2023 Phase II Surgical Competency Examination
February 13–14, 2023 (Americas and Europe)
February 14–15, 2023 (Asia and Oceania)
Registration closed: July 25, 2022, 11:59 pm (Eastern Daylight Time)
Examination fee deadline: November 7, 2022
Complete registration includes submitting the online application and paying the examination fee.
- Pay online no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time, November 7.
- 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.
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. Candidate information is being added to the Pearson scheduling system. ACVS anticipates that candidates will receive the authorization emails no later than August 17.
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 Materials
- 2023 Phase II Surgical Competency Examination Information Pamphlet
- 2023 Phase II Reading List:
- Large Animal list changes:
- Joint Disease in the Horse has been removed (McIlwraith, 2nd Ed, 2016)
- Small animal list changes:
- Suggested references from the Phase I reading list have been updated
- Small animal journal list has been divided into three and five-year periods
- Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery has been added
- Large Animal list changes:
- 2023 Phase II Examination Contingency Plan
- Tips for Taking the ACVS Examinations
- Navigation hints from the 2022 examination
- Navigation sample (PDF)
- Navigation sample (video)*
*This example shows the case-based section but applies to practical section navigation as well for the 2023 examination.
Examination Schedule
|
Location |
Date |
Session |
|
Virtual Americas and Europe Americas and Europe Asia and Oceania Asia and Oceania |
To be determined Monday, February 13 Tuesday, February 14 Tuesday, February 14 Wednesday, February 15 |
Examination Information Session Small Animal Practical—Parts 1 and 2 Small Animal Case-based—Orthopedic/Neurosurgery and Soft Tissue Small Animal Practical—Parts 1 and 2 Small Animal Case-based—Orthopedic/Neurosurgery and Soft Tissue |
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 Steve Brodt at sbrodt@acvs.org or (301) 916-0200, x123.
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 meetings, publishing manuscripts, serving on ACVS committees, and participating in resident training. View the ACVS Diplomate Maintenance of Certification Policies and Procedures.
