About Us

Contacts

Table of Contents

Annual Report Form
- RVSO (.rtf)

Annual Report Form
- RVS (.rtf)

Veterinary Specialty Organizations

Veterinary Specialists Market Statistics

= AVMA/SAVMA  Members Only

Some files on this page require Adobe Acrobat Reader software. Click on the image above to download it for free from the Adobe site.

1. Annual reports
   
   
   1. AVMA staff will mail electronic and hard copies of the annual report forms (see Appendix B (PDF)) to the ABVS representative from each fully recognized veterinary specialty organization no later than September 1. It is the representative's responsibility to ensure that the annual report form is forwarded to the appropriate individuals for completion. Completed forms must be received at the AVMA headquarters no later than November 1. To facilitate distribution of annual reports to the Annual Report Review Committee, each recognized veterinary specialty organization (RVSO) must submit 2 hard copies and an electronic copy of the completed annual report form.
      
      
   2. A summary of annual reports, including statistical information, is developed prior to the annual meeting of the ABVS and is included in the agenda for this meeting.
      
      
   3. The Annual Report Review Committee reviews the annual reports of fully recognized veterinary specialty organizations. Reviewers complete a checklist and prepare a one- or two-page summary report for distribution to the ABVS. The composite review must be received at AVMA headquarters by January 15. Committee members should attempt to seek clarification to questions they have raised from the RVSO prior to the meeting.
   
   
2. In-depth reports
   
   
   1. Each RVSO is required to submit an in-depth report of its status and activities to the ABVS at five-year intervals following full recognition (see Appendix C (PDF)). AVMA staff will remind the ABVS representative and administrative executive of each RVSO in writing of pending in-depth five-year reports no later than May 1. Completed in-depth reports must be received at AVMA headquarters no later than November 1. To facilitate distribution of in-depth reports to the reviewers, each RVSO must submit 3 hard copies and an electronic copy of the completed report.
      
      
   2. The chair designates two ABVS representatives to review each five-year in-depth report before the annual ABVS meeting.
      
      
   3. Reviewers complete a checklist and prepare a one- or two-page summary report for distribution to the ABVS. The criteria found in section II, part B of the Policies of the ABVS are the primary basis for assessment of the completeness, clarity, and adequacy of the report. Reviews must be received at AVMA headquarters by January 15.
      
      
   4. Reviewers initiate and lead discussions and questioning of the representatives of the RVSO under review.
      
      
   5. One reviewer should be prepared to present a motion to the ABVS concerning the future recognition status of the RVSO under review.
      
      
   6. Motions approved by the ABVS concerning the recognition status of a RVSO shall be provided by the chair of the ABVS to that RVSO immediately so that any changes or explanations required by the ABVS can be acted upon. An addendum report by the RVSO (due by November 1) after the five-year in depth report shall be reviewed by the ABVS Executive Committee so that a final recommendation or report to and by ABVS on the status of the RVSO's five-year review can be made.
   
   
3. Interim reports
   
   
   1. Each RVSO with provisional or probationary recognition must submit an interim report (see Appendix D (PDF)) each year that describes that RVSO's progress toward meeting the requirements for full recognition.
      
      
   2. Completed forms must be received by AVMA no later than November 1.
   
   
4. Petitions from new veterinary specialty organizations, veterinary specialties, and veterinary subspecialties
   
   
   1. Liaison representative(s) are designated as set forth in section II part CI, section III part B, and section IV part B of the Policies of the ABVS to assist the prospective group with their petition. Petitioning veterinary specialty groups should consult their liaison representatives during preparation of the petition.
      
      
   2. Prior to submission to the ABVS, the petitioning veterinary specialty group should supply their liaison representative(s) with the entire petition addressing the criteria set forth in section II part B, section III part B, or section IV part B for RVSOs, recognized veterinary specialties, and recognized veterinary subspecialties, respectively, of the Policies of the ABVS. The petition will be reviewed for format and content. This should be done in a timely manner by the organizing group, but no later than September 1, to permit the liaison representative(s) time to review the petition, to communicate their comments to the petitioning organization, and to allow time for revision of the petition prior to the submission deadline, should that be necessary.
      
      Although the petitioning veterinary specialty group is not bound to accept the comments of the liaison representative(s), and the acceptance of any such comments does not ensure that the ABVS will accept the petition, it is generally believed that cooperation at this level will benefit the petitioning veterinary specialty group.
      
      
   3. Completed petitions must be received by the AVMA no later than November 1.
      
      
   4. The petition will be referred to the Committee on Development of New Specialties (CDNS) at its next annual meeting. The CDNS may:
      
      
      1. Determine that the petition does not meet submission criteria as outlined in the Policies and Procedures Manual, at which point the petition is returned to the petitioning group with the CDNS comments.
      2. Determine that the petition meets submission criteria as outlined in the Policies and Procedures Manual and begin gathering information from the veterinary community concerning the merits of the petition (see Section II, Part C of the Policies of the ABVS).
      
      
   5. If the CDNS takes the action outlined in point 4b above, then at its next meeting, it will review the information received from the veterinary community and determine whether the petition is to be sent to the ABVS at its next annual meeting.
      
      
   6. If the CDNS determines that the petition will be sent to the ABVS, the Chair will designate two ABVS members to review the petition.
      
      
   7. The reviewers will prepare a summary report for distribution to the ABVS. The criteria found in Policy sections II through IV form the basis for evaluating the petition. The summary report is due at the AVMA by January 15.
      
      
   8. The petitioning veterinary specialty group will receive a copy of the summary report from the AVMA at least 15 days before the annual meeting of the ABVS.
      
      
   9. Reviewers initiate and lead discussions and question the representatives of the petitioning veterinary specialty group at the ABVS meeting.
      
      
   10. One reviewer should be prepared to present a motion to the ABVS concerning the petition.
   
   
5. AVMA staff reports
   
   After each annual meeting, AVMA staff submits one or more recommendations, which may be in summary form, on recognition status for RVSOs, RVSs, or RVSSs under review for full or provisional recognition to the Council on Education (COE). Recommendations are reviewed and approved by the ABVS chair prior to its submission to the COE. The COE reviews the ABVS recommendations and, if the COE is in agreement, forwards the recommendations to the AVMA Executive Board for approval. The AVMA Executive Board actions on the COE recommendations are then reviewed by the House of Delegates as part of the report of Executive Board actions.
   
   
6. Other reports
   
   AVMA staff prepares an annual summary of ABVS and RVSO activity, including the number of current active members in each RVSO, which is included as part of the administrative report to the AVMA House of Delegates for review at its annual session.

Top