Register Your Program
ACVS will accept registration applications for the 2027–2028 residency year beginning on June 1, 2026. Program Directors must allow sufficient time to collect all required signatures prior to submitting the completed application to ACVS by 11:59 pm (ET) on August 10, 2026.
View the list of current Registered Residency Training Programs.
This list is updated annually on December 1 and as needed throughout the year.
Navigating ACVS Training Programs Definitions-Info Session Recording
2027–2028 ACVS Residency Training Standards and Requirements (Standards)
All programs must follow the policies and procedures detailed in the 2027–2028 Standards.
Summary of changes:
- External surgical rotation allowance increased from 11 to 16 weeks.
- Criteria for collaborative residency training programs were updated to account for the external surgical rotation allowance increase from 11 to 16 weeks.
- 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. The new structure will take effect on January 1, 2027.
Who Must Apply
Applications must be submitted by all programs interested in training or continuing to train residents during the July 2027–June 2028 residency year. Programs must have a valid registration period of July 1, 2027–June 30, 2028, to train residents.
- All prospective residency training programs and inactive programs must apply for registration.
- Currently registered programs must apply for renewal of registration.
- Suspended programs must apply for reinstatement once the deficiencies have been addressed.
Registered programs moving to inactive status in 2027 may submit a Transition to Inactive Status form in place of a renewal application to extend their current registration period one month, through July 31, 2027, to allow third-year (finishing) residents to complete training as scheduled. Deadline to submit: August 10, 2026.
If you have questions about the application or the registration process, please review Program Registration Frequently Asked Questions or CERT Help.
Complete the Program Registration Application
Current program directors may access their program registration application in CERT at cert.acvs.org. Log in using your ACVS website username and password.
New program directors must contact Sarah Donnelly, programs manager, at certification@acvs.org to initiate appropriate access to the online application in CERT.
Separate applications must be submitted for small animal, large animal-equine, and large animal-general programs; however, if the same ACVS Diplomate serves as program director for large animal-general and large animal-equine residencies, only one large animal application is required.
Institutions/practices applying as collaborative or independent (multisite) residency training programs will submit one application detailing the required information for each of the collaborating sites.
Sign and Submit the Application
Applications must be signed by the program director, all core and supporting ACVS Diplomates participating in the program, and the department chair or hospital medical director for each site. All signatures are collected online. Signatories will be notified by email and provided a link to access, review, and sign the application.
Program directors are responsible for providing accurate email addresses for all required signatories in the application. Program directors must allow sufficient time to collect all required signatures prior to submitting the completed application to ACVS before 11:59 pm (ET), August 10, 2026. Applications with missing signatures are not accepted. Late applications are not accepted.
Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program (VIRMP)
Programs that use the matching program must provide in their VIRMP program descriptions information about their current registration status with ACVS. ACVS will notify programs of the outcome of their registration application by December 1 and should amend their VIRMP listings accordingly. More information on the matching program can be found at www.virmp.org.
Questions
Refer to the Frequently Asked Questions page. Additional questions about residency training program registration can be directed to Sarah Donnelly, programs manager, at sdonnelly@acvs.org or (301) 916-0200 x120.
