Phase I Exam

Phase I


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INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

PHASE I EXAMINATION

The specialty of veterinary clinical pharmacology requires an advanced knowledge of the factors that complicate rational drug use for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease in animals. This examination will evaluate the depth and breadth of the candidate's knowledge and comprehension of the specialty.

Notification of Intent

Eligible candidates must notify the ACVCP of their intent to take Phase I of the cerfication examination before February 1st of the year of the examination by completing the on-line notificaton of intent form on the ACVCP website at www.acvcp.org and by paying the required examination fee
Candidates for the Diplomate Certification Examination shall pay to the College an examination fee of $200 for phase I, when notification of intent is made to take Phase I
These fees are non-refundable whether or not the applicant takes the exam and must be received by the Secretary-Treasurer post-dated no later than February 1st of each year
A candidate who is deemed ineligible, or if eligible, who declines to take either Phase of the Examination after notification of intent has been submitted shall be required to pay an additional prescribed fee of $200 for Phase I when notification of intent is made again to take Phase I of the Examination
A candidate who does not pass a Phase I Examination shall be required to complete a notification of intent and to pay an additional prescribed fee of $200 for subsequent reexamination of that failed Phase I

Examination

The Phase I Examination is an objective examination consisting of 500 multiple choice questions. The passpoint for the Phase I examination is set at 60% (300 correct of 500 multiple choice questions). If the candidate successfully passes the Phase I Examination, he/she may then be eligible for the Phase II Examination if all other credentials have been previously satisfied. Candidates may take both the Phase I Examination and the Phase II Examination in the same year. If a candidate so desires, he/she must notify the Secretary/Treasurer. If a candidate is approved to take both the Phase I Examination and the Phase II Examination in the same year, the Examinations will be given on consecutive days, but one must pass the Phase I Examination before sitting for the Phase II Examination.

You must notify the Examination Committee Chairperson if you have a medical problem, impairment, or disability that requires any special assistance or accommodation for the examination. This notification is needed 30 days prior to the examination date.

Examination Philosophy

The Phase I Examination is designed to evaluate the candidate's advanced knowledge of the comparative pharmacology of principal drug groups employed in veterinary therapeutics. In order to apply the knowledge within the context of veterinary clinical medicine, a Diplomate is expected to understand the basic mechanisms and pathophysiological features of a wide variety of diseases occurring in the various classes of domesticated animals and to understand the role of drugs in modifying the disease process.

Examination Results and Appeals

Preliminary examination results will be reported to candidates on the night of the examination, only to those candidates who wish to take the Phase II Examination the following day. Final examination results will be sent to all candidates on the same day and within 60 days after completion of the examination. Candidates are not allowed to review their examinations and will not be notified of their total scores; they will be informed of whether their performance was a pass or a failure.

Candidates failing to pass the Diplomate Certification Examination may appeal this decision within 30 calendar days of the postmarked date of notification. The request for appeal must be made in writing to the Secretary-Treasurer and shall include a statement of the grounds for reconsideration and appropriate documentation.

Examination Format

Approximately eighty percent of the questions are directed toward the principal question categories and 20 percent toward the remaining question categories.

Specific Objectives

A Diplomate of the ACVCP is expected to possess advanced knowledge of comparative pharmacology, especially as it relates to the following clinical pharmacology concepts:

Physiochemical characteristics
Mechanisms of drug action
Drug effects in various animal species, and inter-species differences
Pharmacokinetics and drug disposition
Therapeutic indications
Drug toxicology and recognition of adverse drug effects
Pathophysiology of adverse drug reactions, and drug allergy
Drug interactions
Causes of therapeutic drug failure
The influence of factors such as disease, habitus, age, and pregnancy on drug disposition and drug effects in a patient

Principal question categories:

Drugs affecting the autonomic and somatic nervous system
Autacoids and drugs affecting inflammation
Drugs affecting the blood, blood-forming organs and immune system
Water, salts, ions, and acid-base balance
Hormones and hormone antagonists
Drugs affecting renal function
Cardiovascular drugs
Drugs affecting the gastrointestinal system (including liver and pancreas)
Drugs affecting the central nervous system
Antimicrobials and antiparasitic drugs
Miscellaneous definitions
Pharmacokinetics
Drug delivery devices

A Diplomate of the ACVCP is expected to have a general knowledge in other question categories, which are within the realm of special expertise of other clinical specialties.