – All residents beginning programs between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018 must follow these requirements.

Note: The ACVS Board of Regents approved changes to the Phase I examination eligibility requirements. Clarifications have been made to existing Specialty Service rotation requirements to allow for the full Clinical Pathology rotation and part of the Diagnostic Imaging rotation requirements to be fulfilled either in-person or via telemedicine. The 2017 Residency Training Standards and Requirements were amended in August 2020 to reflect this change.

The 2017 Standards were first published in May 2016. In November 2018 the ACVS Board of Regents approved the creation of a new category to track the existing three joint replacement requirement for small animal residents. The 2017 Residency Training Standards and Requirements have been amended to reflect this change. Residents with joint replacement procedures already logged in a different category should contact jmelia@acvs.org for assistance with reclassifying these cases

Summary of changes in 2017

All program registration and renewal applications must be submitted online.
A pharmacy or dispensary is acceptable to meet program facility requirements.
Required surgical instrumentation for large animal programs can include either a surgical bone saw or surgical drill.
Policies updated for residents performing surgery clinic duties during non-surgical activity weeks.
Week two of anesthesia rotation can be completed as a one-week block or 40 cumulative hours.
Required anesthesia cases must be supervised and can occur at any time during residency.
Required pathology cases require approval by an ACVP Diplomate.
New criteria for submitting a petition to add a new journal to the Approved Journals List.

2016-2017 Residency Training Standards and Requirements (amended August 2020)

Note: The ACVS Board of Regents approved changes to the Phase I examination eligibility requirements. Clarifications have been made to existing Specialty Service rotation requirements to allow for the full Clinical Pathology rotation and part of the Diagnostic Imaging rotation requirements to be fulfilled either in-person or via telemedicine. The 2016 Residency Training Standards and Requirements were amended in August 2020 to reflect this change.

The 2016 Standards were first published in May 2015. In June 2016, the ACVS Board of Regents modified the time requirements for the anesthesia specialty service requirement. An amended document showing these changes is published on this page.

In November 2018 the ACVS Board of Regents approved the creation of a new category to track the existing three joint replacement requirement for small animal residents. The 2017 Residency Training Standards and Requirements have been amended to reflect this change. Residents with joint replacement procedures already logged in a different category should contact jmelia@acvs.org for assistance with reclassifying these cases.

Summary of changes in 2016

Deadline for applications for residency training program registration moved to August.
"Activity" weeks defined for residents.
Programs should not assign residents clinic duties during weeks scheduled for other activities.
Examination preparation should be classified as CE/Vacation/Other in the resident logs.
Updates made to the minor procedures list.
Residents who miss a review deadline will have the oldest weeks of their training reviewed first.
Approved Journals List published online only and updated each year with any additions.

2015-2016 Residency Training Standards and Requirements (amended November 2018)

Note: The ACVS Board of Regents approved changes to the Phase I examination eligibility requirements. Clarifications have been made to existing Specialty Service rotation requirements to allow for the full Clinical Pathology rotation and part of the Diagnostic Imaging rotation requirements to be fulfilled either in-person or via telemedicine. The 2015 Residency Training Standards and Requirements were amended in August 2020 to reflect this change.

Summary of changes in 2015:

Beginning in 2015, the guidelines have been replaced by the Resdiency Training Standards and Requirements.
All training programs must be registered by ACVS in order to train residents.
Residents must participate in Educational Events.
Specialty Service Rotations - time requirements were revised and objectives were created for each rotation. NOTE: Although the published standards indicate that Anesthesia (Small and Large Animal) must be completed as 2 full weeks, the ACVS Board of Regents amended this requirement in June 2015 to require one full week of training and either a second full week or 40 hours of training.
Residents must complete cases in anesthesia and pathology.
Large Animal Curricula: Cases required in Minimally Invasive Laparoscopy/Thoracoscopy.
Small Animal Curriculum: Orthopedics split into 3 categories: Fracture Fixation, Non-fracture Joint Problems, Other.

2014 Residency Program Guidelines (effective for residents starting July 1-December 31, 2014)

Summary of changes to the Guidelines in 2014:

Two ACVS Diplomates required for all program locations.
Residents can spend no more than 75% of their time on surgical rotations with any one Diplomate.
New definition of Diplomate supervision.
Small animal: Minimally Invasive Surgery split into two core curriculum categories - MIS Arthroscopy and MIS Laparoscopy & Thoracoscopy.
Large animal: Change to Angular Limb Deformity core curriculum category - periosteal stripping removed, minimum quantities changed.
Two-part examination format. Phase I occurs during the residency, Phase II occurs after the residency and credentials approval. Reading should be incorporated into residency training.

2013-2014 Residency Program Guidelines

Summary of changes to the Guidelines in 2013:

Minimum requirements for weeks changed - 110 supervised surgery rotations, 18 weeks research/manuscript, specialty service (see below), 20 weeks* for CE, vacation, additional surgical rotations, graduate work, etc.
Specialty service training changes:
- Anesthesia must be completed as week blocks (2 weeks required)
- Diagnostic Imaging replaces Radiology and may be completed as hours or weeks (2 weeks or 80 hours required)
- Internal Medicine/Critical Care must be completed as weeks (3 weeks for small animal, 2 weeks for large animal). Internal Medicine subspecialties are allowed.
- Pathology training may occur as weeks or hours (1 week or 40 hours required)
- Large animal residents have one additional week in diagnostic Imaging, anesthesia, internal medicine, emergency/critical care or sports medicine
- *Residents who complete specialty service rotations as hours rather than weeks will have 23 or 24 optional weeks to record in the Activity log.
Credentials application must be submitted within 5 years of end of residency program.
Primary Surgeon role defined.
Semi-Annual Reviews - training must be denied at time of review for current evaluation period only. Designation of resident's status at time of review is final.
Residents must update log for each evaluation period. Residents wishing to add old items to their logs must provide additional documentation.

2012-13 Residency Program Guidelines

Summary of changes to the Guidelines in 2012:

An outline of the certification process has been added.
A mechanism has been added to the Resident Training Log system that will prevent late items from being reviewed by the Resident Credentialing Committee. Late items are those which have been added to or updated in the system after the deadlines of February 1 and August 1.
Requests for early publication review can be submitted by email to residency@acvs.org.
A clearer process has been defined for managing residents receiving minimally acceptable reviews on the Semi-Annual Review in the Resident Training Log.
A clearer process has been defined for managing residents who leave or are terminated from their programs.
Items from the Resident Training Log that have been declined by the Resident Credentialing Committee should be revised by the resident and resubmitted for the subsequent review period.
A number of clarifications to the wording have been made throughout the document - items have been noted as "Clarification" or "Updated" where necessary.

2011-12 Residency Program Guidelines

Summary of changes to the Guidelines in 2011:

The Program Director's Statement has been revised. The new form must be used for all residents starting between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012.
The Registration of Resident Advisor has been revised. The new form must be used for all residents starting between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012.
Form 1c - Statement of Compliance to ACVS Residency Program Guidelines has been added. The new form must be completed by all residents starting and submitted to ACVS within 30 days of the program start date.
External Surgical Rotation Form has been added. This form is required by all residents who complete surgical rotations at program locations other than their main residency site. It will need to be submitted as part of the credentials application. The form is required for all residents starting July 1, 2011 or later, but residents whose programs began earlier are encouraged to use the form as well.
The text regarding manuscripts has been clarified. Manuscripts must follow a scientific approach (but not necessarily the scientific method).
The text regarding seminars has been clarified. Seminars must be on distinctly different topics; the title of the seminar should be descriptive of the content; the resident need not enter more than 6 seminars once 6 have been approved by the committee.
The Program Director initiates Program Completion.
The Resident Credentialing Committee will review logs two times per year. New deadlines are February 1 and August 1. For each six-month period, the following should occur - all items should be completed by the review dates:
- The resident should enter all cases, activity weeks, seminars and specialty services by the end of the six-month period.
- The Resident Advisor will need to approve all cases, weeks and seminars, as well as complete the Semi-Annual Review and submit for Program Director approval.
- The Specialty Service supervisors must approve rotations during that time period.
- The Program Director must approve the Semi-Annual Review.

2010-11 Residency Program Guidelines

Summary of changes to the Guidelines in 2010:

The Program Director's Statement has been revised. The new form must be used for all residents starting between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011.
The text regarding the alternative training program has been clarified. Examples have been provided.
Manuscripts submitted to ACVS must include title page.
Only one manuscript may be submitted for early review at a time.
Matriculation Fee and Transfer fee have been instituted. See guidelines for full policies regarding payment and refund.

2009-10 Residency Program Guidelines

Summary of changes to the Guidelines in 2009:

The Program Director's Statement has been revised. Question 3 has been revised to reflect that only Specialty Service rotations can be performed in other than week blocks for all programs begin July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010.
The text regarding the internship requirement has been clarified. It is the decision of training programs to decide if prior experience may be used in lieu of the one-year internship.
A “week” of training has been officially defined as a minimum of 5 days of training occurring during a 7-day period.
- Only training that occurs in week blocks can be counted toward the Special Rotation requirement of 31 weeks.
- Specialty service rotations (Anesthesia, Radioloy, Internal Medicine/Critical Care, and Pathology) that take place as hours or days over time can no longer count toward the 31-week Special Rotation requirement. These rotations can only count toward the 31 weeks if they take place in week-long blocks.
The Resident Credentialing Committee (RCC) will review no more than 60 weeks of a resident’s training during any given annual review by the RCC.
Residents with more than 8 weeks of training prior to August 1 must submit that training for the annual RCC review.
The explanation of the seminar requirement has been expanded. Seminars must promote exposure to a broad variety of surgically related subjects and allow the resident to gain experience giving a formal presentation followed by a discussion period in a public forum.
A Minimally Invasive Surgery category has been added to the Small Animal Curriculum. Residents in small animal programs must now document 20 cases in the MIS category, with at least 15 of the cases being directly supervised by an ACVS Diplomate.
The Radiology specialty service requirement must consist of general diagnostic imaging.

2008-09 Residency Program Guidelines

Summary of changes to the Guidelines in 2008:

The Program Director's Statement has been revised. There are three questions on page 2 of the form that must be answered for all residents whose programs begin July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009.

Veterinary Surgeons/Professionals

Residency Guidelines