ACVP Veterinary Pathology

It is the two-part examination process that leads to board certification in veterinary anatomic or clinical pathology, administered by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists. Candidates complete the Phase I Examination followed by the Phase II Examinations. Confirm current structure and requirements through ACVP's Examination Overview and Candidate Handbook.

ACVP offers board certification in veterinary anatomic pathology or veterinary clinical pathology. The two disciplines are examined separately, so your preparation, residency training, and study plan should align with the specialty you are pursuing.

The process has two parts: the Phase I Examination and the Phase II Examinations. Detailed content, format, and administration information for each phase is published on ACVP's Phase I and Phase II examination pages and in the Candidate Handbook, which is the authoritative source for candidates.

Those specifics are set by ACVP and published in the Candidate Handbook and examination pages rather than in general summaries. Because formats and standards are periodically revised, check the current handbook and examination overview before you plan your schedule or set expectations.

Fees, application windows, and examination dates are established by ACVP and posted with the Examination Application materials. Verify them on ACVP's site each cycle, since amounts and dates can change between administrations and older figures circulating online may be out of date.

Retake and reapplication policies are governed by ACVP and described in its examination materials. Rather than assume a policy, review the current Candidate Handbook and contact ACVP directly so you understand eligibility, timing, and any limits before reapplying.

Most candidates build a foundation in general pathology and mechanisms first, then move to discipline-specific material, integrating slide and case review throughout. ACVP publishes a Job Task Analysis describing the knowledge and tasks the examination assesses, which is a sensible framework for organizing your study plan.

ACVP publishes an Examination Overview, Phase I and Phase II pages, a Candidate Handbook, application information, ADA accommodation information, and a Job Task Analysis. It also produces the journal Veterinary Pathology. Create and maintain a MyPath account to receive ACVP communications about the certifying examinations.

Common pitfalls include relying on outdated secondhand summaries instead of the current handbook, underweighting one discipline in a two-part process, and delaying slide and case-based practice until late in preparation. Confirm requirements and deadlines with ACVP directly and build image-based review into your routine early.