American College of Veterinary Surgeons - ACVS 2026

Registration is handled through ACVS. Registrants choose a category (ACVS/ECVS Diplomate, resident, intern, student, or other veterinary professional), and rates vary accordingly. ACVS, ECVS, and other veterinary specialty residents may register at the resident rate for six calendar years from the start of their program, while students, interns, and graduate students may register at the student rate during their program and for one calendar year after completion. Resident or student status must be verified by the signature of a department head or program director.

Full meeting registration includes the Mark W. Allam Lecture, keynote lectures, lunches, access to the exhibit hall, the Scientific Poster Presentations and Reception, and multiple networking events. One-day registrations have access to all seminars and events specific to that one day only. Registrants must provide their license number during registration in order to receive CE credit.

Key policies:

• An administrative fee of $75 is charged per item changed within a registration.
• A $75 fee is assessed upon cancellation of full meeting registration.
• Selected abstract/case presenters must register and pay the appropriate fee.

The organizing committee accepted 35 veterinarians as charter members, and on December 16, 1965, the College was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois as a nonprofit educational organization; the first annual meeting was held in Chicago, Illinois, on February 4, 1966. The AVMA granted probationary approval on July 9, 1967, and the ACVS received full approval on June 22, 1970.

Dean Mark Allam of the University of Pennsylvania was the motivating force in forming the organizing committee — a legacy commemorated today by the Summit's Mark W. Allam Lecture. The organization's annual symposium was rebranded as the ACVS Surgery Summit in 2014 to reflect the meeting's expanded attendee demographics, educational and networking opportunities, and destinations.

The College has grown substantially over the decades. Following the 2024 certification examination, ACVS includes more than 2,500 Diplomates, with approximately 70 veterinarians earning their Diplomate credentials every year.