General
Each candidate seeking entry to the ECVP by examination must be supported by a sponsor. The sponsor, supervisor and programme director may be the same individual. See also The Guidance Document under the section Residency Training; link at the bottom of this document.
The sponsor must be a member of ECVP (or ACVP) and, ideally, should be the person most responsible for the candidates training. They must be in a position to certify that the appropriate training has been provided and followed, and that the resident is ready, in terms of expertise and experience acquired, to sit the examination.
Sponsorship of a resident is not to be taken lightly since sponsorship is one of the principal factors which the ECVP Council takes into account when judging whether a resident is ready to sit the ECVP certifying examination.
The final decision on eligibility to sit the ECVP certifying examination will be taken by the Examination Applications Committee of the ECVP.
From the above it can be appreciated that the sponsor will play a crucial role in informing the ECVP Council of the suitability of a resident to sit the ECVP certifying examination, in terms of competence, expertise and preparedness.
Sponsors are therefore instrumental in ensuring that only residents of the highest calibre are considered for entry to the College and that the status of the College and its examination are set and maintained.
Sponsors should therefore be familiar with the highest standards of competence in veterinary pathology and be prepared to actively support and promote the aims of the College.
In order to guide sponsors in assessing whether a resident is ready to sit the examination, the criteria below must be considered.
General requirements of the ECVP certifying examination
The general requirements to sit the ECVP certifying examination can be found in the By-Laws (Art. 2-4).
Training Programmes (By-Laws Art.2-2)
The purpose of the programme is to allow graduate veterinarians to acquire in-depth knowledge of veterinary pathology and its supporting disciplines under the supervision and guidance of a Diplomate of the ECVP (or ACVP).
Most residents will be registered on a standard training programme, which will be full-time for a minimum of 3 years. The majority of the training will be on-site under the direct supervision of the supervisor/sponsor. Some time spent off-site to gain extended experience is allowed and encouraged.
If the supervisor is not an ECVP/ACVP Diplomate, or the programme does not train veterinary pathology residents as one of its primary functions, then an approved alternative programme is required.
Standards that the resident must demonstrate
• aptitude and proficiency in the science and practice of veterinary pathology
• is in a position to pursue a career in teaching, research and/or diagnostic veterinary pathology
• is capable of advancing veterinary pathology through the promotion of research and publication.
• These standards should be achievable, for a good candidate in an optimum training and learning environment with adequate support from the sponsor and other Diplomates of ECVP, after one year of internship and completion of either a standard or alternative training programme. If any of these factors is less than optimal then the period may be longer.
The breadth of veterinary pathology in which the candidate should have demonstrated proficiency to the sponsor includes
• Recognise normal anatomy and histology
• Recognise and describe gross and histological features of pathological changes
• Perform a necropsy and report on necropsy and surgical specimens in such a way as to provide pertinent and relevant information to submitting individuals and institutions
• Identify or suggest likely causes of disease (aetiological diagnosis)
• Understand the mechanisms involved in disease processes (pathogenesis),
• Understand the principles of established and emerging diagnostic procedures and their applications to pathology
• Think independently and be critical about the interpretation of morphological observations
• Be familiar with the principles of experimental design and data interpretation
• Present scientific data at (inter)national meetings and prepare data for publication in peer-reviewed journals
For more information on residency training and the registration of residency training centres with the ECVP, see the guidance document below.
Guidance Residency Training Programmes