General Exam Fee Waiver Program

This new financial assistance program is designed to help remove socioeconomic barriers for ACVIM Candidates in becoming Board-certified. Candidates who are selected to participate in the program will receive first-time ACVIM General Examination registration fees waived in 2025, with exam administration taking place in 2026. The program will not cover late registration fees. 

A limited number of Candidates will be selected to participate each year based on funding availability. Not all eligible candidates will receive funding. Candidates are eligible to apply if they meet the following criteria:

1. Candidate must be a current resident in good standing at an ACVIM approved Residency Training Program and registered as a Candidate of the ACVIM, prior to application. Post-residency Candidates are not eligible to apply.
2. Candidate cannot already be receiving significant financial assistance from their academic institution, employer, or other corporate sources to assist with examination fees. Preference will be given to Candidates who are not eligible for employer/institution or other sources of financial support.
3. Candidate must demonstrate financial need.
4. Candidate must meet all deadlines and requirements and must remain both a Candidate and resident in good standing throughout their Board-certification process.

Applications will be reviewed by the ACVIM with applicants notified by June 1st. Names will be blinded, and criteria used to select participants will include review of essay question response, comparison of household income against the cost-of-living index indicator for residency location, and evaluation of access to financial resources and/or excessive financial burdens.