Prospective ECVIM-CA Residents will be required to have broad training and experience in clinical companion animal medicine and surgery and their supporting disciplines, which must be attained by participation in an internship.

An internship shall be a minimum of a 12 month, full-time term of flexible, rotating clinical training in veterinary medicine beyond the professional degree, providing extra practical experience and training in the clinical and basic sciences. This prepares the veterinarian to decide on their area of specialisation. It is important that an internship be truly a rotation, involving a wide range of clinical activities, under the direction of at least one EBVS approved Diplomate.

The suitability of an internship for further ECVIM-CA approved training is at the discretion of each residency Programme Director.