ACVIM
ACVIM Board Certification Examination
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ExploreAbout this exam
The ACVIM is the international certifying organization for veterinary specialists in cardiology, large animal internal medicine, neurology, nutrition, oncology and small animal internal medicine, with over 3,000 members worldwide. Its board certification pathway is aimed at veterinarians who have completed approved residency training and are preparing to be credentialed as Diplomates in one of those six specialties. Candidates move through a structured sequence: becoming a candidate, completing an approved residency training program, navigating credentials and timelines, then preparing for and sitting the General Exam and the specialty-specific exam. The published site navigation also points candidates to pass rate history, exam special request forms, and a General Exam fee waiver program, which are worth reviewing early because they affect scheduling and eligibility decisions. Preparation is specialty-driven. Each of the six specialties has its own resource page and course catalog, and the ACVIM offers more than 200 hours of continuing education annually across those areas. Candidates typically combine residency case experience with journal reading, particularly the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, which is open access and free to read worldwide, plus specialty-focused journals. Because this independent study platform is not affiliated with the ACVIM, candidates should confirm all current requirements, fees, and deadlines directly with the ACVIM before making decisions.
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About ACVIM preparation
What does ACVIM board certification actually certify?
It designates a veterinarian as a Diplomate specialist within one of six ACVIM-recognized specialties. The ACVIM describes itself as the international certifying organization for veterinary specialists in cardiology, large animal internal medicine, neurology, nutrition, oncology and small animal internal medicine, with over 3,000 members worldwide. Certification follows completion of approved residency training and successful examination.
What is the exam format?
The ACVIM publishes a General Exam plus separate specialty exams, and its site includes pass rate history and exam special request forms. This platform's profile lists multiple choice as the format, but the number of questions, time limit and passing score are not stated in the source material, so verify those details directly with the ACVIM.
How are the six specialties weighted?
The ACVIM organizes resources, courses and journals by specialty rather than by a published weighting. Each candidate sits the General Exam plus the exam for their own specialty, so preparation should follow your specialty's resource page and course catalog rather than an even split across all six areas.
How should I sequence my study plan?
Start with the General Exam, since it is common to all candidates, and build a broad internal medicine foundation before narrowing into your specialty. Then layer specialty-specific material from your specialty's resource page and course catalog. Reading the open access Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine throughout gives you current literature context that supports both exams.
What are the most common failure modes?
The ACVIM does not publish item-level failure analysis in the available source material, so treat any specific list with caution. Practically, candidates most often underprepare the general internal medicine breadth while over-focusing on their specialty, or they neglect current literature. Reviewing published pass rate history helps you calibrate expectations before scheduling.
Can I retake the exam if I do not pass?
The source material available here does not state a retake policy, number of permitted attempts, or waiting periods. Because exam policies are revised periodically, confirm the current retake rules with the ACVIM before you rely on any assumption about re-sitting the General or specialty exam.
What does it cost and are fee waivers available?
Specific exam fees are not stated in the source material and should be confirmed with the ACVIM. The ACVIM site does list a General Exam Fee Waiver Program among its certification resources, so candidates for whom cost is a barrier should review that program early, before registration deadlines.
How long is certification valid and what is required to maintain it?
The ACVIM lists Maintenance of Credentials (MOC) along with pre-approved meetings, pre-approved journals and annual dues as part of maintaining certification. The specific validity period is not stated in the available source material, so check the MOC pages directly for current requirements and cycle length.
How much continuing education does the ACVIM offer for preparation?
The ACVIM states it offers over 200 hours of CE annually across its specialties, delivered through specialty course catalogs that include live, virtual and on-demand formats. These courses can supplement residency experience and journal reading, but they are continuing education rather than an official exam blueprint.