Examination Applications
Applications for future examinations are accepted only during published application windows. Applicants are encouraged to review all instructions and review their applications carefully before submitting.
Phase I Applications
2026 Phase I applications window: August 1 – September 15, 2025
2026 Phase I examination: March 17 and 18
2027 Phase 1 applications window: August 3 – September 14, 2026
2027 Phase 1 examination: March 16 and 17
For more information about deadlines, visit Phase I page.
Phase I candidate fee: $350
Required forms for Phase I application
**Note: Please be sure to use only the current forms found on this site and ensure the forms have been saved with all required boxes checked and signatures showing.
- Terms of Agreement Form
- Phase I Sponsor Form
- English (or English-translated and notarized) veterinary diploma from an AVMA-accredited or AVMA-listed international veterinary school. Please note: any document with translation needs notarization (with stamp and signature) or to be a certified translation (with a stamp and signature from the certified translation company).
Phase II Applications
2026 Phase II applications window: December 15 – February 12
2026 Phase II examination: August 10, 11, and 12
2027 Phase II application window: December 14 – February 11
2027 Phase II examination: August 9, 10, and 11
For more information about deadlines, visit the Phase II page.
Phase II candidate fee: $850
Required forms for Phase II application
**Note: Please be sure to use only the current forms found on this site and ensure the forms have been saved with all required boxes checked and signatures showing.
Criteria to Repeat Examinations
If a candidate fails the Phase I Examination, they are eligible to apply to repeat the examination the following year. There is no limit to the number of attempts or years a candidate may repeat the Phase I Examination.
After passing the Phase I Examination, candidates are allowed four attempts within 10 Phase II Examination cycles to pass the Phase II Examination. The 10 cycles include the Phase II Examination in the year that the candidate passed Phase I, regardless of eligibility to take Phase II that year. If a candidate has not passed the Phase II Examination after four attempts, or has exceeded their 10-cycle limit, they must apply for, retake, and pass the Phase I Examination prior to retaking the Phase II Examination. (Note: The Phase II Examination was not administered in 2020. Therefore, 2020 will not count toward the 10-cycle limit). The four attempts that a candidate is given to pass the Phase II Examination will be calculated as the sum of attempts that occur in Ames, Tampa, or remote locations.
See table below specifying the final year in which a candidate may attempt to pass the Phase II examination, according to the year they pass Phase I.
Phase II Eligibility Time Limits
| Year Passed Phase I Examination | Final Year to Pass Phase II Examination |
| 2016 | 2026 |
| 2017 | 2027 |
| 2018 | 2028 |
| 2019 | 2029 |
| 2020 | 2030 |
| 2021 | 2030* |
| 2022 | 2031* |
| 2023 | 2032* |
| 2024 | 2033* |
| 2025 | 2034* |
| 2026 | 2036* |
*No Phase II examination was offered in 2020.
Application Tips and Notes
Tips
- Enter your name exactly as it appears on your government-issued ID (required at examination administration). If a name change occurred since the veterinary diploma was awarded, the candidate must upload a photocopy of any legal documentation attesting to this change.
- Double-check that all training dates are noted accurately.
- Use only current Terms of Agreement and Sponsor forms found on the ACVP website at the time of application. Use of older forms (kept on file at your institution) may slow the credentialing process. Double-check that the forms you plan to submit show all required boxes checked and signatures saved before uploading.
- For Phase I application: Provide a legible image of your English-language veterinary medicine diploma or English-translated and notarized copy of your diploma. If a diploma is not available, then a transcript is only an acceptable substitute for a diploma if it specifically states “the DVM degree was conferred on” with a date. Transcripts in a language other than English must be English-translated and notarized. (Required for Phase I application only.)
- Examination fee is due at the time of application submission. ACVP accepts American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa.
- Be aware of the date by which you can anticipate hearing about acceptance to sit for the examination, noted on the ACVP website. You will be notified at least 120 days prior to examination administration, per American Board of Veterinary Specialties requirements.
Notes
- Upon successful submission of the completed application (including all required forms) you will advance to the payment page. If you arrive on the payment page, your application has been successfully submitted. No separate verification of application is sent by the system. Upon payment, you will be sent a receipt for the fee.
- Applicants and sponsors will be notified of acceptance to sit for the examination, via email, no less than 120 days prior to the examination date. If notification is not received by the published notification date, contact [email protected].
- If an applicant’s credentials are not accepted, or if a candidate’s request to withdraw from the examination is received by the withdrawal deadline, fees will be refunded (minus processing fee). No refunds will be made after the withdrawal deadline and no fees may be carried over to apply in subsequent years.
- The Phase II application fee will be automatically refunded for any candidates who apply for both the Phase I and Phase II examinations and do not pass the Phase I examination.
- Withdrawal prior to the examination, or failure to appear for the examination, will not constitute an attempt to sit the examination. A candidate’s illness during preparation for, or during the actual examination, will not be considered a valid reason to waive the rules of the College. In the event a candidate starts, but is unable to complete the examination, results will be reported and will constitute an attempt to sit the examination.
ADA Accommodations
ACVP complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act by providing reasonable accommodations. Requests for accommodations must be submitted by stated deadline for each Phase.
Read more about Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodations and apply.
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Questions
Contact [email protected].