Veterinary specialties

American Board of Veterinary Specialties

The AVMA’s American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) recognizes veterinary specialties and specialty organizations, promoting advanced levels of competency in well-defined fields of veterinary medicine.

"The American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) of the AVMA recognizes and encourages the development of recognized veterinary specialty organizations (RVSOs) promoting advanced levels of competency in well-defined areas of study or practice categories to provide the public with exceptional veterinary service."

— Mission Statement, AVMA ABVS

Veterinary specialty organizations

There are 22 AVMA-recognized veterinary specialty organizations™ comprising 46 distinct AVMA-recognized veterinary specialties™. More than 16,500 veterinarians have been awarded diplomate status in one or more of these specialty organizations after completing rigorous postgraduate training, education, and examination requirements. Board-certified veterinary specialists serve animals and the public through collaboration and teamwork with primary care veterinarians, human medical professionals, research scientists, and public health officials.

Questions about the ABVS? Email Anne Czeropski or Dr. Ed Murphey at ABVAavma [dot] org (ABVA[at]avma[dot]org).