ABVP Press Release

Reptile & Amphibian Veterinary Specialty Approved

Nashville, TN —
During its June meeting, the Executive Board of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) granted provisional recognition of the Reptile and Amphibian Veterinary Specialty under the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP). Provisional recognition means that the new specialty is now fully authorized to hold examinations and certify candidates. After a minimum of four years, ABVP will be allowed to submit a request to the AVMA for full recognition of the specialty.

The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) approached the ABVP in 2006 with a formal proposal for establishing a Reptile and Amphibian specialty. Following approval by the ABVP Council of Regents, ARAV created an organizing committee, administered a job analysis survey, developed credentialing requirements and began work on the examination. In 2007, the organizing committee submitted a petition to the ABVS Committee on Development of New Specialties. Following the required year of public comment, the ABVS recommended approval of the ABVP Reptile & Amphibian Practice specialty, which was soon followed by provisional recognition by AVMA.

ABVP is now accepting applications from veterinarians who wish to be considered for certification. The first set of Reptile & Amphibian Practice applications will be reviewed during the 2010 credentialing cycle and will be due by January 15, 2010. The first examinations will then be administered in November of 2010. Reptile and Amphibian Practice is ABVP's tenth practice category.

Since 1978, the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners has promoted and recognized the highest standards in the art and science of contemporary veterinary clinical practice. ABVP's certification process is designed for veterinarians with expertise in a broad range of clinical subjects who demonstrate superior ability in the care of the whole patient. Unlike other AVMA specialty boards, which are devoted to specific disciplines or organ systems, ABVP awards species-oriented certification. Approximately 850 veterinarians are certified as ABVP diplomates in one of ten species categories.