EXAM Date(s)

The ACVCP Phase I exam will be held on Tuesday May 19^th 2026.  The ACVCP Phase II exam will be held on Tuesday June 30^th, 2026.

Both exams will be administered remotely. The Exam Committee chair will contact each candidate during February to work on any accommodations that may be needed.

Please be aware that the exams will be administered using the ExamSoft Platform. Detailed information is listed on the Phase I and Phase II Examination pages. Scroll down the page to the section titled "Exam Administration".

Online review sessions for ACVCP candidates are available.

ACVCP Review learning modules are found on the VetMedAcademy.org Moodle site. This site includes links to past recorded sessions and is designed just for ACVCP diplomates, candidates and mentors. Access requires first prior free registration on VetMedAcademy.org. If you have not previously registered, you will be prompted to do so.

Follow this link to instructions for VetMedAcademy registration.

DIPLOMATE CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION

The Diplomate Certifying Examination for the ACVCP consists of two parts, Phase I and Phase II.

In order to become eligible to take Phase I of the Diplomate Certifying Examination, a candidate must be enrolled in OR have completed an ACVCP Training program (residency) that has been approved by the ACVCP Education Committee.

In order to become eligible to take Phase II of the Diplomate Certifying Examination, a candidate must have completed an ACVCP Training program (residency) that has been approved by the ACVCP Education Committee by the time the candidate sits for the exam.

The Phase I Examination is a multiple choice examination designed to evaluate the candidate's knowledge of general pharmacology. Candidates must submit the "Application for Phase I" by October 1 of the year prior to the exam to be eligible.  Following acceptance of your application, you must complete the "Intent to Sit Phase I or Phase II" form by February 1.

The Phase II Examination is a written examination designed to evaluate both the breadth and depth of the candidate's knowledge and skills as a veterinary clinical pharmacologist.  Candidates must submit the "Application for Phase II" by October 1 of the year prior to the exam to be eligible.  Following acceptance of your application, you must complete the "Intent to Sit Phase I or Phase II" form by February 1.

ELIGIBILITY FOR ACVCP DIPLOMATE CERTIFYING EXAMINATIONS

The purpose of the American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology (ACVCP) credentials review process is to determine a candidate's successful completion of the requirements to take either phase of the Diplomate Certifying Examination. The Credentials Committee will use the criteria described on this website for approving a candidate's registration for Phase I or credentials review application for Phase II.

Approval to take either phase of the Diplomate Certifying Examination is granted for a period of 5 years beginning with the first year the candidate is eligible for the examination. A candidate must pass both phases of the Diplomate Certifying Examination within 5 years after the application to take Phase I is approved. If the candidate is approved in December 2025 for example, eligibility is granted for the exam offered in each summer in the years 2026 - 2030. Failure to meet this time limit will require submission of a new application for registration and credentialing and reexamination.

Depending on the nature of the training program, eligible candidates may take both Phase I and Phase II of the Diplomate Certifying Examination in the same year or separately. A candidate must pass Phase I before being permitted to take Phase II.

REGISTRATION AND APPLICATION PREREQUISITES

As a general prerequisite for the certifying process, all candidates must be legally qualified to practice veterinary medicine in a state, province, territory or possession of the US, Canada or other country.

IMPORTANT NOTE: It is understood that the candidate who completes and submits a registration or an application agrees that prior to or subsequent to the examination, the Board of the ACVCP may investigate the candidate's standing as a veterinarian, including the candidate's reputation for complying with the standards of ethics of the profession.

Enrollment in an APPROVED ACVCP training program is required to register for eligibility to take Phase I and successful completion of an approved training program is required to apply for eligibility to take Phase II. See the "Potential Residents" section on this website for further information on approved ACVCP Training programs.

It is the responsibility of the candidate to become familiar with the information contained in the different sections of this website, to complete the required on-line forms and to provide the appropriate fees and additional documents to the Secretary-Treasurer of the ACVCP within the timelines indicated.