About ACVS
The American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) sets the standards for advanced professionalism in veterinary surgery. The American Board of Veterinary Specialties recognizes ACVS as the veterinary specialty organization for veterinary surgery.
ACVS currently includes 2,519 Diplomates. Approximately 70 veterinarians earn their Diplomate credentials every year.
Diplomate Demographics
Following the February 2024 examination, there are approximately 2,519 board-certified veterinary surgeons.
| Current employment distribution of ACVS Diplomates | ||
|---|---|---|
| Academic Institution: | 22.71% | |
| Armed Forces: | 0.36% | |
| Corporate: | 1.47% | |
| Private Practice: | 32.75% | |
| Private Referral-Only Practice | 33.78% | |
| Retired: | 3.97% | |
| Other/Unknown: | 4.96% | |
| Current practice emphasis of ACVS Diplomates | ||
|---|---|---|
| Note: Practice emphasis percentages are reflective of the number of members reporting practice in a particular species. ACVS Diplomates may indicate practice in more than one species and are counted separately in the percentages below for each species selected. | ||
| Equine General & Orthopedic: | 16.83% | |
| Equine General: | 2.98% | |
| Equine Orthopedic: | 1.98% | |
| Farm Animal General & Orthopedic: | 1.79% | |
| Farm Animal General: | 0.40% | |
| Farm Animal Orthopedic: | 0.20% | |
| Large Animal General & Orthopedic: | 6.55% | |
| Large Animal General: | 1.11% | |
| Large Animal Orthopedic: | 0.64% | |
| Small Animal General & Orthopedic: | 44.54% | |
| Small Animal General: | 7.58% | |
| Small Animal Orthopedic: | 6.63% | |
| Other/Unknown: | 16.91% | |
