100+ Free ACLAM Practice Questions
Pass your ACLAM American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
Use of dogs in research under the AWA includes which specific exercise requirement?
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Key Facts: ACLAM Exam
AVMA RVSO
Recognized 1957
ACLAM (aclam.org)
Guide 8th
2011 Edition
NRC Lab Animal Care
IACUC ≥5
Members PHS
Chair, vet, scientist, non-sci, non-affiliated
CBT
Format
Single combined exam, all MCQ
ACLAM is the AVMA-recognized vet specialty board for laboratory animal medicine. Single combined CBT (all MCQ). Master species-specific biology (C57BL/6 mouse strain, Sprague-Dawley rat, NZW rabbit, NHP B virus risk), Guide 8th edition standards, IACUC composition (5 members), AWA exclusions (rats/mice/birds for research), PHS Policy scope (all vertebrates if PHS-funded), and USDA pain categories B/C/D/E.
Sample ACLAM Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your ACLAM exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which inbred mouse strain is the most widely used genetic background for laboratory research?
2What is the typical gestation length for the laboratory mouse (Mus musculus)?
3Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) is most appropriately classified as which type of pathogen?
4Which excluded murine pathogen is a calicivirus that infects intestinal macrophages and dendritic cells?
5Which Helicobacter species is commonly excluded from immunocompromised mouse colonies because it can cause inflammatory bowel disease and hepatitis?
6Which mite species is the most common fur mite identified in contemporary laboratory mouse colonies?
7C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat Western diet are particularly useful as a model of which condition?
8Which of the following are commonly used outbred laboratory rat stocks?
9Sialodacryoadenitis virus (SDAV) of the rat is a member of which virus family?
10Which of the following is the typical gestation length for the laboratory rat?
About the ACLAM Exam
AVMA-recognized veterinary specialty board for laboratory animal medicine. Single combined CBT exam (written + practical merged 2010). Covers laboratory animal biology by species (mouse, rat, rabbit, NHP, dog, pig, ferret, zebrafish, Xenopus), clinical medicine and surgery, pathology (spontaneous lesions in common strains), resource management (facility design, HVAC, biosecurity), animal experimentation (model selection, GLP, study design), and US animal research regulations (AWA, PHS Policy, ARENA/OLAW Guide 8th edition, AAALAC, USDA categories B/C/D/E).
Questions
100 scored questions
Time Limit
Per ACLAM
Passing Score
Per ACLAM (single combined CBT, pass/fail)
Exam Fee
Per ACLAM (ACLAM)
ACLAM Exam Content Outline
Biology by Species
Mouse, rat, rabbit, NHP, dog, pig, ferret, zebrafish, Xenopus
Clinical Medicine & Surgery
Common diseases, anesthesia (isoflurane, ket/xyl), analgesia (buprenorphine, meloxicam), surgery
Pathology
Gross/histopath, common spontaneous lesions (B6 lymphoma, F344 pituitary)
Resource Management
Facility design, HVAC (10-15 ACH), biosecurity, IACUC, costs
Animal Experimentation
Model selection, GLP, study design, refinement (3Rs)
Regulations
AWA, PHS Policy, ARENA/OLAW Guide 8th, AAALAC, USDA pain categories
How to Pass the ACLAM Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Per ACLAM (single combined CBT, pass/fail)
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: Per ACLAM
- Exam fee: Per ACLAM
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
ACLAM Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What animals are excluded from the AWA?
AWA (Animal Welfare Act) excludes from coverage: rats of the genus Rattus and mice of the genus Mus that are bred for use in RESEARCH; birds; and farm animals used for agricultural research, food, or fiber. AWA still covers warm-blooded animals used in research/teaching/testing (rabbits, dogs, cats, NHPs, livestock used in NON-agricultural research). PHS Policy is broader — covers ALL VERTEBRATE animals if the activity is PHS-funded (rats, mice, birds, fish included).
What are USDA pain/distress categories B-E?
USDA APHIS uses categories on the annual report (Form 7023): Category B — animals BRED for research not yet used in studies; Category C — used in procedures involving NO PAIN/DISTRESS or only momentary pain; Category D — pain/distress relieved by anesthesia, analgesia, or tranquilizers; Category E — pain/distress NOT relieved (e.g., pain study endpoints). Category E receives the most regulatory scrutiny and requires specific scientific justification.
How many members are required on an IACUC?
PHS Policy requires minimum 5 members: a chair, a veterinarian (with training/experience in lab animal science), a scientist with experience in research involving animals, a non-scientist member, and a member NOT affiliated with the institution other than as IACUC member. AWA requires minimum 3 (chair, veterinarian, non-affiliated). Most institutions follow PHS minimums to maintain dual compliance. Quorum required for protocol approval.
How should I study for ACLAM?
Plan 1,000+ hours over residency. Master the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (8th edition 2011) cover-to-cover — primary reference. Use Fox, Anderson, Loew & Quimby Laboratory Animal Medicine (3rd ed) and Suckow Laboratory Mouse/Rat. Attend AALAS National Meeting; complete LAREF and ARENA/OLAW IACUC courses. Case logs from residency (or alternate pathway) are application requirements.