Surgery residents must complete the requirements as outlined in the ACVS Residency Training Standards and Requirements in effect at the start of their residency.

New veterinary surgery residents can find important information and registration instructions—including details on applicable residency fees—on the Your Veterinary Surgery Residency page.

2026–2027 ACVS Residency Training Standards and Requirements (Standards)

Residency Training Standards and Requirements (July 2026–June 2027)

Summary of changes

• Residents are responsible for ensuring that ACVS has their current contact information.
• Residents whose program is discontinued must notify the office.
• The Resident Credentialing Committee will not review early manuscripts requests and requests to add a journal to the Approved Journals List at the same time. Only manuscripts in journals already on the approved list will be reviewed.
• Credentialing cycle clarification: Residents must apply for credentials within five consecutive credentialing cycles following the completion of their residency, as established in their Semi-Annual Review.
• Updated data policy: ACVS staff may only access data needed for their duties.
• ACVS is pursuing a new governance and organizational structure that separates ACVS credentialing functions from membership activities to ensure autonomy in certification-related decisions. Certification requirements remain unchanged. Implementation expected in 2027.