Examination Application

Application Information

Application forms for the examination are available online and require the signature of an ECVP Diplomate or an ACVP Diplomate who fulfils the criteria listed in the ECVP By-laws Art. 2.1., who sponsors the candidate by certifying that training has been followed to permit sitting for the examination. 
The signing sponsor should be the person most responsible for the candidate’s training. When this is not possible the applicant should provide an appropriate explanation to the Council. 
An application is valid for 1 year only.

Application for new candidates - full or split format 

Please note: new candidates are defined as those who are on their first attempt or who have failed to validate at least 2 sections or who have scored less than 30% in one or more failed sections.

Application for candidates retaking sections and/or taking sections of the second block of the split format

Completed application forms accompanied by the examination fee - must be submitted no later than 01 August preceding the year of examination.

SUBMIT EXAMINATION APPLICATION

If you are uncertain of your eligibility to take the examination, please complete our quick eligibility check and feedback will be provided on your current position. The request should be submitted to the ECVP Administrative Office (admin@ecvpath.org) together with PDF files of the publications. Only quick eligibility checks submitted by 01 June will receive feedback before the examination application deadline.

Credentials

The general requirements of the College Examination are that the eligible candidate must:
1.     be registered as a resident in an ECVP-approved training programme
2.    must have completed at least three (3) years of supervised training in a standard pathology training programme or have completed an alternative training programme approved by Council.
3.    have submitted, as first author or co-author, at least two (2) original papers (in English) in the broad field of veterinary pathology in peer-reviewed journals of international repute. A thesis or monograph will not be accepted as a publication. One of the two papers must have been accepted by the time of application to take the ECVP certifying examination. A second manuscript can be under review at the time of application. In cases where the second paper has not been accepted prior to the examination and the candidate passes the examination, the candidate will only be declared and registered as Diplomate of the ECVP once providing proof that the second paper is accepted. Acceptance of the second publication needs to be confirmed no later than six (6) months after passing the examination. In case the second publication is not accepted within the six (6)-month period after passing the examination, the candidate’s initial credentials will not be validated and therefore the candidate will be required to re-sit all sections of the College Examination.
The final requirement to obtain the full credentials is having passed at least two sections of the examination and has reached a minimum score of 30% in the failed section(s). If a new candidate does not pass a minimum of two (2) sections or does not obtain a minimum of thirty percent (30%) in any one failed section, the candidate may reapply to take the examination again as a new candidate.

An individual who has received an unfavourable ruling (e.g. regarding qualifications to sit the examination) may appeal against this decision. Such an appeal must be received in writing to the ECVP Office within 90 days of the date of the letter informing the individual of the unfavourable decision. 

(For examination passing rules see section “Examination Structure and Organisation”).

Examination Eligibility and Refund Policy

• Eligibility Notification: Eligibility to sit the examination is determined in early October, and applicants are promptly notified of their acceptance status.

• Refund Policy: If your credentials are not accepted, or if you withdraw from the examination before 01 December, your fees will be refunded minus a 10% processing charge. No refunds will be issued for withdrawals made after this date.

Payment Instructions

To pay and record your examination fee, please follow these steps:

1. Log In: Access your website profile to view the Pay Now button.
2. Select Payment Method: Click Pay Now, follow the on-screen prompts, and choose either bank card or bank transfer. (Note: If you select bank transfer, the banking details will be provided on-screen).

Ensure the transaction is successfully recorded on your resident profile.

Once completed, your payment receipt will be available on your profile under the Contributions section.

Please wait to pay the microscope rental fee (if applicable) until your application has been officially accepted.