Last Updated on August 8, 2023 by Diya
Hi readers! In this post, I’ve compiled a list of the best veterinary certification programs in the USA. Here, readers will find the following details – a list of top certifications for veterinarians, certifying organizations/bodies, level/type of certification, and more.
Why choose a certification program, some of you may ask? Earning a certification from well-established organizations can work wonders for your career. One may earn it to acquire advanced skills and/or knowledge, get a promotion at work, get a better job, specialize in a specific sub-branch of veterinary science, etc.
Come, let us check out the list of certifications now. Here it is –
Table of Contents
List of highest-paying certifications for Veterinarians in the USA for 2023
Certifications for Veterinarians
Sr No |
Certification |
Certifying Organization |
Type/Level of Certification |
| 1 | Diplomate of the ACVPM – Epidemiology Certification | American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine | Specialty |
| 2 | Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists: Bacteriology/Mycology | American College of Veterinary Microbiologists | Specialty |
| 3 | Veterinary Anatomical Pathology Phase II | American College of Veterinary Pathologists | Advanced |
| 4 | Diplomate, American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine | American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine | Specialty |
| 5 | Diplomate of the ACVR – Veterinary Radiation Oncology | American College of Veterinary Radiology | Specialty |
| 6 | Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons – Phase I | American College of Veterinary Surgeons | Specialty |
| 7 | Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons – Phase II | American College of Veterinary Surgeons | Specialty |
| 8 | Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists | American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists | Specialty |
| 9 | ABVM Diplomate Endovascular Exam | American Board of Vascular Medicine | Specialty |
| 10 | Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists: Virology | American College of Veterinary Microbiologists | Specialty |
| 11 | Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology | American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology | Specialty |
| 12 | Diplomate of the ACVR – Veterinary Radiology | American College of Veterinary Radiology | Specialty |
| 13 | ABVM Diplomat – General Exam | American Board of Vascular Medicine | Specialty |
| 14 | Clinical Proficiency Examination | American Veterinary Medical Association | Advanced |
| 15 | Certification in Zoological Medicine | American College of Zoological Medicine | Specialty |
| 16 | Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists: Immunology | American College of Veterinary Microbiologists | Specialty |
| 17 | Diplomate of the ACVPM – Epidemiology Certification | American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine | Advanced |
| 18 | Certified Veterinary Practice Manager | Veterinary Hospital Managers Association, Inc. | Core |
| 19 | Board Certification in Veterinary Toxicology | American Board of Veterinary Toxicology | Specialty |
| 20 | Certification in Veterinary Dentistry | American Veterinary Dental College | Specialty |
| 21 | Certified Equine Dental Technician | International Association of Equine Dentistry | Specialty |
| 22 | Diplomate, American College of Theriogenologists | American College of Theriogenologists | Specialty |
| 23 | Animal Chiropractic Certification | American Veterinary Chiropractic Association | Specialty |
| 24 | Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists: General Veterinary Microbiology | American College of Veterinary Microbiologists | Specialty |
| 25 | Veterinary Anatomical Pathology Phase I | American College of Veterinary Pathologists | Advanced |
Veterinary Technician Certifications
Sr No |
Certification |
Certifying Organization |
Type/Level of Certification |
| 1 | Veterinary Internal Medicine Technician – Oncology | Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians | Specialty |
| 2 | Veterinary Internal Medicine Technician – Cardiology | Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians | Specialty |
| 3 | Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician | American Association for Laboratory Animal Science | Core |
| 4 | Laboratory Animal Technologist | American Association for Laboratory Animal Science | Advanced |
| 5 | Veterinary Technician Specialist- Nutrition | Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians | Advanced |
| 6 | Veterinary Internal Medicine Technician – Small Animal Internal Medicine | Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians | Specialty |
| 7 | Veterinary Internal Medicine Technician – Large Animal Internal Medicine | Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians | Specialty |
| 8 | Laboratory Animal Technician | American Association for Laboratory Animal Science | Core |
| 9 | Veterinary Internal Medicine Technician – Neurology | Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians | Specialty |
| 10 | Veterinary Technician Specialist in Nutrition | Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians | Specialty |
Veterinary Assistant Certifications
Sr No |
Certification |
Certifying Organization |
Type/Level of Certification |
| 1 | Certified Manager of Animal Resources | American Association for Laboratory Animal Science | Core |
| 2 | Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician | American Association for Laboratory Animal Science | Core |
What is a certification and how to earn it?
A certification is an award, which indicates that the candidate (who has earned the certification) possesses relevant skills and knowledge concerning a particular domain/sector/industry/technology. In the case of veterinary certifications, the skill set or knowledge revolves around veterinary science and its allied sectors.
Certifications are usually offered by relevant certifying organizations. In order to earn it, a candidate must undergo sufficient preparation, acquire a relevant set of skills and knowledge, and pass the relevant examination/test (conducted by the certifying organization). The certifying organization may or may not provide certification preparation training.
Types of certifications
Based on the target audience, certifications can be broadly classified into the following types –
- Core.
- Advanced.
- Specialty.
Advanced certification programs are aimed at individuals who are already knowledgeable about the domain (for example – veterinarians). They may use the advanced certification program to acquire an advanced set of skills and knowledge. On the other hand, one may pursue a specialty certification program to specialize in a specific sub-branch of veterinary science.
Veterinary certification programs span disciplines and domains such as –
- Veterinary Epidemiology.
- Veterinary Microbiology.
- Veterinary Pathology.
- Animal Medicine.
- Veterinary Radiation Oncology.
- Veterinary Surgery.
- Veterinary Ophthalmology.
- Veterinary Pharmacology.
- Veterinary Toxicology.
- Veterinary Dentistry.
- Veterinary Technician (Cardiology, Neurology, Nutrition, Oncology etc).
- Animal Technician.
Popular certifying organizations
Here are some of the popular certifying organizations –
- American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine.
- American College of Veterinary Microbiologists.
- American College of Veterinary Pathologists.
- American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine.
- American College of Veterinary Radiology.
- American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
- American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.
- American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology.
- American Veterinary Medical Association.
- American College of Zoological Medicine.
- Veterinary Hospital Managers Association.
- American Board of Veterinary Toxicology.
- American Veterinary Dental College.
- International Association of Equine Dentistry.
- American Association for Laboratory Animal Science.
- Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians.
- Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians.
I am Vishnu Nambiar a career and educational blogger from India. I am also a full time educational consultant having more than 12 years of experience in the educational sector.
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