What is an ACVECC Diplomate?

As you may already know, ACVECC stands for the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. A Diplomate of ACVECC (otherwise abbreviated DACVECC) is a specialist veterinarian who is dedicated to treating life-threatening conditions, and traditionally works in an emergency room or intensive care unit (ICU). As compared to a general practice veterinarian that completes 4 years of undergraduate training followed by 4 years of veterinary school, a DACVECC specialist has extra years of training. 

So what kind of training is involved?
A DACVECC specialist completes the same 8 years of initial schooling, but then goes on for advanced training. After completing a regular veterinary degree, specialists are required to complete internship and residency programs (which is typically a minimum of 4-5 additional years after veterinary school) providing intense training in emergency and critical care. Residency training is completed through an American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC)-approved training program. Residency programs in emergency and critical care focus on the most up-to-date techniques for diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening disease processes in the emergency and intensive care unit setting. The emergency and critical care residency is supervised by mentors who have been trained through similar programs and are themselves board-certified specialists (DACVECC). 

What kind of certification does a DACVECC undergo?
Once the veterinarian has completed these 4-5 additional years of specialty internship and residency training, the individual must then pass a rigorous, 2-day board certification examination given by American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC). Upon successful completion of the residency training program and passing of the rigorous 2-day examination, the veterinarian becomes a Diplomate of the ACVECC (DACVECC), is termed a “specialist”, and is board-certified in veterinary emergency and critical care (DACVECC).

Definitions:

Diplomate of the ACVECC: This title implies that the member has successfully completed a residency program, has had his or her credentials application approved, has successfully completed the certifying examination and is in good standing.

Limited to the Emergency and Critical Care: An individual who has completed residency training, but is not board certified may indicate only that his or her practice is "limited to the practice of emergency and critical care."