EARNING BOARD CERTIFICATION AS A DIPLOMATE OF THE ACVO
What is the ACVO?
BECOMING A DACVO® - ADDITIONAL EDUCATION
The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists® is an organization, not an actual physical location, that has established certifying criteria for veterinary ophthalmologists. After a person graduates from college (4 years) and then veterinary school (4 years), he/she usually completes a 1 year internship in small animal medicine and surgery. The person then serves a 3 year residency in ophthalmology at either a veterinary teaching hospital or at a boarded ophthalmologists' clinic under the supervision of ophthalmologists. Once the residency is completed the board certification process begins, first with a credentials package. If the credentials are accepted by the ACVO Exam Committee, the applicant is allowed to take the examination. The exam is a four day process consisting of written, practical, and surgical parts. Finally, after passing all of the above criteria, the veterinarian is recognized as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists® or in short, board certified in veterinary ophthalmology.
CONTACT INFORMATION
If you would like more information about credentials requirements please contact Dr. David Maggs at . For more information about residency programs please contact Dr. Diane Hendrix at .
What is required for a MD ophthalmologist to become certified as a veterinary ophthalmologist?
ACVO does not have any specific regulations within that would cover a "transfer" of credentials. Rather the College applies general regulations to all applicants which state that to become a veterinary ophthalmologist one
must:
1. Be a veterinarian.
2. Have attained the minimum required veterinary experience. (currently 48 months; 12 months of which must be prior to residency training)
3. Have completed or be scheduled to complete an ACVO-approved
residency training program by August 1st of the year in which
the examination is to be taken.
4. Be of satisfactory ethical standing.
5. Have completed and submitted by the deadline all documentation and
fees required as part of the credentialing process.
It is understood that most state licensing boards have similar requirements installed. Ultimately one must first be a veterinarian to become a veterinary ophthalmologist. Contact the ACVO residency committee if you have questions about how to proceed.
