Definition of specialist should be:

""Specialist" means a veterinarian who has been awarded board certificatoin status by a specialty organization recognized by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties of the American Veterinary Medical Association, or any other organization approved by the board and been awarded certification status."

This ensures that those that complete [majority of] criteria though do not pass all examinations, complete a publication, etc are unable to identify as specialist til such time, board certification is awarded by the college itself.

~Danielle T. Russ

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