What is a Board Certified Veterinary Specialist?
July 24, 2016
Veterinary specialists are veterinarians who have completed additional training in a specific area of veterinary medicine and passed an exam that evaluates their knowledge and skills in their specialty area. Ethos Veterinary Health hospitals provide specialty care in the areas of Anesthesia & Pain Management, 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.
Specialists have completed the extensive postgraduate requirements of their specialty organization. Their expertise complements that of your family veterinarian, and we work closely together behind the scenes. You may be referred to one of our hospitals and specialists if your pet’s condition requires specialized equipment and expertise. Our team works with you and your vet to gather all the background information on your pet’s medical condition. Following discharge from our hospital, our team sends your family vet all the medical records and has follow up conversations so your vet can continue to provide life-long care.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recognizes 22 veterinary specialty organizations and 41 distinct specialties. More than 11,000 veterinarians have been awarded diplomate status in one or more of these specialty organizations by completing postgraduate training, education, and examination requirements.
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 where they wish to practice.
- If a doctor wants to move to another state, he or she has to submit paperwork to show that they have maintained their license (through continued education) and apply for a new license in a new state.
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 an 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.