Board Certification

The mission of the board of certification is to certify veterinarians and to identify for the public, quality veterinary professionals through a system of certification, adjudication, standards of practice, and continuing competency programs. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) established the American Board of Veterinary Specialties to maintain an organizational framework for board certification, oversee the development of veterinary specialty colleges or boards, and to monitor their performance in providing board certification. A veterinarian who meets the rigorous education, commonly three years of post-graduate, and training standards of an AVMA-recognized specialty college or board is awarded a diploma and is referred to as a diplomate of that college or board. The College of Veterinary Medicine has one of the highest caseloads in the nation and provides an interdisciplinary team approach to the diagnosis, treatment, and care of over 40,000 cases each year. The College boasts 43 board-certified veterinarians, who deliver quality, compassionate care.

Founded in 1975, the goal of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesiology is to establish, evaluate, and maintain the highest standards in the practice of veterinary anesthesiology by promoting establishment of educational facilities and clinical and research training in veterinary anesthesiology at the under-graduate and post-doctoral levels. To establish criteria of fitness for the designation of a specialist in the practice of veterinary anesthesiology. To advise the Council on Education of the AVMA on matters concerning approval of veterinary anesthesiology training programs.

The primary mission of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists is to promote education and training in behavior in animals. The college is actively involved in continuing education for practitioners.

Founded in 1972, the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine establishes requirements for postdoctoral education and experience prerequisite to certification in the specialties of veterinary internal medicine; examining and certifying veterinarians as specialists in veterinary internal medicine; encouraging research and other contributions to knowledge relating to diagnosis, therapy, prevention and control of animal diseases, and promoting communication and dissemination of this knowledge.

Founded in 1949, the mission of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists is to improve and protect human and animal health for the betterment of society through excellence in veterinary pathology. The college promotes the advancement and sharing of knowledge, life-long learning, and professional competency through its certifying examinations, educational programs, and journals.

Founded in 1988, the American Veterinary Dental College is the clinical specialist organization for veterinary dentists. The college is unusual among American Board of Veterinary Specialties-approved colleges in that the discipline largely developed as a result of interest and expertise developed by veterinarians in small animal practice, rather than as a result of being nurtured in veterinary schools. Human dentists have made significant contributions to the development of veterinary dentistry, and collaboration between the two professions is ongoing.

The American College of Veterinary Dermatology is an organization of veterinarians certified in veterinary dermatology, the study of disorders of the skin, hair, nails, and mouths of animals.

The main goals of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care is to promote advancement and high standards of practice for those individuals involved in veterinary emergency and critical care medicine. The college also establishes requirements and foster development of residency and alternative training programs for post-doctoral education and experience prerequisite to certification.

Founded in 1972, the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine establishes requirements for postdoctoral education and experience prerequisite to certification in the specialties of veterinary internal medicine; examining and certifying veterinarians as specialists in veterinary internal medicine; encouraging research and other contributions to knowledge relating to diagnosis, therapy, prevention and control of animal diseases, and promoting communication and dissemination of this knowledge.

Founded in 1961, the goal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology is to determine competence of voluntary candidates in veterinary radiology and to encourage the development of teaching personnel and training facilities in veterinary radiology.

The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine establishes requirements for post-doctoral education and experience prerequisite to certification in the specialties of veterinary internal medicine; examining and certifying veterinarians as specialists in veterinary internal medicine; encouraging research and other contributions to knowledge relating to diagnosis, therapy, prevention and control of animal diseases, and promoting communication and dissemination of this knowledge.

The primary objective of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition is to advance the specialty area of veterinary nutrition and increase the competence of those who practice in this field by establishing requirements for certification in veterinary nutrition, encouraging continuing professional education, promoting research, and enhancing the dissemination of new knowledge of veterinary nutrition through didactic teaching and postgraduate programs.

Founded in 1972, the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine establishes requirements for postdoctoral education and experience prerequisite to certification in the specialties of veterinary internal medicine; examining and certifying veterinarians as specialists in veterinary internal medicine; encouraging research and other contributions to knowledge relating to diagnosis, therapy, prevention and control of animal diseases, and promoting communication and dissemination of this knowledge.

Founded in 1966, the American College of Veterinary Surgeons defines the standards of surgical excellence for the profession, promotes advancements in veterinary surgery, and provides the latest in surgical educational programs. By fostering the highest standards of excellence in veterinary surgery, the American College of Veterinary Surgeons is helping the veterinary profession achieve its goals of providing outstanding service to the public and care to animals.

Founded in 1966, the American College of Veterinary Surgeons defines the standards of surgical excellence for the profession, promotes advancements in veterinary surgery, and provides the latest in surgical educational programs. By fostering the highest standards of excellence in veterinary surgery, the American College of Veterinary Surgeons is helping the veterinary profession achieve its goals of providing outstanding service to the public and care to animals.

The college strives for the advancement of knowledge; undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate education; research; and service in theriogenology (the science of breeding) by; the establishment of a certifying agency to recognize veterinarians as specialists in theriogenology, the encouragement of scientific investigation and research and the reporting of these, the development of continuing education methods and programs for disseminating information to and increasing knowledge of all veterinarians, especially practitioners, the development of graduate study and residency programs, and the establishment of high standards and guidelines for professional attainment and specialization.

National certification in Emergency and Critical Care, Anesthesia, or other specialties is awarded to a select number of technicians who go through an extensive application process, skills evaluation, and examination, and includes documentation of the following: significant work experience in the specialty, ongoing education, case logs and original case reports, and professional recommendations.