How to Become a Veterinary Specialist in Maryland

Once you have become an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) board- certified veterinarian licensed to practice in the state of Maryland, you are qualified to receive additional training to become a veterinary specialist.The fields of veterinary specialties continue to expand and the number of colleges and universities offering curricula in various specialties continues to grow. The educational and clinical requirements for certification in each individual specialty are determined by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Funding

1. Contact the Maryland Veterinary Medical Association in Baltimore for an up-to-date list of the educational institutions in your state that offer AVMA accredited specialty programs.

2. Select the specialty of your choice and apply for admission to the residency program.

3. Complete the required specialty-based internship. The specialty organization will do their best to place you in an internship in Maryland.

4. Successfully complete the AVMA approved residency program in the specialty of your choice and pass the general exam.

5. Submit the required credentials to the organization that certifies veterinarians in your particular specialty upon completion of your residency requirements.

6. Pass the specialty board examination to earn the title of Diplomate in your veterinary specialty field.

Tips & Warnings

• The American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) is a sub-section of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the accrediting body for veterinary schools. Contact ABVS for specific requirements for becoming board certified in the specialty of your choice.
• Residency programs range from one to three years, depending upon the certification track for the specific specialty. Some specialty programs also require residents to spend time working in related disciplines, such as radiology, anesthesia and/or surgery.

Resources

• Visit the American Veterinary Medical Association’s website for links to ABVS recognized specialty organizations.
• Visit the Maryland Veterinary Medical Association website for more information.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• How To Make Big Money With Low-Budget Postcard Projects. PostcardProfits.com
• Earn your degree from industry experts at University of Phoenix. Take the next step in your career.