Alternative Pathways to the Certificate of Qualification (CQ) for Graduates From Non-CMVA/AVMA Accredited Programs

After evaluating the variable needs of NEB candidates who have graduated from non CVMA/AVMA accredited veterinary schools, provincial licensing bodies and the NEB had agreed to establish the following alternative pathways to the CQ, which took effect on April 1st, 2020.

A Certificate of Qualification from the NEB provides eligibility for application for licensure with any or all provincial licensing bodies. However, the establishment of requirements and granting of a license are under the sole authority of the individual provincial licensing body.

Currently Available Pathways

As a reminder, the currently available pathways will remain unchanged and consist of:

The Regular NEB Process

  • Registration with NEB
  • NEB Credential assessment
  • BCSE
  • NAVLE
  • PSA/CPE

ECFVG Transfer to NEB

  • Registration with NEB
  • NEB Credential assessment
  • BCSE score transfer from ECFVG
  • CPE score transfer from ECFVG
  • NAVLE score transfer through AAVSB or completion of the exam through NEB

New Pathways

The new pathways consist of:

NEB + PAVE Option*

  • Registration with NEB
  • NEB Credential assessment
  • Successful completion of the PAVE through AAVSB (QSE + Evaluated Clinical Experience)
  • NAVLE (if not passed within three attempts the PSA/CPE must also be completed)

*only applicants that have successfully passed the QSE since September 2014 are eligible for this pathway. For candidates that completed the PAVE before 2014 please contact us.

NEB + Clinical Year Option**

  • Registration with NEB
  • NEB Credential assessment
  • BCSE
  • successful completion of the final (clinical year) in a CVMA/AVMA accredited program
  • NAVLE (if not passed within three attempts the PSA/CPE must also be completed)

**only applicants that have successfully passed the BCSE are eligible for the final (clinical year) in a CVMA/AVMA accredited program

For more information about the PAVE, please visit https://www.aavsb.org/PAVE/.

For the NEB + Clinical year option, potential candidates must make their own arrangements for the clinical year with one of the CVMA/AVMA-accredited veterinary schools.

The list of CVMA/AVMA-accredited programs is available at https://www.avma.org/education/accredited-veterinary-colleges.

The pathways are not interchangeable, and if a candidate wishes to proceed with the regular NEB pathway, they will need to take all required examinations.