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Pathways to Specialisation

ECVM Certifying Examination

The qualifying examinations for the ECVM take place in the same week and location as the annual conference in September. The examination consists of two parts which may be taken in separate years.

Key Facts
 
€400
Full exam
€200
Per part / resit
Sep
Annual · with conference
4
Max attempts
For successful candidates the fee includes the current year's membership. Parts 1 and 2 may be taken in separate years.
Application and Eligibility
 
Submitting Your Application

Those wishing to sit the exams for full Diplomate status via the residency or international recognition routes should submit their application and supporting documentation to the Certification and Credentials Committee by 31 March in the year they wish to take the exams, to allow time for eligibility checks.

Supporting documentation includes: case logs, case reports, published papers, and residency annual reports.

Timing of Parts 1 and 2
→Part 1 can be sat after completion of 2 years of training (or full time equivalent)
→All residency requirements must be completed at least 4 weeks ahead of the exam date to sit Part 2
→Residents will normally sit within 2 years of completing their residency
→Up to 8 years from beginning training to pass, with up to 4 attempts permitted
Examination Format
 
Part 1  ·  General Microbiology
3 hrs
Duration
40%
Final mark

This part deals with (i) nomenclature, classification, morphology, geographical distribution, biological characteristics (including cell and molecular biology), detection and identification of bacteria, fungi and viruses of animals and animal products, and (ii) pathogenesis, immunology, pathology, epizootiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and control of bacterial, fungal and viral diseases of animals.

40
Multiple choice questions
2
Essay questions (chosen from 4)
4
Short answer questions (chosen from 6)
Part 2  ·  Applied Microbiology
2 sections
A and B
60%
Final mark
Section A  ·  Case Reports
40% of final mark

Evaluates clinical expertise and communication skills. Based on preparation of four case reports dealing with different species of domesticated animals. Case reports must be organised as: clinical history, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, diagnosis, control and outcome.

→Full dossier of 4 case reports must be provided at least 3 months before the examination
→Candidate must prepare a presentation of all four reports before the examination
→The case report selected for oral presentation will be announced during the examination
→Duration: approx. 30 minutes (15 minutes presentation + 15 minutes questions)
→20% for the orally presented report; 20% for the four written case reports
Section B  ·  Diagnostic Techniques
20% of final mark

Evaluates the candidate's ability to understand and use different diagnostic techniques appropriately. Duration: 3 hours.

→Diagnostic scenarios: Ten scenarios (up to 200 words of text plus laboratory data) each with four associated MCQs based on critical analysis of clinical, serological, isolation, molecular or biochemical data (40 MCQs total)
→Microbial identification: Fifteen cultures, microscopic preparations or pictures to be examined, each accompanied by a brief history and relevant background details
Results, Appeals and Adjustments
 
Results
Notification within 30 days
Those sitting the exams will be notified of their results within 30 days of taking the exam. Feedback about the exams and residency is collated by the Quality Assurance Committee.
Appeals
90 days to appeal
Appeals are submitted in the first instance to the College Secretary and must be received within 90 days of the result. There is a fee of €1,500 for submitting an appeal, which is refunded if the appeal is upheld.
Adjustments and Circumstances
Exceptional Personal Circumstances Committee
→Exam adjustment requests must be submitted 3 months ahead of the exam to allow time for the exam centre to implement reasonable adjustments
→Applications for exceptional personal circumstances (e.g. illness during exam) should be submitted as soon as practical after the event, preferably within 10 days