The initial ACVIM Fellowship Program Guidelines provided a time-limited opportunity for ACVIM Diplomates to be considered for retroactive recognition as an ACVIM Fellow. This is available to ACVIM Diplomates who completed a program that might have qualified as an Approved Program prior to the launch of the ACVIM program in 2023.

To be eligible for this distinction, a person must have completed their program during or after 2017.  Their program will need to meet all the qualifications of an Approved Program, with supporting documentation to allow this determination.

Upon review and approval by the ACVIM Fellowship Committee, a Diplomate who completed a program that is retroactively recognized, and who completed it during the allotted time, can earn the distinction of an ACVIM Fellow and use the FACVIM postnominal. The deadline for application for retroactive recognition as an ACVIM Fellow is December 31, 2025.

Please visit the ACVIM Fellowship Program page for more information and to access the online application.