Board Certification

What is a Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons?

Before doing any surgery that has to do with a joint in your dog, please ask of your surgeon to make sure that they are Board Certified Veterinary Surgeons and Diplomats of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) and as such have successfully completed the certification requirements of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Quoting the American College of Veterinary Surgeons website regarding the required certifications:

The term “ACVS Diplomat” refers to a veterinarian who has been board certified in veterinary surgery. Only veterinarians who have successfully completed the certification requirements of the ACVS are Diplomats of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and have earned the right to be called specialists in veterinary surgery.

Veterinarians wishing to become board certified must:

– complete a three-year residency program at an accredited college
– meet specific training and caseload requirements
– perform research and have their research published

This process is supervised by current ACVS Diplomats, ensuring consistency in training and adherence to high standards.

Once the residency has been completed, the resident must sit for and pass a rigorous examination. Only then does the veterinarian earn the title of ACVS Diplomat.