Certification Frequently Asked Questions

Applying For Certification

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APPLYING FOR CERTIFICATION

I am interested in applying for ABVP certification. What do I need to do?

The first step in learning more about certification in ABVP is to download and review the ABVP Applicant Handbook. It is easily accessible as a PDF file on the ABVP website at www.abvp.com. The Handbook will outline all the information regarding eligibility requirements, fees, and credential requirements. The Handbook is the single greatest source of information on certification. If you have additional questions, do not hesitate to contact the ABVP office.

Do I need to have 6 years before I can apply for certification?

You must complete six years of acceptable experience in the practice category in which certification is sought by the time the exam occurs in November – not the application or credentials packet deadline.  In other words, you can submit your application and application fee in September and your credentials packet the following January as long as you will have six years of experience by the time you sit for the exam in November.

Example:
As of August 2010, you have five years of experience and will have six years of acceptable experience in August 2011.  Since you will have six years of acceptable experience in the practice category you are seeking certification in before you would sit for the exam in November 2011, you can start the application process. 

These are the steps you will follow:
September 1, 2010 – Submit application and application fee
January 15, 2011 – Submit completed credentials packet
November 2011 – Sit for the exam (pending approval of your application and credentials packet)

Be aware that the six-year requirement does not apply to those enrolled in an approved ABVP Residency program. Consult the Residency Handbook for further information.

I do not know an ABVP Diplomate who can serve as a reference for me. Do I have to have one?

At least one Applicant Evaluation Form must be completed by a board-certified Diplomate of ABVP or another AVMA-recognized veterinary specialty board (e.g. ACVIM, ACVO, etc) or a recognized Specialist from an International Veterinary Specialty College or Board; specifically, (a) a Diplomate of the European Board of Veterinary Specialists (b) a Fellow of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists or (c) a Veterinarian with Diploma Status in the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Evaluators must be veterinarians who are familiar with your professional abilities, competence, ethics, and integrity. Letters of recommendation may not be substituted for the evaluation form. Please contact the American Board of Veterinary Specialties within the AVMA for a complete list of recognized veterinary specialty certifications.

I am not a US resident and did not graduate from a US college. Am I still eligible to apply?

Yes. The first requirement of eligibility to apply for certification is that a veterinarian must be a graduate of a college of veterinary medicine approved or accredited by the AVMA, hold a certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates, or be licensed to practice in the United States, Canada, or any other country.

I have images to include in my case report, but they are slightly smaller that 5”x7”. Is this OK?

Yes, as long as your images are large enough that the reviewer is clearly able to see what you are referencing. These should not be photocopies, but high-quality computer generated images if possible. Original quality images need to be in all five copies of the case reports submitted.

When will I hear back regarding whether or not my credentials were accepted?

Applications and application fees are due September 1 of every year and credentials packets are due the following January 15.  It takes approximately four months to review all submitted materials following the January 15 deadline. Applicants should be notified of their status by May 15. Those whose credentials are accepted become eligible to sit for the examination. Those whose credentials are not accepted have two more years of eligibility to resubmit their materials. The deadline to register for the exam is September 1.

Will I find out the results of my application and credentials packet more quickly if I submit my credentials packet well in advance of the January 15 deadline?

No. The Credentials Committee reviews all credentials together and does so only after the credentials packet deadline. If you submit your credentials several months in advance, it will receive only a cursory review for completeness and remain filed away until after January 15.

If my credentials are judged unacceptable, can I revise and resubmit them?

In most cases, Applicants may revise errors found in their credentials materials for resubmission. However, they must wait until the following year to do so by officially reapplying. Applicants may not “fix” their deficiencies and resubmit them for consideration in the same credentials cycle as their original submission. Failed Case Reports may only be resubmitted if they are judged suitable for revision. Otherwise, a new case must be submitted.

If my credentials are not accepted and I choose to file an appeal, what is the process?

A person who believes his/her credentials were improperly rejected by ABVP may petition for reconsideration only on the grounds that the decision (a) disregarded the established criteria for certification or approval, (b) failed to follow ABVP’s stated procedures, or (c) failed to consider relevant evidence and documentation presented.

Appeals should be submitted in writing to the ABVP Executive Director within 30 days after the announcement of the initial decision. The appeal must include a statement of the grounds for review and any documentation, if any, in support of the appeal. After an appeal has been filed, the Appeals Committee shall consider the request and make a ruling in time for the Applicant to register for the certification exam should the original decision be overturned.

I am resubmitting my credentials that were not accepted last year. What do I need to send?

You only need to send your revised application materials, resubmission fee and the Resubmission Application. You do not need to resubmit any documents that were already judged acceptable. If you are uncertain which documents were deemed acceptable, please consult the “Form 3” you received as part of your official notification.

What is the difference between the Practical Examination and the Specialty Examination?

The Practical Exam typically has an audio-visual component and examinees will only be in the room with others who are testing in the same practice category. The Specialty Exam is strictly a paper-based test and is generally much longer than the Practical Exam. The Specialty Exam for all practice categories takes place at the same time in the same room. Both exams take place over the first or second weekend of November in Chicago.

What is the typical exam timeline?

Applicants are notified by May 15 whether their credentials are accepted. Candidates must then register for the certification exam by September 1. Exams are given the first or second weekend in November. Test scores must be posted online within 45 days. The Council of Regents meets before then to determine the passing point. Letters go out soon after the posting of scores online to officially notify examinees whether they passed or failed. Candidates who pass the exam are immediately granted Diplomate status.

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APPLYING FOR RECERTIFICATION

I originally certified in [year] . When am I eligible to begin the recertification process?

Diplomates are eligible to recertify in their 8th, 9th and 10th years of certification. For example, a Diplomate who originally certified in 2002 may recertify in 2010, 2011 or 2012. Doing so extends certification for ten years beyond the original certification period – not ten years beyond the year in which the recertification requirement is met. In other words, certification obtained in 2002 remains in effect until 2012, while recertification will extend the certification to 2022, regardless of whether recertification was actually achieved in the 8th, 9th or 10th year.

I am a current Diplomate who needs to recertify. What are my options?

ABVP Diplomates have two options to recertify, (1) taking and passing the Specialty Examination, or (2) accumulating credits (re-credentialing). Recertification packets for credit accumulation are due by January 15. Recertification exam registrations are due by September 1. The exam is held every November in Chicago.

If I want to recertify by taking the exam, which part must I sit?

The ABVP certification examination consists of the Practical Examination and the Specialty Examination. However, Diplomates seeking recertification are only required to sit and pass the specialty portion. The Specialty Examination is generally given on Saturday and is a 300 question multiple choice exam. It is given in two sections, each consisting of 150 questions and tests the knowledge of information applicable to established disciplines within the designated practice category.

How do I earn credits if I want to recertify by re-credentialing?

To recertify through the re-credentialing route, ABVP requires that a Diplomate accumulate 500 approved credits. Credits are earned for a number of activities, including attending conferences, writing publications, teaching, developing questions for the ABVP exam and reviewing Case Reports. Each activity is assigned a certain number of credits. Please consult the Recertification section of the ABVP website for complete details about the re-credentialing option.

If I submit an application for recertification by accumulating credits and am unsuccessful, can I switch paths by taking the exam.

Yes, you can switch recertification paths. A Diplomate has a total of six opportunities (three by credit accumulation, three by exam) to recertify within the allotted three year time period. During that time, he/she may attempt to recertify by any method available. Should a Diplomate fail to recertify by credit accumulation, he/she will be notified in time to register for the exam should they choose to change paths.

My Diplomate status has expired. How do I get it back?

Diplomates who fail to recertify within the allotted three years of eligibility, may, for a period of three years following the loss of their certification, re-enter the examination process as a Candidate by submitting an application and paying the initial exam fee. Both sections of the examination (Practical and Specialty) must be successfully completed for certification to be regained. However, after the three year period has expired, a former Diplomate must start completely over by entering the process as an Applicant.

Can a Diplomate certified in one practice category become certified in another category?

Yes. Any Diplomate can apply to become certified in a second practice category. However, they must submit a complete application packet for their second practice category. No fees are waived and no shortcuts or “fast-track” options are available for existing Diplomates seeking another species certification. Diplomates are only required to pay one annual Diplomate fee no matter how many certifications they hold with ABVP.