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Prerequisites For the ABVT Board Examination

There are multiple prerequisites that a candidate must meet to be eligible to sit for the ABVT board-certification exam. 


First, a candidate must be a qualified veterinarian. This is demonstrated by one of the following:

  • Being a graduate of a veterinary school or college accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA); 
  • Possessing a certificate of accreditation in veterinary medicine from the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates of the AVMA; 
  • Or being legally qualified (e.g. licensed or equivalent) to practice veterinary medicine in some state, province, territory, or possession of the United States or Canada or other country.

Second, an eligible candidate also must:

  1. Have satisfactory moral, professional and ethical standing.
  2. Satisfy the training and experience requirements of the Board by one of the following five methods:


    1.   Advanced Degree OptionHave fully completed four (4) calendar years of training in toxicology, including completion of an advanced degree. Such a program will include courses or training in toxicology (general mammalian, comparative, clinical), biochemistry, analytical chemistry, pharmacology, pathology, and statistics. Experience in teaching of toxicology, and/or toxicological research, and/or the practice of veterinary clinical and/or diagnostic toxicology must be obtained. A minimum of two (2) of these four (4) years will be subsequent to receiving the DVM or equivalent degree, and under the direct supervision of an ABVT Diplomate. The candidate must provide evidence of senior authorship of two (2) accepted peer-reviewed publications, or completion of two (2) funded research projects, or equivalent activity in veterinary toxicology acceptable to the Board.

     

    2.    Residency Option: A candidate may complete at least three (3) calendar years in a veterinary toxicology residency under the supervision of an ABVT Diplomate. The candidate must provide evidence of senior authorship of two (2) accepted peer-reviewed publications, or completion of two (2) funded research projects, or equivalent activity in veterinary toxicology acceptable to the Board.

     

    3.    Experiential option I: A candidate may complete two (2) calendar years in the clinical practice of veterinary medicine, which may include the practice of clinical and/or diagnostic veterinary toxicology, subsequent to graduation from veterinary school or college, and at least three (3) calendar years in a training program in toxicology, and/or in the teaching of toxicology, and/or toxicological research, and/or the practice of veterinary clinical and/or diagnostic toxicology, acceptable to the Board. The candidate must provide evidence of senior authorship of two (2) accepted peer-reviewed publications, or completion of two (2) funded research projects, or equivalent activity in veterinary toxicology acceptable to the Board.

    4.   Experiential option II: For individuals who do not fulfill the requirements denoted under 1-3 above, the requirements for candidacy may be met through studies and experience obtained. The time necessary to obtain the required training and experience is dependent upon the amount of time available to be devoted to such activities. The candidate must provide evidence of senior authorship of a total of five (5) accepted peer-reviewed publications, or completion of a total of five (5) funded research projects, or equivalent activity in veterinary toxicology acceptable to the Board. The candidate is responsible for providing sufficient evidence of training and experience equivalent to that required in choice B (Residency Option) above that is acceptable to the Board to gain admission to the examination

     

    5.   ABT Diplomate Option: Have successfully passed the certification examination and be a current Diplomate in good standing of the American Board of Toxicology (ABT).


Additional information or questions concerning eligibility or the application process can be addressed to:

Candidate Coordinator Dr. Eric Dunayer, edunayer@juno.com or using the Contact Us page.