EUROPEAN COLLEGE OF  VETERINARY CLINICAL PATHOLOGY 

INFORMATION BROCHURE (Updated February 2022)

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CONTENTS

Page No.

1

Objectives .....................................................................................................................

1

2

Definition ......................................................................................................................

2

3

Membership and Significance of Certification ..............................................................

3

3.1

Recertification....................................................................................................................

5

4

Veterinary Clinical Pathology Training Programme for Diplomate Status .......................

5

4.1

Definition .........................................................................................................................

5

4.2

Supervision.......................................................................................................................

5

4.3

Objectives of a Veterinary Clinical Pathology Training Programme ................................

6

4.4

General Programme Outline .............................................................................................

6

4.5

Content of Training ...........................................................................................................

6

4.6

Learning Environment......................................................................................................

7

4.7

Reference Material ..........................................................................................................

8

4.8

Documentation .................................................................................................................

8

4.9

Standard Training Programme in Veterinary Clinical Pathology .....................................

9

4.1

Alternative Training Programme in Veterinary Clinical Pathology ..................................

9

4.11

Continuing Education ........................................................................................................

9

4.12

Submission of a Training Programme ............................................................................

10

4.13

Application for a residency ............................................................................................

10

4.14

Transfer of Residents from one Programme to another ...............................................

10

4.15

Temporary interruption of Programmes ........................................................................

10

5

The Examination ............................................................................................................

10

5.1

Application for Examination ...........................................................................................

10

5.2

General Requirements for Admission to Board Examination ........................................

11

5.3

The format of the examination………………………………………………………………………………….

12

5.4

Organisation of the Examination……………………………………………………………………………….

13

5.5

Withdrawal/Illness…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

13

5.6

Results of Examination………………………………………………………………………………………………

13

 

 

The European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ECVCP) was established in 2001 and obtained official recognition from the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation (EBVS) in 2009. The mandate of the ECVCP is to advance Veterinary Clinical Pathology and promote high standards within the speciality in Europe. This includes facilitating progress in the science and practice of Veterinary Clinical Pathology and of establishing standards of training and experience which merit recognition of qualified specialists in that field. Those who meet the standards of training and competence established by the College will be awarded a suitable Certificate.

 

A List of Approved Training Laboratories and Programmes is maintained for guidance for institutions and the public.

 

All official communication should be directed to the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. who will coordinate distribution and processing.

 

  1. Objectives

The objectives of the ECVCP include:-

  • Promotion of recognition of Clinical Pathology as an independent Veterinary speciality.
  • Establishment of standards of training, experience, and examination for qualification as a specialist in Veterinary Clinical Pathology in Europe.
  • Recognition of European Veterinary Clinical Pathology specialists by suitable certification.
  • Provision of continuing education programmes in Veterinary Clinical Pathology in Europe.
  • Establishment of standards for analytical methods, performance and interpretation of laboratory procedures and laboratory management in Europe.
  • Promotion of research and scientific progress in Veterinary Clinical Pathology in Europe.
  • Guarantee and maintain the highest level of specialisation in Veterinary Clinical Pathology, according to European Qualifications Framework (EQF) level 8”.

 

  1. Definition

Veterinary Clinical Pathology focuses on the development, application, generation and interpretation of diagnostic laboratory testing for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and monitoring of spontaneous animal disease, animal models of disease and preclinical safety studies.

 

Veterinary Clinical Pathologists are employed to practice, research and teach this speciality in a wide variety of professional environments, including

(i)         Veterinary schools;

(ii)        Private, commercial, and government diagnostic laboratories;

(iii)       Pharmaceutical discovery and safety evaluation; and

(iv)       Other research institutes and industry.

 

There are four primary areas of Veterinary Clinical Pathology:

(i)         Clinical biochemistry, including endocrinology and immunology testing and molecular diagnostics;

(ii)        Haematology;

(iii)       Cytology; and

(iv)       General clinical pathology, including laboratory management.

 

General Clinical Pathology is the foundation of the three other areas. It is based on the understanding of pathophysiologic disease mechanisms which result in changes in laboratory data and their medical interpretation. It also includes laboratory management with special attention to the development of new analytical methods and their validation, quality assurance and quality control. This requires a thorough understanding of laboratory methodology and its performance capabilities.

 

Effective acquisition and interpretation of Veterinary Clinical Pathology data requires a comprehensive knowledge of the theory, application and administration of laboratory methods from which the data is generated and a broad Veterinary Medical background. Development and introduction of new assays into veterinary diagnostics, their application, validation and evaluation of their diagnostic significance for each species require particular in depth knowledge, experience and training in Veterinary Clinical Pathology that are not found to a sufficient extent within the other European Veterinary specialities.

 

  1. Membership and Significance of Certification

A Board Certified person is designated as a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology and recognised as a European Veterinary Specialist in Veterinary Clinical Pathology by the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation (EBVS).

There are 5 different types of membership within the ECVCP:-

 

  1. Diplomate:

A Diplomate is a Veterinarian who satisfies the ECVCP requirements as to training, experience, and competence in Veterinary Clinical Pathology hereinafter described shall be eligible to achieve Diplomate status by examination. Alternatively, Veterinarians who satisfy these ECVCP requirements, but have passed Board Examinations by comparable Colleges outside Europe established prior to the ECVCP being established, may be eligible. Election of such Candidates shall be accomplished by majority vote of the Board after review of their application.

In accordance with the latest version of EBVS policies and procedures in some non-European countries or areas, the training and examinations of specialists is equivalent to that provided by ECVCP. However Membership should be restricted to those who have a connection to Europe. The credentials of the Applicant and their activity in making a major contribution to the EBVS College are more important than the place of residence or nationality. The College may, if it so wishes, temporarily grant ECVCP Diplomate status, provided that the Applicant can meet the following minimum conditions:

  • Has credentials, in relation to training, publications and contributions to the subject, equal to those required to sit for the examination of an ECVCP Diplomate;
  • Has passed an examination of equal rigor, and covering the same material as that of the equivalent ECVCP Diplomate;
  • Passes the College’s re-certification process;
  • Is practising in a European country, and intends to remain so for the foreseeable future. Applicants may be relieved of this requirement in exceptional cases.

Colleges may impose more stringent requirements if they so wished.

A Diploma which is awarded to a non-EBVS recognised Diplomate without sitting the College’s Examination is not valid when the conditions under which the Diploma was awarded do not exist anymore.

  1. Non-Practising Diplomate:

A Diplomate who (i) has not practised the speciality for two continuous years or the equivalent of two years during the previous five years or (ii) has not fulfilled the requirements for the re-certification procedure or (iii) has not attended an Annual General Meeting for three years without previous dispensation from the College.

A non-practising Diplomate is not allowed to use the title EBVS Specialist in Veterinary Clinical Pathology but may use the title Diplomate.

A non-practising Diplomate seeking to revert to full Diplomate status needs to satisfy the Credentials Committee of the College.

The non-practising Diplomate is removed from the EBVS specialist register.

  1. Retired Diplomate:

A Diplomate who voluntarily stops permanently and irrevocably practising is entitled to Retired Diplomate status. Retired Diplomates maintain all privileges of Diplomates including advisory tasks, except the right to vote or hold office. A Retired Diplomate is not allowed to use the title EBVS Specialist in Veterinary Clinical Pathology but may use the title Diplomate. The Retired Diplomate is removed from the EBVS specialist register.

  1. Honorary Diplomate:

A Veterinarian who is not a Diplomate of the ECVCP but who has contributed in an extraordinary manner to the advancement of Veterinary Clinical Pathology may be elected by majority vote as an Honorary member. Nomination for Honorary Member status shall be made through the sponsorship of two Diplomates. The Sponsors shall furnish the Executive Secretary with relevant information concerning the Nominee, e.g. Curriculum Vitae. Election of an Honorary Member shall be accomplished by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board and by a two-thirds vote of the Annual General Meeting of the ECVCP. Honorary member status does not confer the right to act as a specialist in Veterinary Clinical Pathology or include specialist status in a diagnostic document. Honorary members shall have all the privileges of membership except the right to vote or hold office and shall pay no dues.

  1. Associate member:

The College may confer Associate member status on scientists who have contributed significantly to research in Veterinary medicine. Admission criteria for Associate Members are defined by the Executive Committee of the College. These criteria have to ascertain that only scientists of international repute who are active in the field covered by the College are admitted as Associate Members. More over:-

  1. a) Associate Members are not conferred any diplomas and are not entitled to use the designation of Diplomate.
  2. b) Associate Members are encouraged to participate in the training of Residents together with Diplomates of the College. Associate Members are not entitled to act as Resident Supervisors without a Diplomate responsible for the Training Programme.
  3. c) Associate Members are not allowed to hold office within the College or to vote at the Annual General Meeting. They can be co-opted to College committees as advisors.
  4. d) Associate Members are encouraged to participate in scientific meetings and workshops organised by the College.
  5. e) Associate Members are not allowed to advertise their title.

3.1  Reaccreditation

Diplomates wishing to retain the title of EBVS Specialist in Veterinary Clinical Pathology will be required to follow a reaccreditation process every 5 years . 

Diplomates (except for non-practicing Diplomates and Honorary Diplomates) are required to send in each 5 years a summary of their professional activities in which evidence of fulfilling these requirements and evidence of continuous education must be included. The format of this recertification summary has to be approved of by the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation (EBVS Policies section II, part A.14) and will be evaluated by Members of the Credentials Committee. This standard procedure will be performed according to a credit point system. In this credit point system the following items can be included:

  • Publications
  • Presentations at National Congresses or Continuing Education
  • Presentations at International Congresses
  • Attendance at National or International Congresses
  • Online/distance learning
  • Preparing examination questions
  • Supervision of Residents
  • Membership of Board or College committees
  • Two letters of support

For each item a maximum number of points can be given. A total minimum amount of points has to be collected during a 5 year period.

If a Diplomate does not meet the required number of points they will be removed from the EBVS Specialist Register and may only use the title of Diplomate. A non-practising Diplomate seeking to revert to full Diplomate status needs to satisfy the Credentials Committee.

  

  1. Veterinary Clinical Pathology Training Programme for Diplomate Status

4.1  Definition

A Veterinary Clinical Pathology Training Programme allows Graduate Veterinarians, who have either completed a 1 year rotating internship Programme, or 2 years in Veterinary practice, or equivalent clinical practice acceptable by the Credentials Committee, to acquire in-depth knowledge of Veterinary Clinical Pathology and its supporting disciplines under the supervision and guidance of a Diplomate of the ECVCP, in an ECVCP approved Standard or Alternative Training Programme taking place in an ECVCP Approved Laboratory.

 

4.2  Supervision

Diplomate supervision: A Diplomate of the ECVCP must supervise the training. Although many Diplomates might be involved in a Training Programme, one single Diplomate takes overall responsibility for the Residents’ progress towards sitting the ECVCP Board Examination, which includes the administration and continuity of the Programme and the evaluation of performance and progress of the Trainee at regular intervals (at least each 6 months).

 

Co-supervision: In some circumstances it may be appropriate to have a co-supervisor who holds a non-European title equivalent to the ECVCP board certification, or is an internationally recognized expert in the field of veterinary clinical pathology. If co-supervisors are included in a Training Programme they should show a certain commitment for the further development of Veterinary Clinical Pathology as a specialty in their particular veterinary medicine environment.

 

The Executive Board, based on the recommendations of the Education committee, MUST approve the CV of the non-EBVS recognised specialist who is co-supervising part of the Programme.

 

4.3  Objectives of a Veterinary Clinical Pathology Training Programme

ECVCP Training Programmes are intended to help trainees to acquire knowledge, ability and skills in all areas of veterinary clinical pathology. They are meant to promote young specialists in clinical pathology, who are dedicated to further and develop the speciality and be valued members of the professional community. This includes also aspects which cannot be tested in the certifying examination, but represent integral qualities of a Diplomate of the ECVCP:-

 

  • To promote aptitude and proficiency in veterinary clinical pathology
  • To instruct graduate veterinarians in the science and practice of Veterinary Clinical Pathology and its supporting disciplines
  • To provide graduate veterinarians with the opportunity to pursue a career in teaching, research, diagnostic, industrial or regulatory/governmental practice of veterinary clinical pathology.
  • To advance Veterinary Clinical Pathology through promotion of research and publications

4.4 General Programme Outline

Specific topics to be covered in the training include the 4 core disciplines general clinical pathology, haematology, cytology and clinical biochemistry, primarily for companion animals, large animals, and laboratory animals, but also for exotic animals, birds, and fish.

 

Prerequisites for all Training Programmes

 

Prior to starting a Training Programme all trainees need to register with the ECVCP and pay a 250 Euro administration fee (non-refundable).

 

The training laboratory must obtain approval by both the education committee and the lab standards committee as an established approved site prior to recruiting/admitting a Resident/trainee.

 

The application for a Training Programme must be approved prior to the start of a Programme.

 

4.5  Content of Training

All Training Programmes shall provide adequate training in each of the following 4 areas: general clinical pathology (pathophysiology, including immunology and laboratory management, quality planning, quality assurance and quality control), clinical biochemistry (including endocrinology and molecular diagnostics), haematology, and cytology. If the primary institution cannot provide training in all areas, additional training at other institutions is required. Ideally, direct contact with other Diplomates or similarly qualified persons in other areas pertinent to clinical pathology (mainly clinical medicine, e.g. internal medicine, surgery, equine and large animal medicine, laboratory, exotic and wildlife animal medicine, pathology) should be included.

 

The following species shall be included in all Training Programmes: companion animals (primarily dog, cat and rabbit), farm animals (primarily cattle, with some sheep, pigs and poultry), horses, laboratory animals (primarily dog, rat, mouse and monkey), and to a lesser extent non-traditional pet species (birds, fish, reptiles), zoo animals and wildlife.

 

All trainees are required to spend at least one month (20 days) per year for each of the 3 years in externships. These externships must be approved in advance and may include:-

  • Visits approved by the Education Committee to other Institutions for training in areas of Veterinary Clinical Pathology not available at the Training Institution. If the externship is taking place at an Institution on a different continent in a different time zone the stay should last at least 10 consecutive working days (2 weeks).
  • Attendance of interactive live and/or on-line workshops/seminars/courses approved by the ECVCP relevant to the training, including the ECVCP Summer School.
  • Attendance of Scientific Congresses in all areas of Veterinary Clinical Pathology.
  • A list of the externships should be included in the application for Training Programme approval.

A detailed schedule of the Externships planned for the first year of the Training Programme should be included in the Resident’s Registration Form.

 

Schedules of Externships for the following years should be included within the Annual Training Progress Report; a Proof of Agreement for the Resident’s participation should be provided by the person responsible for the delivery of the externship. If the Training Programme is not based in a University/Veterinary School, 50% of the total time required for fulfilling all externships should be spent in a University/Veterinary School.

 

4.6  Learning Environment

The Programme should emphasize basic understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms of clinical pathology changes at a molecular, cellular, organ and whole animal level in a veterinary medical context.

 

The environment should provide the intellectual and physical facilities for the advancement of the science of Veterinary Clinical Pathology through structured discussion, review of current literature, practice of veterinary clinical pathology, research, scientific communication (lectures, scientific courses) and scientific publication.

 

Mandatory Clinical Pathology Laboratory standards include adequate facilities, compliance with Health & Safety standards, written Operational Procedures and Policies, current methodologies and technologies, a Programme for quality management including quality control and proficiency testing, a laboratory information management system, documentation of personnel training and development, and an ECVCP Diplomate who is responsible for all aspects of Laboratory management.

 

Each Primary Training Laboratory involved in Training Programmes must be approved by the Laboratory Standards Committee. A 250 Euro Administration Fee (non-refundable) must be paid prior to apply for Laboratory Standards Approval.

 

The Laboratory Standards Application requires information about quality control used for testing in the core areas of clinical pathology and confirmation of the association of a Diplomate (or a co-supervisor) with the laboratory.

 

4.7  Reference Material

In addition to developing practical knowledge, skills and abilities in the Laboratory, Trainees are expected to be familiar with information covered in standard textbooks and the current (up to 5 years old) peer reviewed literature on Veterinary Clinical Pathology. The Education Committee will maintain and provide a recommended reading list of standard textbooks and journals on the ESVCP/ECVCP Website (www.esvcp.org). Supplemental information on the pathophysiologic basis of clinical pathology changes can be found in relevant sections of standard textbooks of internal medicine, pathophysiology and general pathology. Current information on standard laboratory management can be found in relevant sections of textbooks in veterinary and human clinical pathology.

 

See www.esvcp.org Reading list



4.8  Documentation

The Trainee must maintain an Activity Log that records the nature and chronology of their training activities and that is reviewed and signed by the Supervisor every 6 months. This Activity Log should include:

  • Relevant courses or tutorials taken;
  • A list giving a qualitative and quantitative overview of diagnostic service activities in each of the three areas of biochemistry, haematology, and cytology;
  • Rotations or externships in other relevant disciplines or to other training sites;
  • Relevant seminars, workshops or conferences attended;
  • Any relevant presentations or publications;

 

See: www.esvcp.org “Info Centre and documents / examination”

Activity logs must be available for review at any time throughout the training period, at the request of the ECVCP Education Committee.

See: www.esvcp.org “Info Centre and documents / examination/Guidelines Template Activity Log

  

4.9  Standard Training Programme in Veterinary Clinical Pathology

Definition: A Standard Training Programme in Veterinary Clinical Pathology must take place in a Training Site approved by the College.

 

Duration of Training: The standard Training Programme shall be a minimum of 36 months duration accomplished within 5 consecutive years. Candidates must spend 20 working days (1 month) per year in externships. These 20 days must include a minimum of 10 consecutive working days (2 weeks) at any individual externship site if the training site requires extensive travelling to another continent or time zone.

 

If the approved Training site is not a University, at least 50% of the externship time (over 3 years) must take place at a University.

 

If the approved training site is outside Europe, a non-ECVCP Diplomate may act as a co-supervisor as defined by EBVS policy and procedures and as outlined in section 4.2. The co-supervisor and the non- European Training Site must be approved by the College before the training starts. In such cases all externships must take place in Europe under the direct supervision of the ECVCP Diplomate acting as a Supervisor.

 

The Training Programme must be completed by the date of the examination.

 

4.10    Alternative Training Programme in Veterinary Clinical Pathology

  1. Definition: A Veterinarian whose circumstances do not permit enrolment in a Standard Residency Programme may submit an alternate Programme to the College, in conjunction with his/her Supervisor, outlining the resources available to them, for advanced study and experience. The Alternate Programme is not approved for anyone other than the Resident in question. The Alternate Programme must be approved by the College before the Resident embarks on it, and the total length of this Programme cannot be shorter than the Standard Residency Programme. The precise form of each individual Programme is at the discretion of the Education Committee. The total time of an Alternate Programme must not exceed six years. A Resident on an Alternate Training Programme must spend the equivalent of at least 60% of 3 years working in the practice of his/her specialty, under direct supervision of a Diplomate of the College.

 

The application for Alternative Training Programs must be accompanied by a Curriculum Vitae and a Letter of Intent by the Candidate Resident, and must be submitted to the Secretariat. These Programs are approved by the Executive Board based on a recommendation by the Education Committee.

 

Duration of Training: The alternative Training Programmes shall be a minimum of 48 months duration accomplished within6 consecutive years.

 

The Training Programme must be completed by the date of the examination (September of each year).

 

Arrangements regarding the external training periods / externships have to be included in the Training Application as well as a Statement of Agreement with the persons supervising those training periods (see also section 4.5).

 

4.11 Continuing Education

National and International Continuing Education Programmes, meetings and courses are essential additional sources of new information in Clinical Pathology or related disciplines. Suitable continuing education may include, for example, those Programmes, meetings and courses organised by or under the auspices of the ESVCP, the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP) or the American College of Veterinary Pathology (ACVP) and the EBVS. Attendance at such meetings can be credited towards externships.

 

4.12 Submission of a Training Programme

Training Programme Applications may be submitted to the Secretariat at any time. Review by the Education Committee can take up to 3 months. It is recommended to only submit complete Applications (i.e. including Laboratory Standard application or approval), as the request for additional documentation can delay the process. An Administration Fee of 250 Euros will be charged.

See www.esvcp.com to download Laboratory Standard and Training Programme Application Forms

 

4.13 Application for a Residency

See www.esvcp.com Residency Application Form

 

4.14 Transfer of Residents from one Programme to another

In general, the transfer of a Resident from one Training Programme to another is not encouraged. Importantly, the Education Committee has to be informed in advance. Below there is a list of accompanying documents required for the approval of a Residents transfer by the Education Committee. Specifically, a statement from both of the past and the future Supervisors are required with an explanation for the reasons for the transfer:

 

  • The Resident should briefly explain the reasons for the transfer.

 

  • Both the past and the future supervisor should briefly acknowledge their supervisory responsibility (e.g. with an Annual Report and an evaluation of the Resident, a signed agreement for future supervision).

 

The Education Committee will make every possible effort to keep the turnaround time at 1 month or less. Recognition of externship training time will be decided on an individual basis. In case of repeat Resident transfer incidents in a particular Training Programme, the Education Committee will evaluate whether additional measures are required.

 

4.15 Temporary Interruption of Programmes

A residency Programme may be temporarily interrupted for personal / family reason pending that the College approves. To this aim a letter from the supervisor must be sent to the Board through the secretariat (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), stating that the training must be interrupted and why, and the provisional duration of this interruption.

 

  1. The Examination

5.1  Application for Examination

Application forms are available from the Secretariat (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or from the website (www.esvcp.org). The Application requires the signature of a Diplomate of the College. The signatory certifies that he/she supervises the Candidate and that an ECVCP Approved Programme in an ECVCP Approved Training Laboratory has been followed to permit sitting of the examination.

 

An application is valid for only one year except for repeat Candidates. (See "5.6 Results of the Examination")

 

Completed application forms accompanied by the examination fee of 500 EURO must be received by the Secretariat postmarked no later than March 1st of the year of examination.

 

The deadline of March 1st is valid also for Candidates enrolled in Training Programmes that end later than March 1st.  In this case, Candidates must submit their application by March 1st, including:-

 

  • All relevant documentation (activity log, case log, one (1) first author publication and one (1) second author publication).
  • Documentation regarding the externship that must have been completed before March 1st of the year of the examination.
  • A provisional schedule of the activities to be completed in the remaining period of the residency

In the event of acceptance, Candidates/Supervisors will be requested to submit an updated Activity and Case log by August 31st prior to the examination.

 

Eligibility to sit the examination is determined by the Credentials Committee and Executive Board in early April. Applicants are promptly notified of the decision. If the Applicant's credentials are not accepted, or if Candidates withdraw from the examination prior to June 1st, fees are refunded, except for a 10 percent processing charge. No refunds are made after this date, and no fees may be carried over to be applied toward an examination in a subsequent year.

 

An individual who has received an unfavourable ruling regarding qualifications to sit the examination may appeal against this decision. Such an appeal must be received in writing by the Secretariat of the College within 30 days of the date of the letter informing the individual of the unfavourable decision.

 

5.2  General Requirements for Admission to Board Examination

The following prerequisites must be met to the satisfaction of the Executive Board before any Candidate is eligible to undertake any Board Examination in Veterinary Clinical Pathology.

An eligible Candidate must:

  • Have a satisfactory moral and ethical standing in relation to the practice of Veterinary medicine;
  • Have completed at least 3 years of full-time post-graduate training and experience in Veterinary Clinical Pathology that is acceptable to the Executive Board;

 

Acceptable means: -

  • The Training Programme has to be directed and supervised by a Diplomate of ECVCP.
  • The Training Laboratory has to be approved as an ECVCP Training Site by the Laboratory Standards Committee prior to approval of an actual Training Programme.
  • The Training Programme has to be approved by the ECVCP Education Committee prior to recruitment/appointment of a Resident (starting January 1st 2011).
  • The documentation of the individual Trainee’s Programme has to be approved by the ECVCP Credentials Committee after completion of the training period for admission to the Board Examination.
  • The Candidate has to be one (1) first author publication and one (1) second publication where he/she can be stated as an author in any position in the list of authors which demonstrate application of scientific methods on subjects that are relevant to Veterinary Clinical Pathology. The articles must have been published or accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed international journal before March 1st of the application year. One article may be a case report with literature review, an evaluation or validation of diagnostic methodology or technology in clinical pathology, a retrospective or prospective study of Clinical Pathology changes in a disease or toxic state, or a pathophysiological study of clinical pathology changes.

 

5.3      The Format of the Examination

The Examination is designed to test Candidates'

(a)        Understanding of the broad principles of clinical pathology;

(b)        Ability to practice competently Veterinary Clinical Pathology; and

(c)        Ability to synthesise data and observations in problem solving.

The Examination is divided into the following four disciplines:

(i)         General Clinical Pathology: This section of the Examination tests the Candidate's understanding of the pathophysiological bases of clinical pathology changes and general principles of laboratory management. It will consist of 60 multiple choice questions and 4 short answer/essay questions (designed to assess the ability of the Candidate to describe pathophysiological mechanisms and to solve problems related to laboratory management). Multiple choice questions and short answer questions are focused on:-

(a)        Pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for haematological, biochemical or cytological changes; and

(b)        Laboratory management, including for example method and technology validation, good laboratory practice, quality control, laboratory statistics and reference intervals, basic epidemiology, evaluation of diagnostic efficacy and efficiency.

(ii)        Clinical Biochemistry : This section of the Examination tests the Candidate's understanding of the diagnostic significance of clinical biochemistry including endocrinology and immunology testing, molecular diagnostics and associated methodologies and technologies. It will consist of 50 multiple choice questions and 4 Case Evaluations. The Case Evaluations could include integrated interpretation of clinical biochemical, haematological, and urinalysis data including laboratory aspects of endocrinology and immunology testing. This section can include associated methodologies with related instrumentation and analytical test principles of instrumentation. Questions will be designed to achieve a balance between species, systems, and diseases.

(iii)       Haematology : This section of the Examination tests the Candidate's understanding of the diagnostic significance of haematology (including haemostasis) and associated methodologies and technologies. It will consist of three sections, 40 multiple choice questions, 20 projected image questions (images could include photomicrographs, instrument cytograms), and evaluation of 10 haematology glass slides (including blood and bone marrow smears). Glass slide evaluation required answers include a complete description, a morphologic and etiologic (if appropriate) diagnosis, or appropriate differential diagnoses with suggestions for additional diagnostic procedures. Questions will be designed to achieve a balance between species, systems, and diseases.

 

(iv)       Cytology : This section of the Examination tests the Candidate's understanding of the diagnostic significance of cytology and associated methodologies and technologies. It will consist of three sections, 25 multiple choice questions, 25 projected image questions (images include mainly photomicrographs), and evaluation of 15 cytology glass slides. Glass slide evaluation required answers include a complete description, a morphologic and an etiologic (if appropriate) diagnosis, or appropriate differential diagnoses with suggestions for additional diagnostic procedures. Questions will be designed to achieve a balance between species, systems, and diseases.

(v)        Pass marks : The sum of points for each of the four sections (haematology, clinical biochemistry, cytology, general clinical pathology) of the examination is converted into the final mark for the section which either is “passed” (>/=60%) or “failed” (<60%). Although the sections contain different exam question types (i.e., multiple choice questions, projected images of cases, glass slide evaluations, clinical cases focused on biochemistry, short answer questions on general clinical pathology topics), candidates get one final mark for each section*, which is expressed as points obtained/maximum points for each section. The final marks of the sections are calculated by the grading marks of the exam question types within the section. A <60% mark for any of the four sections represents a failure of the exam. In order to pass the whole exam, the candidate must pass all four sections, but if the candidate passes two or three sections, they do not need to repeat those, only the section(s) which they did not pass. If a candidate passes only one section, they have to repeat all four sections.

*The weighting of the different types of questions per section is as following:  Heamatology andCytology: MCQ: 20% of the final mark, projected pictures: 20% of the final mark, glass slides: 60 % of the final mark.

Biochemistry/Endokrinology and the General Clinical Pathology: MCQ: 50% of the final mark, essays or clinical cases: 50% of the final mark.

 

5.4  Organisation of the Examination

The Examination will be held every year in Northern hemisphere autumn at a location in Europe and will be conducted in English.

 

5.5  Withdrawal/Illness

Withdrawal prior to the Examination or failure to appear for the Examination will not constitute an attempt to sit all or any part(s) of the Exam, but will count as one of the years for which repeat Candidates are eligible to pass any previously failed part(s). A Candidate's illness during preparation for, or during the actual Examination, will not be considered a valid reason to waive the rules of the College. In the event a Candidate starts, but is unable to complete the Examination, results will be determined for all sections for which the Candidate is scheduled, regardless of the number of sections completed.

 

5.6  Results of Examination

Candidates are required to satisfactorily complete all parts of the certification Examination to become certified. A certified person is designated as a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology and recognised as a European Veterinary Specialist in Veterinary Clinical Pathology by the EBVS.

 

A Candidate who takes the Examination and passes two or three parts out of the total of four parts retains credit for the parts passed, provided a mark of more than 30% has been attained in the failed part(s). Three additional attempts within 8 years after completion of the Training Programme are permitted to pass the failed parts. Candidates who wish to retake the failed part(s) must announce their intentions in a letter received by the Secretariat, postmarked no later than March 1st of the year in which they wish to retake the examination accompanied by a fee of 50% of the current Registration Fee.

 

Candidates who do not pass the failed parts within the 8 years after Training Programme completion as described above must reapply as new Candidates and retake all parts (see "Application for Certification" section for date, fee and instructions. A new Application Form is required).

 

Candidates who attempt all parts of the Examination and who fail three or four parts must inform the Credential Committee by email before 1st March of the year they intended to take the exam.

 

A Candidate who fails a certifying Examination may request that the marks of the parts failed be recalculated to verify the accuracy of the results reported. The verification process is not intended to re-evaluate the content or interpretation of the Examination or Candidate responses but to determine that the scores are correctly totaled.  Such requests must be received in writing, accompanied by a fee of 100 EURO, within 30 days of the date of mailing of the results of the examination to the Candidate.