ABVS seeking public comment on 2 proposed specialties

The American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) announced a call for public comments regarding 2 new proposed specialties. The American Board of Veterinary Acupuncture (ABVA) and the American Embryo Transfer Association (AETA) both have asked ABVS to be recognized veterinary specialty organizations (RVSOs).

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the ABVS will be accepting comments on the proposals through August 12, 2025.¹ The AVMA utilizes public comments to gauge both the distinctiveness of the proposed specialty from current RVSOs and the public need for the specialty.

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Embryo transfer

The AETA organizing committee explained that this assisted reproductive technology is unique and a specialized field in veterinary medicine, requiring extensive training and mastery of the technical and invasive skills. To receive certification from the AETA, individuals must pass an examination; demonstrate experience; participate in continuing education; and abide by AETA, International Embryo Technology Society, and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) rules, including laboratory and facility inspections. The AETA also pointed out that it is the organization selected by the USDA to certify individuals and companies to export embryos.

“Our high level of scientific knowledge and skills are evident in embryo collection, processing, cryopreservation, and export, a requirement to ensure biosecurity and public health safety and trust. Conventional in vivo and in vitro fertilized applications are invasive and require strict guidelines and attention to detail that is provided to AETA members,” according to the organizing committee’s 1-page summary of the proposed specialty organization.¹

Clinical applications through the AETA take place on several species. In 2023, 565,111 bovine, 14,619 ovine, and 12,178 caprine embryos were transferred into the United States.

Acupuncture

In the US, there are between 4000 and 600 veterinarians who have completed acupuncture certification through 1 of 6 organizations—Chi University, International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, CuraCore, Canine Rehabilitation Institute, Evidence-Based Veterinary Acupuncture, and College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies—according to the ABVA. Of those practitioners, 80% are working primarily with small animals; 10% to 20% are working with equine patients; and a smaller percentage work with farm animals, exotics, zoo animals, and other species.

“Despite widespread clinical use and established training programs, veterinary acupuncture lacks formal specialty recognition. This gap limits oversight, consistency in credentialing, and advancement in education and research. The scope of acupuncture—its diagnostic methods, technical skills, and foundational physiology—is distinct from other existing specialties, and it is not encompassed within any current RVSO,” ABVA’s organizing committee said.¹

The American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture (AAVA) became a member of the AVMA House of Delegates (HOD) in 2014 but was denied recognition as a specialty in 2016. During this time, the ABVS was advising the AVMA Board of Directors on specialty petitions, and the board would then approve or deny the petitions. It recommended the denial of the AAVA for multiple reasons, including a lack of scientific basis for such a specialty.

Then, earlier this year, the HOD approved the "Integrative Veterinary Medicine" policy, which now considers veterinary acupuncture part of alternative and complementary therapies.

Submitting a comment

The AVMA website includes submissions from the ABVA and AETA organizing committees, detailing each organization’s goals and justification for becoming a specialty. Comments should be emailed to ABVS@avma.org and must be submitted separately for each request. When submitting comments, use the following subject lines:

• For ABVA/Acupuncture: “Public comment – Acupuncture Specialty”
• For AETA/Embryo Transfer: “Public comment – Embryo Transfer Specialty”

If accepted, each organization will join the other 22 specialty organizations and 46 specialties recognized by the AVMA.²

References

1. Two proposed veterinary specialties under consideration: Acupuncture, embryo transfer. News release. American Veterinary Medical Association. May 16, 2025. Accessed May 22, 2025. https://www.avma.org/news/two-proposed-veterinary-specialties-under-consideration-acupuncture-embryo-transfer
2. American Board of Veterinary Specialties. Veterinary specialties. American Veterinary Medical Association. Accessed May 22, 2025. https://www.avma.org/education/veterinary-specialties