Programs

Important Information for Programs

Last Updated: August 21, 2026

The Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program^® (VIRMP^®) is sponsored by the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians (AAVC). The VIRMP is a listing and matching service and does not evaluate or accredit programs. You should review the information in the VIRMP Info section to understand how the match works and what is expected in addition to the information shared here.

• Based on survey feedback, changes were made to the “Work Schedule” section of the program description form. The caseload definitions have also been clarified with further examples. To see a sample of the information that you will be expected to submit, click here.
• You can import previous programs to use as a starting point. Not all fields will be imported, and you may need to re-enter some of the information. It is important to ensure that all information in the 2027 VIRMP, including information imported, is reviewed for accuracy.
• Participating institutions and private practices agree to the VIRMP Terms of Service at the time of registration. Please review the Terms of Service and make certain your program complies.
• Interested parties can view program descriptions without an account. All users must agree to Terms of Access that include restrictions on accessing program descriptions via automated means and reproducing the data. Please review the Terms of Service for more information.
• All internship programs must use the published VIRMP application deadline of January 4, 2027. A program cannot require applicants to submit materials by an earlier deadline. Residency programs must use the stated VIRMP application deadline of January 4, 2027 unless an earlier deadline has been approved by the VIRMP, currently only the laboratory animal residencies.
• Applicants will be assigned a VIRMP account number after payment is received. The VIRMP account number will be on all application material and will be used to identify candidates on the rank order list. Please provide space for the applicant’s VIRMP account number on special forms your institution or private practice requires in addition to the standard VIRMP application.
• Applicants will submit all application material online. These “application packets”, including personal statement, standard VIRMP application form, curriculum vitae, transcripts and Standardized Letters of Reference, will be available for institutions and private practices to download from the VIRMP website.
• NEW for 2027: The VIRMP will offer a “Review Workspace” where program coordinators can invite reviewers to review application materials through an in-browser interface. Reviewers can share lists with their coordinators to help coordinators build their rank order lists. For more information, click here. Full application packets in PDF format will continue to be available.
• NEW for 2027: The VIRMP will offer programs a “Pre-Read” for each applicant for screening purposes. A “Pre-Read” is an LLM summary of application materials submitted including their personal statement, curriculum vitae and reference letters. These summaries will be available via PDF download and via the “Review Workspace.” Using these summaries is optional and programs have access to all application materials for review. Programs should review complete application packets prior to including an applicant on their Rank Order List.
• NEW for 2027: The VIRMP will ask applicants for their NAVLE^® Status. The choices will be Passed, Scheduled, Taken (pending score), Plan to take and Do not plan to take. It is important that programs verify all NAVLE^® information prior to ranking an applicant if the information is important to your program. Applicants cannot change their status after January 4, 2027.
• NEW for 2027: The VIRMP will ask applicants for their Career Interest. The choices will be Academic Practice, Private Practice, Research, Other, Undecided.
• The VIRMP uses an online Standardized Letter of Reference (SLOR) to improve and streamline the evaluation process. Applicants input the name and email address of 3 or 4 persons who will complete an SLOR in support of their application. An email will automatically go to this person that includes the name of the applicant and a secure link through which the SLOR can be completed. Once submitted by the person serving as a reference, the SLOR will be directed electronically to the applicant’s application packet. Applicants will not have access to letters written in support of their application. The current internship and residency SLOR templates may be viewed at www.virmp.org/slor.
• The cost will be $110.00 per position
• All program submissions are due by October 15, 2026. Institutions and private practices may not make changes to their program descriptions after this date. Applicants understand final program submissions are due by October 15th. Program descriptions cannot be changed after October 15th because applicants might not re-review the program description after that date.
• If you are offering an ACVS residency, please review the information regarding ACVS registration at www.virmp.org/surgery-residencies.
• The VIRMP recommends residencies and specialty internships start on or after July 15 to allow interns to complete their rotating internship.
• Applicants are required to answer a work authorization question, and their response appears in the application packet. It is important that you review these responses and ensure that your program can hire the applicant prior to ranking.
• Applicants are provided the following guidance regarding their personal statement: Please provide a personal statement discussing your expectations of an internship (residency) program and your future professional goals. We encourage you to describe your anticipated contributions to your matched program. This may include how your life experiences, background, past activities or unique personal characteristics would contribute to the program in meaningful ways. Programs must not ask applicants to add additional information to their personal statement. If you want additional information from applicants, you must request it separately and have it sent directly to your program.
• The VIRMP will collect demographic information from applicants. Applicants may elect to not answer demographic questions and programs may elect to not download this information. The VIRMP post-match reports will include these data in aggregate form. Demographic information will be available to programs during the application process if the program elects to download. Programs that elect to receive demographic information agree that they will not use these data to engage in any unlawful discrimination, including discrimination prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, or other applicable law. Programs should consult with their human resources department and/or legal counsel.

Get Started

You can sign into the site beginning September 1. If you have an account from last year, you can sign in with it. If you are a new program or if the previous credentials are no longer available due to a staffing change, you should create a new account.

Start a Program

The VIRMP does not oversee or accredit training programs.

Residencies

Residency programs are approved by specialty organizations. Before you list a residency in the VIRMP, you should ensure the program has been approved by the specialty organization.

Internships

Programs do not have to meet prerequisites prior to offering an internship in the VIRMP. Please answer all questions on the program submission form accurately and completely.