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What is a Board Certified Specialist?

July 24, 2016

Veterinary specialists are veterinarians who have completed additional training in a specific area of veterinary medicine and passed an examination that evaluates their knowledge and skills in that specialty area. Currently, the American Veterinary Medical Association recognizes 22 veterinary specialty organizations comprising 41 distinct specialties. More than 11,000 veterinarians have been awarded diplomate status in one or more of these specialty organizations by completing rigorous postgraduate training, education, and examination requirements.

Ethos Veterinary Health hospitals offer specialty care in the areas of Anesthesia & Pain Management, Behavior, Cardiology, Dentistry, Dermatology, Radiology, Emergency and Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Medical and Radiation Oncology, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Physical Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine, Theriogenology  (Reproductive Medicine), and Surgery. All of our specialists have completed the extensive postgraduate requirements of respective specialty organization and are board-certified.

Our specialist’s expertise complements that of your primary veterinarian. You may be referred to a member of our team if diagnosing or treating your pet’s health problem requires specialized equipment and/or expertise that your veterinarian does not have.

What Do You Need to Do to Become a Board Certified Veterinary Specialist?

In order to obtain the title of board certified veterinary specialist and receive Diplomate status, individuals must complete all of the following steps in the chosen field of specialty study.

Becoming a Veterinarian

A veterinarian is an individual with DVM or VMD after their name, who has completed the following educational requirements:

  • Receive an undergraduate degree.
  • Complete four years of veterinary school.
  • Pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE) in order to achieve licensing.
  • Pass the licensing exam for the state in which they wish to practice.

Becoming a Veterinary Specialist

A board certified specialist is an individual with a DVM/VMD and the letters DACV… plus the initials of the area of their study, following their name. To receive board certification they must complete all of the following educational requirements:

  • Receive an undergraduate degree.
  • Complete four years of veterinary school.
  • Receive advanced training during a one-year internship program.
  • Participate in a three-year residency program completing specific training and caseload requirements under the supervision of other board-certified individuals.
  • Conduct research and publish in scientific journals.

Following this training, candidates must submit a credentials application then pass a rigorous examination evaluating knowledge and training in the specific area of specialization.

Once all credentials have been met, and the individual passes the exam, the status of board-certified specialist is granted.

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