This guide contains the list of books and journals recommended as study materials for the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) examination.
Residents are responsible for ensuring they are using the correct edition of a book for their exam.
Please ask your librarian, mentor, or specialty board examination committee if questions arise.
Source: ACVS Certification Examination Reading List
This resource updated: April 11, 2025
Source reading list reviewed: April 11, 2025
Source reading list updated by specialty board: 09/2015
"The following references and books are suggested reading for preparation for the 2016 Examination. Other textbooks and current references may be pertinent. Knowledge of basic and applied anatomy is assumed."
Textbook of Medical Physiology (print) by 
Equine Anesthesia: Monitoring and Emergency Therapy (print) by 
Farm Animal Surgery (print) by 
Diagnostic and Surgical Arthroscopy in the Horse by 
Small Animal Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics by 
Advances in Equine Laparoscopy (print) by 
Textbook of Veterinary Anatomy by "The following references and books are suggested reading for preparation for the 2016 examination. Other textbooks and current references may be pertinent. Knowledge of basic and applied anatomy is assumed."
Guyton and Hall Textbook of Textbook of Medical Physiology (print) by 
Lumb and Jones' Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (print) by 
Small Animal Surgery (print) by Small Animal Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics by 
AO Principles of Fracture Management in the Dog and Cat by 
Veterinary Surgery: Small Animal by 
