Description
The American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) seeks a subject matter expert, non-ACVS board-certified veterinary surgeon (public) member to join the upcoming Certification Council (council) in a nonvoting capacity.
The council is being formed as part of ACVS’s proposed governance change to separate certification functions from membership activities and establish an independent council. The council will oversee all aspects of the ACVS certification process, including the related committees.
The role of the public member is to bring an external perspective to the council in an area that supports ACVS’s certification-related strategic priorities. Candidates will have demonstrated expertise in education or competency development, preferably with a background in human medicine, veterinary medicine, or certification development.
The public member’s term will begin January 1, 2027, and last for three years. In 2026, ACVS will provide onboarding sessions in September (virtual) and on October 8 in person, just before the ACVS Surgery Summit in Charlotte, NC.
Learn more about applying for and serving on the council, including position descriptions, the council charter, protocols, and an updated ACVS organization chart. Establishing the council is dependent on a successful membership vote in the spring of 2026 to update the ACVS bylaws. Applications are now open to allow potential council members to plan for onboarding later this year. ACVS will notify applicants in mid-May.
Established in 1965, the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) is a national professional veterinary surgery certification organization. ACVS is the American Veterinary Medical Association specialty board which sets the standards for advanced professionalism in veterinary surgery and certifies veterinarians in large animal and small animal surgery. ACVS is governed by a ten-member Board of Regents (BOR). ACVS has developed non-governmental professional certification programs for the certification of veterinarians in large animal and small animal surgery (programs). The BOR has created an autonomous ACVS Certification Council (council). The council’s purpose is to develop, manage, and oversee the programs, including the process through which qualified veterinarians can apply for and receive certification, with that process being valid, credible, inclusive, and transparent.
Requirements
Responsibilities: The council is accountable for developing, managing, and overseeing ACVS’s certification programs, including the process through which qualified veterinarians can apply for and receive certification, with that process being valid, credible, inclusive, and transparent. The role of the public member is to bring an external perspective to the council in an area that supports ACVS’s certification-related strategic priorities. The public member serves as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the council.
Meetings: Council members are expected to attend meetings throughout the year: one in-person meeting (October), two half-day virtual meetings (February and June), and four shorter virtual meetings (May, September, November, and December). Business will also be conducted by email as needed. In 2026, onboarding meetings will be held in September (virtual) and on October 8 (in person), just prior to the ACVS Surgery Summit in Charlotte, NC.
Workload: Moderate to heavy. Council members will review activity reports prior to each meeting, act on requests, and review budgets and financial statements.
Term of service: Three years. Term begins January 1, 2027, and ends October 31, 2029.
Positions available in 2027: One (nonvoting).
Prerequisite: Have demonstrated expertise in a strategic area for ACVS, preferably with a background in human medicine, veterinary medicine, or certification development. For the inaugural council, expertise is sought in education or competency development. View the ACVS Strategic Plan. The public member is not an ACVS board-certified veterinary surgeon.
Application Deadline: March 17, position may remain open until filled
