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Certifying Examinations

Requalifying Examination for Repeatedly Unsuccessful Candidates

The Requalifying Exam (RQE) requirement only applies to those candidates who must take the entire ACVP Certifying Exam, i.e. all four (4) sections, for at least the second time. This requirement became effective with the 2004 Certifying Exam. Therefore, exam failures in 2003 or before do not count in determining eligibility for the RQE. Only those exam failures from 2004 and after are applied towards the requirement to take the RQE. The RQE offered in April each year at one or more institution(s) in North America, such as a school of veterinary medicine, at which appropriate arrangements can be made by the ACVP Secretary-Treasurer. Candidates have 2 hours to complete the RQE. A passing grade on the RQE is 60% and candidates must pass the RQE before their application to take the Certifying Exam can be approved. Passing the RQE qualifies a candidate to take only the very next Certifying Exam.

RQE in Veterinary Anatomic Pathology:
The examination consists of a total of 75 multiple choice questions (25 on topics in general pathology and 50 in veterinary pathology). The 50 veterinary pathology questions consist of approximately 10 in clinical pathology, 11 in dog & cat pathology, 11 in laboratory animal pathology, 11 in large animal pathology, and 7 in non-mammalian/exotic/wildlife/zoological (NEWZ) species pathology.

RQE in Veterinary Clinical Pathology:
The examination consists of a total of 75 multiple choice questions (25 on topics in general pathology and 50 on topics in veterinary clinical pathology). The 50 clinical pathology questions consist of approximately 20 in clinical biochemistry, 15 in hematology, and 10 in cytology and surgical pathology.

Application for RQE:
Candidates who are required to take the RQE must complete the regular application for the ACVP Certifying Exam. Candidates registering for the RQE do not need to file a study plan.

RQE Results:
A passing grade for the RQE is 60% (equivalent to 45 correct answers). Candidates who pass the RQE are qualified to take only the very next ACVP Certifying Examination. Passing the RQE does not confer or imply any guarantee of passing the ACVP Certifying Examination or any portion thereof. Candidates who fail the RQE are not accepted to take the Certifying Examination and must apply to retake the RQE the following year.

Other Uses of the RQE:
The RQE is neither intended nor available for any purpose other than to qualify candidates to retake the Certifying Examination.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. If I fail 3 or 4 sections on the 2007 Certifying Exam, will I be required to take the RQE? It depends. If this is the first time you will be required to retake all four (4) sections of the Certifying Exam, then No. Otherwise, Yes.

2. If I fail the one section remaining for me to pass on the 2007 Certifying Exam and then must retake all four (4) sections, will I be required to take the RQE? It depends. If this is the first time you will be required to retake all four (4) sections of the Certifying Exam, then No. Otherwise, Yes for all failures from 2004 of after.

3. If I am required to take the RQE, am I required to submit a plan of study? No.

4. Where is the RQE offered? At one or more institution(s) in North America, such as a school of veterinary medicine, at which appropriate arrangements can be made by the ACVP Secretary-Treasurer.

5. When is the RQE offered? In April of each calendar year. The exact date will be communicated to candidates after their application and fees for taking the RQE has been received.

6. How do I apply for the RQE? The application for the Certifying Exam will have a separate section for candidates required to take the RQE.

7. What is the deadline for RQE application? The same as for the Certifying Exam application which is currently January 10 of each calendar year.

8. How much does the RQE cost? $150. This amount is in addition to the cost of the Certifying Exam, but you will not be charged for the Certifying Exam until you pass the RQE.

9. What happens if I fail the RQE? You will not be approved to take the Certifying Exam. You must wait until the following year and retake the RQE.

10. How many times can I take the RQE?Presently there is no limit.

11. Does passing the RQE qualify me to take the Certifying Exam more than once? No. Passing the RQE qualifies you to take only the very next Certifying Exam offered. If you do not pass at least 2 parts of that Certifying Exam you must retake the RQE in a subsequent year.

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