Veterinary students may take:

Small Animal Level 1 after completing their first year of veterinary school
Small Animal Level 2 after their second year
Small Animal Level 3 after their third year

Equine Level 1 after completing their sophomore year
Equine Level 2 after completing their junior year

Veterinary candidates will receive certification upon graduating and obtaining their veterinary license.

Yes. The EBVA Small Animal Certification Course should be completed within four years.

What if I need more time to complete the course?

We understand that life can bring unexpected challenges. While we encourage students to follow the session schedule for continuity, we offer case-by-case extensions when needed.

Extensions beyond four years may incur additional fees.

Graduates from other acupuncture programs who wish to earn the EBVA Basic Certification (cEBVA) in either equine or small animal must complete all online coursework and attend at least one in-person session:

Equine track: Attend Level Two
Small Animal track: Attend Level Two or Level Three

To obtain the EBVA Basic Certification (cEBVA), graduates from other programs must:

Complete Level One online
Complete one additional Level online
Fully participate in either Level Two (Equine) or Level Three (Small Animal), including both online and in-person components

Certified acupuncture practitioners may also take online lectures beginning with Level One for CE credit without attending full sessions, unless pursuing certification.

Participants can enroll in online classes but to receive a certification, students must attend the in-person portion.

Our in person sessions are designed for small, highly interactive groups, ensuring a personalized learning experience. To maintain quality instruction, we limit class sizes to a maximum ratio of one instructor per 3 to 4 students. This allows for individualized guidance, hands-on practice, and in-depth discussions throughout the course.

See the complete list of in-person courses.

Yes! Small Animal Sessions are currently offered in Massachusetts and Colorado. Students may attend sessions at either location. Future Sessions are planned for the Big Island of Hawaii.

Equine Sessions are currently scheduled in Massachusetts, with dates on the Big Island of Hawaii soon to be announced.

For small animal-only certification (cEBVAsa):

This is a 132-hour commitment that takes place over three levels. Each level has 20-24 hours of online content followed by a three-day in-person training. The online content will all be offered through Tufts University, but the in-person content can be completed in one of three locations: Tufts, Colorado or Hawaii.

132 total hours of education:
- 20 hours of online material per session
- 24 hours of in-person laboratory and evaluation per session
Three case report presentations between sessions

See the Small Animal curriculum.

For equine-only certification (cEBVAeq):

This is an 90-hour commitment that takes place in two levels. Level One requires 20 hours online preparation and a three-day in person training (offered at Tuft's and Hawaii). Level Two requires a 24-28 hour online preparation and a two-day in person training. Level Two is only be offered at Tuft's.

90 total hours of education:
- Level One:
  - 25 hours of online material
  - 24 hours of in-person laboratory and evaluation (3 days)
- Level Two:
  - 25 hours of online material
  - 18 hours of in-person laboratory and evaluation (2 days)

Between in-person sessions, students must treat cases and submit three sets of case reports and presentations.

See the Equine curriculum.

EBVA's Cancellation Policy

We understand that schedules and commitments can change, and while we’re disappointed that you won’t be able to complete your Evidence-Based Veterinary Acupuncture (EBVA) Course at this time, we have the following policy in place to guide you through your options.

For Certification Courses:

If you need to change your attendance date or location after registering, a $100.00 administration fee will apply.
If you have not accessed the online learning portal and are unable to reschedule for a future class, a 15% administration fee will be deducted from your refund. The remaining balance will be refunded, and access to the online portal will be removed.
If you have accessed the online learning portal, you will receive a $1,100.00 refund. Access to the online learning portal will remain available for the level purchased.

For Online Course-Only Registrations:

If you have not accessed the online learning portal, a 15% administration fee will be deducted from your refund. The remaining balance will be refunded, and access to the portal will be removed.
If you have accessed the online learning portal, no refunds will be issued.

We appreciate your understanding and hope to welcome you to a future course!

That’s fantastic—we love eager learners!

Graduates of EBVA are eligible for future elective courses in specialized areas, including:

Exotic Animals
Aviary Medicine
Zoo Animal Acupuncture

Small Animal Graduates who choose to pursue the Acu-Equus Certification Course or Acu-Equus Graduates who wish to pursue the Small Animal Certification receive a 15% discount.

Participants must complete at least 100 hours of RACE-approved acupuncture continuing education every 10 years to maintain certification.

All graduates of certified acupuncture programs may access online lectures, beginning with Level One, for continuing education (CE) credits without attending full sessions unless they are pursuing formal certification.

Upon achieving certification, graduates will be eligible to participate in elective courses. Graduates choosing to enroll in their second species (Acu-Equus certification or EBVAsa) will receive a 15% discount. Upon completion of both courses graduates will be awarded the non-restricted (cEBVA).

If graduates from other programs wish to obtain the EBVA Basic Certification (cEBVA) in either equine or small animal, they will need to complete all online sessions, and attend one in-person session.

Small Animal Level Three

Evidence Based Veterinary Acupuncture Small Animal Certification Course

Level Three: Acu-IM (internal medicine) and more species

Online Session One: Expanding the alphabet: Acupuncture Points, Channels and Regions

Learn the named Bladder Line points along the spine, and how they relate to back (Shu) points, and front (Mu) points.
Learn additional points that offer diagnostic and homeostatic effects without integrating as closely with known scientific constructs
Learn points on the head. Reinforce the sometimes aligned, and sometimes contradictory goals of treating along acupuncture meridians versus treating along myofascial kinetic chains.

Session One Objectives:

Increase the size of your acupuncture “alphabet” of points and expand indications for using these points. Add further clarity to the channels’ contribution to point locations and be comfortable following channels from beginning to end.

Session One Learning outcomes:

Have basic knowledge of the entire lexicon of transposed (and some named) acupuncture points.
Demonstrate comfort in following channels from beginning to end
Describe somato-visceral reflex loops and identify which acupuncture points are reported to engage somato-autonomic long-loop reflexes to identify and modify organ disease.

Online Session Two: Internal Medicine Paradigms for point formula

Review the neuro-immune function of the parasympathetic nervous system and the global effects of the vagus, as well as visceral pain embryology and common points that stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system.
Learn sensible approaches to a variety of internal medicine conditions (while continuing to base all treatments on what is found in your JAM exam)
Acupuncture treatments for the following conditions will be presented: immune system diseases, gastro-intestinal conditions and nausea/vomiting, laryngeal and respiratory conditions, special sensory systems- hearing, vision, taste, Urinary and Reproductive conditions, metabolic conditions, anesthesia augmentation, dental and orofacial pain diseases, cancer, animal behavior, ophthalmic conditions and palliative care.

Session Two Objectives:

This session introduces a whole new world for the blossoming acupuncturist- adding a diversity of diagnostic and treatment possibilities that formerly might have seemed unreachable. Recognizing the cross-talk between the touchable and un-touchable body systems will permanently transform your medical practice.

Session Two Learning Outcomes:

Learn about pathophysiology and acupuncture for various medical conditions, and conditions of the head.
Note how internal medicine conditions often correlate with JAM exam findings, and why this might be the case.
Refine your application of point formula to minimize needles, but treat points that overlap with several of the objectives in your exam and treatment.

Online Session 3: Expanding the Boundaries

“Deepening” needling techniques and exploring TCVM personality traits as they relate to acupuncture
Balancing cost and quality in veterinary acupuncture
Translating and transposing: how to apply basic small animal acupuncture skills to other species.

Session Three Objectives:

In session three the practice of acupuncture has become skilled, and it can now be applied through various types of individuals, clinical and socio-economic settings, and even in less common species.

Session Three Learning Outcomes:

Explain how to treat various internal medicine conditions with acupuncture
Prepare comparative acupuncture and integrative medicine plans for families from three divergent economic locale, and evaluate the advantages of each
Pick a species of your choice and consider how you would transpose points, as well as approach this patient for acupuncture treatment.

Three canine (or feline) cases must be completed between Level One and Level Two. At least one sports medicine/mobility and one internal medicine cases should be included. Case reports are required for all three.

A Virtual real-time check in with Faculty and Students will be required the weekend before arriving to in-person course. All online material must be completed before starting the in-person course.

In-Person Curriculum:

Day One:

Dog-side review of case reports and accuracy of point location
Assessing comprehension of head points and needling of head points
Reviewing back Shu points, front Mu points, and their organ relationship
Treating internal medicine cases in dogs and cats

Day Two:

Recap anatomy lab details on previous and new points, and new species
Panel discussion: complex cases and integrative medicine
Treat internal medicine cases
Present internal medicine cases
Review TCVM personality types
PARTY!!

Day Three:

Exposure to less familiar species - horse, rabbit
Round-table discussion: business and ethics of acupuncture, social license, membership organization and collaboration, board certification.

Course Information

Date	March 6, 2026 - March 8, 2026
Registration Opens	January 5, 2026
Price	$3,000
In Person Location	Colorado Veterinary Specialty Group 401 E County Line Road, Littleton, CO, 80122