Entrust your animal's care to a board-certified specialist.

Recognized Veterinary Specialties

Veterinarians who certify in a RVS become a Diplomate of that RVS. All veterinarians interested in attaining Diplomate status with the ABVP are encouraged to first download and thoroughly read the Applicant Handbook. The Applicant Handbook provides answers to all commonly asked questions and systematically guides you through the application and credentials process.

Veterinarians considering certification in two or more RVS’s should be aware of the following:

  • Specialty Examinations for all RVS’s are scheduled during the same time on the same day. It is not possible for a candidate to sit for more than one Specialty Examination in the same year.
  • Each candidate has three consecutive years to pass the necessary examinations to become a Diplomate.

Below you will find special notes on particular RVS’s. If you have additional questions beyond what is covered below and in the Applicant Handbook, please contact the ABVP.

Once you are ready to apply, you will need to create an online account. All applications, fees, and credentials are submitted via your account. To create an account, please go to the Member Log-In page and follow the prompts.

Avian Practice

Practitioner Path

  • ABVP considers an average of ten avian cases per week as the minimum exposure that may provide sufficient experience to consider candidacy for Avian Practice certification.
  • Recognize that the complexity and variety of case presentations may require a greater caseload in order to obtain sufficient experience.

Residency Path

  • Utilize the self-evaluation form to aid in assuring that the residency experience is sufficient in breadth and depth to qualify an applicant for ABVP Diplomate status.
  • ABVP has a concurrent residency pathway for those applicants who wish to obtain the necessary credentials to qualify for up to two RVS's at once. Although the residency will cover both Avian, ECM, and/or RA, the applicant will complete two separate applications ? one for each RVS. Each application is separate and distinct from the other (including fees). The concurrent residency is to be a minimum of thirty-six months.

Exotic Companion Mammal Practice

Practitioner Path

  • Traditional pocket pets including ferrets, rabbits, mice, rats, and other small pet mammals.
  • ABVP considers an average of ten exotic companion mammal cases per week as the minimum exposure that may provide sufficient experience to consider candidacy for ECM certification.
  • Recognize that the complexity and variety of case presentations may require a greater caseload in order to obtain sufficient experience.

Residency Path

  • Utilize the self-evaluation form to aid in assuring that the residency experience is sufficient in breadth and depth to qualify an applicant for ABVP Diplomate status.
  • ABVP has a concurrent residency pathway for those applicants who wish to obtain the necessary credentials to qualify for up to two RVS's at once. Although the residency will cover both Avian, ECM, and/or RA, the applicant will complete two separate applications ? one for each RVS. Each application is separate and distinct from the other (including fees). The concurrent residency is to be a minimum of thirty-six months.

Feline Practice

  • Not to be confused with Canine and Feline Practice, Feline Practice is for veterinarians who choose to be certified as feline only specialists.

Reptile and Amphibian Practice

Practitioner Path

  • Includes snakes, lizards, crocodilians, chelonians, tuataras, anurans, caudates, and caecilians. It does not include birds.

Residency Path

  • ABVP has a concurrent residency pathway for those applicants who wish to obtain the necessary credentials to qualify for up to two RVS's at once. Although the residency will cover both Avian, ECM, and/or RA, the applicant will complete two separate applications ? one for each RVS. Each application is separate and distinct from the other (including fees). The concurrent residency is to be a minimum of thirty-six months.

Swine Health Management