Board-Certified Specialty Care
Board-Certified specialists undergo years of additional training and testing in order to certify a simple standard: that they are the best of the best in their field. Because sometimes, only the best will do.
Understanding the difference between General Practitioners and Board-Certified Specialists
The Basics:
All veterinarians begin their careers the same way. They attend veterinary school, pass national and state board exams, and become licensed to practice veterinary medicine.
From there, veterinarians can choose one of two paths:
General Practice (GP):
Many enter general practice, providing everyday care to pets in their community from youth through their senior years. GP veterinarians manage common illnesses, offer preventative care, perform routine surgeries, and guide your pet’s overall wellness. They are essential to the veterinary field, serving as the cornerstone of maintaining a healthy and happy life for pets through regular exams, vaccinations, and ongoing care.
Specialty Practice:
Others choose to advance their careers by pursuing a specialty such as surgery, internal medicine, oncology, neurology, cardiology, and more. This path requires extensive postgraduate training, including internships, multi-year residencies, and rigorous board examinations. These steps ensure specialists achieve the highest level of expertise and understanding in their chosen field.
A board-certified specialist typically completes:
- A one-year internship (or equivalent post-graduate training)
- A multi-year residency program (usually three years), focused exclusively on their specialty
- Two comprehensive board examinations — the first taken during residency and the second upon its completion
Board-Certified Specialty Care
Board-Certified specialists undergo years of additional training and testing in order to certify a simple standard: that they are the best of the best in their field. Because sometimes, only the best will do.
Understanding the difference between General Practitioners and Board-Certified Specialists
The Basics:
All veterinarians begin their careers the same way. They attend veterinary school, pass national and state board exams, and become licensed to practice veterinary medicine.
From there, veterinarians can choose one of two paths:
General Practice (GP):
Many enter general practice, providing everyday care to pets in their community from youth through their senior years. GP veterinarians manage common illnesses, offer preventative care, perform routine surgeries, and guide your pet’s overall wellness. They are essential to the veterinary field, serving as the cornerstone of maintaining a healthy and happy life for pets through regular exams, vaccinations, and ongoing care.
Specialty Practice:
Others choose to advance their careers by pursuing a specialty such as surgery, internal medicine, oncology, neurology, cardiology, and more. This path requires extensive postgraduate training, including internships, multi-year residencies, and rigorous board examinations. These steps ensure specialists achieve the highest level of expertise and understanding in their chosen field.
A board-certified specialist typically completes:
- A one-year internship (or equivalent post-graduate training)
- A multi-year residency program (usually three years), focused exclusively on their specialty
- Two comprehensive board examinations — the first taken during residency and the second upon its completion