Phase II Examination

2025 Phase II Surgical Competency Examination Dates

February 3-4: Pearson VUE Test Centers (Americas and Europe)

February 4-5: Pearson VUE Test Centers (Asia and Oceania)

Pearson Professional Test Centers

Registration deadline: July 22, 2024

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 2024, while waiting to see if credentials are accepted.  Should an individual’s credentials or recredentialing application not be accepted by ACVS, they are no longer eligible to take the Phase II examination, must cancel their appointment with Pearson VUE, and must request an examination fee refund if paid earlier than November 7.

Complete examination registration includes submitting the online application and paying the examination fee.

Please note that there are separate deadlines and fees for the credentials application and examination registration.

Registration application deadline: July 22, 2024, 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.

Examination fee

The examination fee is due November 7, 2024. There are two options for paying the fee:

• Pay online: The fee may be paid during the registration process in CERT or after registration by going to My Account, My Purchases in CERT.
• Submit the payment form. The payment form includes fillable fields and works best with Adobe Acrobat or Reader. Forms must be received before close of business on November 7. Mailed examination fee payments must arrive by close of business (5 pm Eastern Standard Time) on November 7, 2024, at the ACVS office.

Fee for first-time candidates = $2,620

Fee for repeat candidates = $1,875

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

Examination Materials

• 2025 Phase II Surgical Competency Examination Information Pamphlet
• 2025 Phase II Reading List
  • The reading periods for the large animal and small animal journals have been updated.

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 19, 2024.

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 Test 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

• Tips for Taking the ACVS Examinations
• Navigation hints for taking the examination
• Navigation sample (PDF)
• Contingency Policy (PDF)

Examination Schedule

Cancellation and Refund

If a candidate needs to cancel their examination registration, they must notify ACVS and cancel the appointment with Pearson VUE. A no-show fee may be incurred for cancellations within 24 hours of the examination appointment.

Examination fees will be refunded less a $75 administrative fee if a candidate withdraws more than 30 days before the examination. If a candidate withdraws within 30 days of the examination, the examination fee will be refunded only in cases of extenuating circumstances (e.g., death in the family, medical emergency). No-show fees will be deducted from any refund if the candidate was not previously invoiced.

Refer to the Phase II Surgical Competency Examination Information Pamphlet for the complete refund policy.

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

February 9–10, 2026