WHAT IS MEANS TO BE A BOARD CERTIFIED
​INTERNIST

Specialties recognized by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) include Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Oncology and Neurology. To become board certified an applicant must complete four years of veterinary education and become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). After completing the DVM degree at least one year of a rotating internship is required.

Once the internship is completed the doctor can apply for a three-year residency program in approved institutions. During the second year of residence there is a qualifier exam.

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Once this exam is passed the resident can sit for the third-year credentialing exam. This examination is two days of theoretical and practical knowledge. ACVIM grants board certification to applicants only after successfully completing a residency program, including clinical practice, research, and publications in scientific journals, and passing both tests.

This is a rigorous process and only the people that have successfully completed all these steps can call themselves Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.