Membership
Membership in the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) is limited to those individuals who have achieved board certification from ACVS. Requirements for admission to the College can be found in the ACVS Constitution and Bylaws.
Members of the College are referred to as:
- Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons;
- Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, Large Animal;
- Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, Small Animal; or
- For dual certified Diplomates: Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons Large Animal, Diplomates, American College of Veterinary Surgeons, Small Animal
These titles indicate that the individual has successfully completed ACVS’s certification requirements, including residency training and examination, in the selected area of large animal or small animal specialization and is a member in good standing. Specialization in large animal surgery or small animal surgery was officially recognized for individuals board certified in 2004 and later.
Benefits of Membership
Active members receive the following benefits:
- Use of the Diplomate ACVS designation
- Print and online subscription to Veterinary Surgery
- Reduced registration rates for ACVS continuing education offerings, including the ACVS Surgery Summit and digital learning opportunities
- Monthly Cut to the Point email bulletin
- Use of the Veterinary Surgeon logo
- Inclusion in the online Find a Veterinary Surgeon directory and lists of active ACVS Diplomates
- Access to resources to promote board-certification status to the public and referring veterinarians.
Emeritus Diplomates receive the same benefits as active Diplomates with the exception of the annual subscription to Veterinary Surgery, which they can purchase through ACVS at the discounted member rate. The ACVS office will contact Emeritus Diplomates each year regarding the print subscription to the journal.
Value Your ACVS Membership!
Membership Categories
- Charter Diplomates: Recognized leaders in veterinary surgery who were invited by the organizing committee to become charter members.
- Active Diplomates: The ACVS Board of Regents approves these individuals after they have fulfilled the prescribed requirements and passed the certifying examination. Active Diplomates must be “members in good standing.” A member in good standing is an ACVS Diplomate whose dues payment is current and who has not, for other reasons, had his/her membership status changed.
- Emeritus Diplomates: Each active member of the College who meets criterion (a), (b), or (c) is granted Emeritus status and is not required to pay dues. Such an individual shall be known as Diplomate ACVS, Emeritus. The criteria are as follow:
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- If initially certified prior to 2016, reaches the age of sixty-five (65) years.
- If initially certified prior to 2016, reaches at least sixty (60) years of age and has retired from the active practice of surgery.
- If initially certified in 2016 or later, reaches at least sixty (60) years of age and has retired from the active practice of surgery.
- Honorary Members: Honorary members are nominated by the members and elected by the Board of Regents and the membership. The nominees must have unusual eminence in veterinary surgery or the allied professions.
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