North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE®)

Overview

This bulletin contains procedural and policy information for the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE®), which you should read in full. Please note that while every attempt has been made to provide accurate and definite information, the International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA) and the NEB may need to change or revise policies and procedures that affect the NAVLE program. Changes will be published in this NEB Candidate information guide and will also be posted on the ICVA website (www.icva.net) as soon as they are determined. You should check this web site for the most current information about ICVA policies and procedures.

All test questions used in the NAVLE are owned solely by the ICVA and are copyrighted. Any reproduction by any means or distribution of NAVLE questions without the express written authorization of the ICVA and the NBME is prohibited. The ICVA reserves the right to pursue their rights and remedies to the fullest extent permitted by law without further notice to you, including taking legal action.

Registration Process

Application procedures for all eligible candidates are available on the NEB Candidate Portal.

Graduates and Final Year Students of Canadian Veterinary Colleges

• An applicant who is a graduate or final year student of a Canadian college of veterinary medicine may register to take the NAVLE by completing the steps listed here: Canadian Veterinary College Candidates Registration
• Future graduates should note that the NEB must receive proof of graduation before a CQ will be granted.

Graduates and Final Year Students of International-Accredited and International Non-Accredited Schools

• International-accredited school candidates who have received approval of their NEB application can access the online registration form for the NAVLE once the registration window opens.
• International non-accredited school candidates who have been granted eligibility to register for the examination (i.e. have passed the BCSE) can access the online NAVLE registration form once the NAVLE registration window opens.

Information on the NAVLE Registration Window is found here: NAVLE Examination Dates and Registration Deadlines

A final year student must be within ten months of their expected graduation date by the end of the testing window. The applicant may register for the NAVLE by submitting:

• The completed application form in the NEB Candidate Portal
• The appropriate registration documentation according to their candidate type:
  • Document Checklist: Graduates - International-Accredited / International Non-Accredited
  • Document Checklist: Future Graduates - International-Accredited / International Non-Accredited
• The appropriate examination fee:  Schedule of Fees

NAVLE Examination Dates and Registration Deadlines

The NAVLE will be administered during the following testing windows: Cycle

Please check our Latest News and Updates for when the upcoming NAVLE session registration will open on the NEB Portal.

Be aware that all candidates (students of the five Canadian veterinary schools excluded) who register for the NAVLE must apply to the NEB first (see NEB application process). The initial application with the NEB must be approved before a candidate can proceed to register for the NAVLE through the NEB (Canadian veterinary school candidates excluded). While NEB staff do their best to review applications right up to the deadline, initial NEB applications received less than 10 business days from the NAVLE registration deadline are not guaranteed to be approved in time to register for the NAVLE.

Reporting of Scores to the NEB

Examination results are automatically sent to the NEB, with both a pass/fail designation and a scaled score being given for the NAVLE (see Scoring and Score Reports section). Each candidate’s pass/fail designation will be accessible by the provincial licensing bodies through the NEB Candidate Verification System in the NEB Candidate Portal.

The NEB also participates in the Veterinary Information Verification Agency (VIVA) of the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). VIVA is the only official method to transfer scores between Canada and the USA. Candidates wishing to have scores transferred from the United States to Canada must do so through the VIVA, which will send the results to the NEB-CVMA. The NEB-CVMA will make the scores accessible to provincial veterinary licensing bodies through the NEB Candidate Verification System in the NEB Candidate Portal. Scores may not be sent directly from the USA to provincial licensing bodies.

Candidates wishing to have NAVLE scores transferred from Canada to the United States must contact the AAVSB-VIVA, indicating which state licensing board is to receive the scores:

American Association of Veterinary State Boards
(Veterinary Information Verification Agency)
3100 Main Street, Suite 208, Kansas City, Missouri 64111
Tel: (816) 931-1504 or 1-877-698-8482
Website: www.aavsb.org

General NAVLE Information

The NAVLE is a requirement for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in all licensing jurisdictions in the US and Canada and is developed by the International Council for Veterinary Assessment® (ICVA®) and the National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®). The ICVA supports veterinary licensing authorities through its leadership in the development, delivery, and continual improvement of high-quality assessments across the continuum of veterinarians’ preparation for practice.

Primary Objectives of the NAVLE

The primary objectives of the NAVLE are as follows:

• To provide a comprehensive objective examination to state, provincial or territorial boards charged with the licensing of veterinarians
• To protect the public by ensuring that veterinarians demonstrate a specified level of knowledge and skills before entering veterinary practice
• To assess the professional competency of veterinarians in terms of their qualifications to enter private clinical practice
• To provide a common standard in the evaluation of candidates that will be comparable from jurisdiction to jurisdiction
• To contribute to the veterinary profession through development of improved definitions of the relationship between knowledge and professional practice
• To facilitate interstate/inter-provincial licensing reciprocity for practicing veterinarians

Computer Based Testing (CBT)

The NAVLE is administered on computer. CBT offers enhanced security measures for the examination process. Security of the test materials is ensured by the encryption of data prior to transmission to the test centers. Audio and video monitoring in the test centers enhances the proctoring of the examination, and digital cameras are used to identify NAVLE candidates.

Description of the Examination

The NAVLE is designed to assess your knowledge of veterinary medicine as it relates to entry-level private clinical practice. The examination covers all animal species commonly seen by private practitioners in North America.

The NAVLE consists of an optional 15-minute tutorial and 360 multiple-choice questions administered in six blocks of 60 questions each. Approximately 15%-20% of the NAVLE questions will include graphic or pictorial (such as a photograph or radiograph). Pictorial information will be displayed in a viewer window that provides zoom, contrast adjustment, and panning capabilities.

An on-screen calculator will be available for use during your examination.

Sixty of the 360 questions will be used as pretest questions and will not be included in scoring. Pretest questions will occur randomly throughout your examination. You will not be able to distinguish between the scored and pretest items.

You will have 65 minutes to complete each block, for a total of 390 minutes (or six and one-half hours) of total examination time. Within each block, you may answer questions in any order and review and/or change your answers. When you exit a block, or when time expires, no further review of questions or changing of answers within that block is possible.

You will have 45 minutes of total break time which may be used to make the transition between blocks and for breaks. Breaks are not fixed - you will have the personal flexibility to use this time to suit your needs. Breaks may only be taken between blocks of questions.

NAVLE Application and Approval Process

All candidates in Canada must apply for the NAVLE through the NEB. Candidates from internationally accredited schools and international non-accredited schools must first apply and be approved through the NEB before they can register for the NAVLE. The NAVLE registration is available on the NEB Candidate Portal during the registration windows. Please see Latest News & Updates about when the registration window will open for the next NAVLE session. The deadline for submitting the NAVLE registration form is in the section of this page called NAVLE Examination Dates and Registration Deadlines.

Assistance for Candidates

Information is available on the NAVLE application process is available on this page and our Frequently Asked Questions. If you cannot find the information you need, you can contact our office for further assistance at neb-bne@cvma-acmv.org. It is better to ask for assistance than to assume that everything is fine, only to discover too late that you are unable to take the NAVLE because of problems with your application, or your Scheduling and Admission Permit.

To reduce the potential for misunderstandings and to ensure the privacy of candidate information, the NEB and ICVA offices will correspond only with the candidate regarding NAVLE application, request for test accommodations, fee payment, registration, and score reporting questions, unless the candidate specifically authorizes the NEB or ICVA, in writing, to correspond with a third party. The NEB and ICVA may, however, correspond with the appropriate licensing body and/or veterinary school official regarding a candidate’s status in the NAVLE program.

Eligibility Requirements

The NAVLE is administered only to bona fide candidates for licensure to practice veterinary medicine.

In Canada and most US states, if you have not graduated from veterinary school at the time of application, you must have an expected graduation date no later than ten (10) months from the last date of the applicable testing window. If your eligibility status changes after you are approved to take the examination, you must notify the NEB. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of your NAVLE score results.

If you are a candidate who is repeating the NAVLE, please refer to the Assessment Procedures and Repeat of Failed Parts.

Candidates Requesting Exam Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations are made to afford candidates with disabilities an opportunity, equal to that of non-disabled candidates, to demonstrate the required knowledge and skills tested by the NAVLE. A request for accommodations to take the NAVLE must accompany the NAVLE registration and must provide the NEB with sufficient time (by the end of the NAVLE deadline) to review the accommodation request.

The NEB’s accommodation procedures can be found on this website under Exam Accommodations. Further questions about Exam Accommodations should be directed to NEB staff via the NEB Candidate Portal or by email at neb-bne@cvma-acmv.org.

Personal Items Exceptions

Unauthorized possession of personal items while you are in the secure areas of the testing center is prohibited. However, in certain limited circumstances, exceptions to this policy may be made for medical reasons, provided that permission is granted in advance of the test day. To request approval to bring personal items into the secure areas of the testing center for medical reasons, please submit a written request and documentation to the NEB at the time of your NAVLE application. If the medical issue develops after you have submitted your application, please contact NEB immediately.

Some appliances and devices required for chronic or acute medical situations are already pre-approved for test candidates to use while in the Prometric Testing Centers, including but not limited to service animals, insulin pumps, inhalers, canes, crutches, slings, casts, wheelchairs, TENS units, and eyeglasses. These pre-approved items may be brought to the testing center without receiving prior approval from the NEB. If you are unsure whether you should request an exception or not, please contact neb-bne@cvma-acmv.org. All personal items brought to the examination, either with prior approval from the NEB / ICVA or without pre-approval, are subject to inspection at the test center. If you bring a non-approved item to your examination, you may not be permitted to test, you may be required to relinquish the item, and/or you may be investigated for irregular behavior.

Candidates are not required to obtain advance permission to consume food or take medication on authorized breaks.

NAVLE Registration Process in Canada

If you are applying to take the NAVLE in order to obtain a license to practice veterinary medicine in Canada, you must contact the National Examining Board (NEB) directly and follow its NAVLE registration procedures and requirements. NAVLE registration and fee payment must be made directly to the NEB (not to the ICVA) by their application deadline date. Provincial licensing board contact information can be found here.

The NEB will forward a list of approved candidates to the ICVA office.

Payment of the NAVLE Fee

The NAVLE fee charged by the NEB is found in the Schedule of Fees. Candidates must pay through the online payment system at the time of registration through the NEB Candidate Portal. You will not be permitted to take the NAVLE unless the examination fee has been paid.

The NAVLE fee is non-refundable and nontransferable. Please review our Examination Withdrawal Policy for more information.

Change of Name or Contact Information

You must notify the NEB and the ICVA of any name, e-mail address, or telephone number changes. Notification of a name change must be accompanied by an attested photocopy of a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court judgment from a name change petition. Candidates should verify their information is correct BEFORE they submit their application. Any changes after submission are subject to a change fee. For additional information on ID and name requirements, refer to the Security Procedures (ADD IN-PAGE LINK).

Retake Policy

Candidates will be permitted to take the NAVLE up to 5 (five) times, including incomplete attempts. An incomplete attempt is any attempt where the candidate initiates the NAVLE and responds to questions without completing the exam.

Candidates may appeal to the ICVA Board of Directors for approval to take the NAVLE more than 5 (five) times.

This NAVLE retake policy takes effect with the November - December 2024 administration. All attempts made prior to this administration are counted toward the 5-attempt limit.

The ICVA reserves the right to notify licensing boards of all previous attempts by a candidate in any jurisdiction. This notification will not include score information.

Candidates requiring further details about the policy regarding NAVLE attempts should review this link: https://www.icva.net/faqs/ and/or contact the NEB and ICVA.

Scheduling

You will receive an e-mail notifying you that your scheduling permit is available. It takes some time for this permit to be issued after you have completed your registration through the NEB Portal.

You can visit the Prometric website to schedule your test date: Click Here to Schedule Your NAVLE Appointment

Scheduling permits will be available by late September for the November-December testing window and late February for the April testing window. You contact Prometric one week prior to your scheduled testing appointment for confirmation.

Prometric Test Centres for Computer-Based Testing

The NAVLE is administered in Prometric Test Centers (PTCs). Prometric provides CBT services for professional licensure, academic assessment, certification and for various other professional and academic needs. Prometric administers testing programs for educational institutions, corporations, professional associations, and other organizations.

All PTCs are set up similarly. This not only helps enhance security, but also provides the same standards of comfort and uniformity for all candidates.

The NAVLE is administered in 13 international testing regions, as listed on the NAVLE application. Locations of PTCs available for the NAVLE can be found on the Prometric website. There is an additional fee (see Schedule of Fees) for testing outside of North America. 

Prometric test center locations are subject to change, and there is no guarantee that a center listed on the Prometric website at the time of application will be available for a future NAVLE administration. In the event a Prometric testing center closes, affected candidates will be advised on making alternate testing arrangements at another site.

Scheduling and Admission Permits

A Scheduling and Admission Permit with instructions for making an appointment at a Prometric Test Center will be issued to you after you are deemed eligible to apply for the NAVLE by the NEB, have completed your application, have paid the NAVLE fees, and have been processed by the NBME.

The permit specifies the eligibility period during which you must complete the examination. You will receive an e-mail with instructions to create a mynbme account for accessing your permit no later than late September for the November-December testing window and late February for the April testing window. Please create an account as soon as you receive the email. Please review your Scheduling and Admission Permit upon receipt to ensure that the name listed on the permit is correct and that it matches the government-issued identification that you plan to provide on test day. Please notify the NEB immediately if the name listed on your scheduling permit is not correct.

Scheduling a Test Date

You must have your Scheduling and Admission Permit before contacting Prometric to schedule your testing appointment. Your Scheduling and Admission Permit will contain a Scheduling Number. This is the number that you will use when you schedule your testing appointment.

The testing windows are November 4 - December 21, 2024, and April 1 - 26, 2025. To obtain your preferred test center and date, schedule an appointment using Prometric’s online ProScheduler application as soon as possible after accessing your Scheduling and Admission Permit. If you delay scheduling an appointment, you may not receive the location or test date you want. Try not to schedule on or near the last day of your eligibility period. If something unexpected happens you will need the extra time remaining in the testing window to reschedule. Please note that PTCs are closed on major holidays and some centers are open on weekend days.

If you do not take the examination during the testing window for which you were approved, but wish to take it in the future, you must reapply and pay the fees again. A new Scheduling and Admission Permit is issued to approved candidates for each testing window. 

When scheduling, Prometric will issue you a Prometric Confirmation Number. Please note that your Confirmation Number is not the same as your Candidate Identification Number (CIN). You will need this number to confirm, reschedule, and/or cancel your testing appointment with Prometric. The NEB does not have access to your Prometric Confirmation Number.

Changing Testing Appointment or Location

If you are unable to keep a testing appointment on your scheduled date or at your scheduled location, you must change your date or location within that testing window and within your chosen testing region using the Prometric contact information on your Scheduling and Admission Permit, or online on the ProScheduler application. You will need to provide your Prometric Confirmation Number (issued to you by Prometric when you made your original appointment) when you reschedule. A request to reschedule an appointment must be made at least two business days before your testing appointment. When contacting Prometric by telephone, you must speak with a representative. Leaving a voice mail message does not satisfy the requirement to provide advance notice.

To avoid a Prometric rescheduling fee, you must reschedule your appointment at least two business days before your appointment. If you need to reschedule your appointment or change your test center location within two calendar days of your appointment, you must pay a rescheduling fee to Prometric. If you cancel your appointment within two calendar days or do not test as scheduled, before you can schedule a new appointment, you must call Prometric Candidate Cares at the number listed in the second paragraph of your permit and pay to reinstate your eligibility record. Having your eligibility reset does not guarantee an opening will be available within the testing window. Rescheduling fees are non-refundable.

If you need to change your testing region after your application has been submitted, please contact the NEB at neb-bne@cvma-acmv.org. You will be required to pay a testing region change fee of $100 USD to make any testing region change. Individuals wishing to change their testing region from the US/Canada to any of the international testing regions will be assessed an international testing fee in addition to the $100 USD testing region change fee. All testing region changes must be made at least 10 business days prior to the start of the testing window.

You will receive a new Scheduling and Admission Permit containing a new scheduling number.

Any existing appointment will automatically be cancelled, and it will be your responsibility to schedule a new appointment.

Preparing for the NAVLE

Test Question Format

The NAVLE includes only single questions with one best answer. They consist of a statement or question followed, in most cases, by five options arranged in alphabetical or logical order (a few items may have four or six options). The response options for all questions are lettered (e.g., A, B, C, D, E). Examinees are required to select the best answer to the question. Other options may be partially correct, but there is only ONE BEST answer.

Sample Questions

Sixty sample test questions and an answer key are available on the ICVA website at: https://www.icva.net/navle/sample-questions-navle/.

Practice Examination and Tutorial

The ICVA website has a practice examination with 20 additional sample items, formatted as a practice test with the same tutorial and general software interface used by Prometric to deliver the NAVLE. This software includes, among other features, clickable icons for marking questions to be reviewed, automated review of marked and incomplete questions, and a timer panel indicating the time remaining in the test. The tutorial does not include the calculator function available on the NAVLE. You will also be able to practice using the zoom, contrast adjustment, and panning capabilities for pictorial information. Although the software is simple and intuitive, it is highly recommended that you practice before your test date, because practice at the test center will be limited to a 15-minute tutorial.

Self Assessments

NAVLE Self-Assessments are available for purchase through the ICVA website. There are two types of NAVLE Self-Assessments available: Regular and Expanded Feedback. Expanded Feedback is offered for Form 2 for an additional fee of $15 USD to receive the correct answers to questions that are answered incorrectly. The fees are $50 USD (regular) and $65 USD (expanded feedback) and the fee is non-refundable. Each type of assessment contains 200 items. English versions and French versions are offered, and a score report is available immediately after completion of a self-assessment. There is only one version of each exam form. The score report shows the performance on the total assessment, and for each of the main topic areas. It indicates the performance of a comparison group of candidates on the same items, and it includes a projected NAVLE score range based on the participant’s performance on the assessment. Answers to individual questions are not provided except for on Form 2 (Expanded Feedback - for an additional fee). See the NAVLE Self-Assessments page on the ICVA website for more information.

Note: if the payment method selected by you results in a dishonor or a later dispute as to the validity of the payment for any NAVLE services, your NAVLE eligibility may be suspended for the current or for any subsequent testing window until the issue is resolved, your scores may be withheld, and any scores that have been reported may be rescinded pending resolution of the dishonor or dispute and the payment of additional fees by you arising from such dishonor or fraud dispute.

Security

Testing Conditions

Policies and procedures governing administration of the examination have been established to ensure that no candidate or group of candidates receives unfair advantage on the examination, inadvertently or otherwise.

Efforts are made to ensure that the examination is administered under standard conditions and is consistent with the principles on which the examination is developed and scored. However, if the integrity of the examination process appears to have been jeopardized, the ICVA reserves the right to invalidate all or any part of an examination or to withhold scores even if it cannot prove that you personally engaged in irregular behavior or that you benefited from the irregular behavior of others.

Physical security of examination materials will be controlled through computerized, electronic transmission of encrypted data. Observation of the testing sessions will be aided by use of audio and video monitors and recording and other equipment available at test centers. All testing sessions for the NAVLE are monitored by staff at the test center.

Candidates observed engaging in possible violation of test administration rules or other forms of irregular behavior during an examination will not necessarily be told of the observation by test center staff at the time of the examination. You may not bring any personal belongings into the testing room, including, but not limited to mechanical or electronic devices, outerwear, brimmed hats, book bags, backpacks, purses, books, notes, study materials, calculators, watches, recording or filming devices, radios, electronic paging devices, cellular telephones, food, or beverages (other than water in a clear or transparent container with a lid or cap). If you bring any personal belongings to the test center, you must store them in a designated locker outside the testing area. Upon reasonable suspicion, such personal belongings and their contents may be inspected. If you have any doubt whether an item may be brought into the testing room, it is your obligation to obtain express permission from staff at the test center before you begin your examination.

Any materials that reasonably appear to be reproductions of any NAVLE materials will be confiscated. Making notes of any kind during an examination, except on the materials provided by the test center for this purpose, is not permitted.

Candidates are not permitted to communicate with, seek aid from, or provide aid to any other candidate during the examination.

There may be test takers from other professions taking examinations during your test administration. Their examination formats and schedules will differ from your schedule. There may be low levels of background activity audible as they arrive, take their examinations, and depart. Candidates are allowed to bring cordless soft-foam earplugs into the testing room. However, they must be out of the packaging and ready for inspection by test center staff during check-in. Earplugs must be left at the workstation during all breaks.

Rules of Conduct

NAVLE candidates must agree to the following Rules of Conduct:

1. You are the person named on the Scheduling  Permit for the examination.
2. You will not give, receive, or obtain any form of unauthorized assistance during the examination or breaks.
3. You will not have prohibited materials, including formulas, study materials, notes, papers, or electronic devices of any kind in your possession while you are in the secure areas of the center.
4. You will place in a locker or cubicle all personal belongings, including cell phones, watches, pagers, tablet PCs, iPods/media players, fitness and tracking monitors, any device with transmitting or receiving capabilities (e.g., Bluetooth), formulas, study materials, notes, papers, pens/pencils, and your purse and/or wallet, before entering the testing room.
5. You will not leave your testing station for breaks unless the break screen is visible on your monitor. It is a violation of the Rules of Conduct if you indicate on the center log that your break screen is visible when it is not.
6. You may use a telephone or other communication device only when outside the secure testing area and during an authorized break. You may not use a device for any purpose related to the test content.
7. You will not remove materials in any form (written, printed, recorded, or any other type) from the testing center.
8. All examination materials remain the property of the ICVA, and you will maintain confidentiality of the materials. You will not reproduce or attempt to reproduce examination materials through memorization or any other means. Also, you will not provide information relating to examination content that may give or attempt to give unfair advantage to individuals who may be taking the examination. This includes postings regarding examination content and/or answers on the internet.

If you violate these Rules of Conduct, you may be directed to leave the testing center before you complete the examination. Also, evidence of violation of any test administration rule, including these Rules of Conduct, will result in actions being taken under ICVA policies and procedures on irregular behavior. If you are found to have engaged in irregular behavior, your score report and transcripts will include this finding, and you may be barred from taking the NAVLE in the future. See the NAVLE Candidate Bulletin for further information on irregular behavior.

Irregular Behaviour

All NAVLE candidates must agree with the following statement before they will be able to take the examination: “This examination contains test materials that are owned and copyrighted by the International Council for Veterinary Assessment® (ICVA®), or jointly by the ICVA and the National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®). Any reproduction of these materials or any part of them, through any means, including, but not limited to copying or printing of electronic files, reconstruction through memorization and/or dictation, and/or dissemination of these materials or any part of them is strictly prohibited.”

Irregular behavior is defined as any behavior that undermines the application, assessment, or certification processes of the ICVA or that threatens the integrity of the NAVLE certification process. Anyone having information or evidence that suspected irregular behavior has occurred should submit a written, signed statement to security@icva.net providing a detailed description of the incident and/or circumstances and copies of any supporting documentation and evidence. Insofar as possible, such reports will be handled confidentially. Irregular behavior may occur prior to, during, and/or following examination application and administration.

Specific examples of conduct that may be deemed to be irregular behavior include, but are not limited to, the following:

• seeking, providing, and/or obtaining unauthorized access to examination materials.
• providing false information or making false statements on or in connection with application forms, scheduling permits, or other NAVLE-related documents.
• taking or attempting to take an examination for which you are not eligible.
• taking an examination for someone or engaging someone to take an examination for you.
• seeking, providing, or obtaining unauthorized assistance during the examination or attempting to do so.
• making notes of any kind while in the secure areas of the test center, except on the writing materials provided at the test center for this purpose.
• failing to adhere to any NAVLE policy, procedure, or rule, including instructions of the test center staff.
• verbal or physical harassment of test center staff or other examination staff, or other disruptive or unprofessional behavior during the registration, scheduling, or examination process.
• possessing any unauthorized materials, including, but not limited to, photographic equipment, communication or recording devices, fitness and tracking monitors, and cell phones, in the secure testing areas.
• altering or misrepresenting examination scores.
• unauthorized reproduction by any means, including, but not limited to, reconstruction through memorization and/or dissemination of copyrighted examination materials by any means.
• communicating or attempting to communicate about specific test items, cases, and/or answers with another examinee, potential examinee, or formal or informal test preparation group at any time before, during, or after an examination.
• failure to cooperate fully in any investigation of a violation of the NAVLE rule.

Any irregular behavior will be reported to the ICVA and will constitute grounds for the NAVLE program to:

• bar you from one or more future examinations or permanently; and/or
• invalidate the results of your examination and any prior examinations; and/or
• withhold your scores; and/or
• fine you in an amount that reflects damages suffered by the NAVLE program, including its costs of investigation and the costs of replacing any items that must be removed from the item bank; and/or
• censure you; and/or
• sue you for damages and civil remedies; and/or
• pursue prosecution of you for any conduct that constitutes a criminal or civil violation; and/or
• take any other appropriate action.

Candidates also understand and agree that the ICVA may withhold their scores and may require them to retake the examination if the NAVLE Program is presented with evidence demonstrating to the NAVLE Program, in its sole discretion, that the security of the examination has been compromised, notwithstanding the absence of any evidence of their personal involvement in the compromising activities. Candidates have an affirmative duty to cooperate in any investigation conducted by or on behalf of the NAVLE Program, including but not limited to providing written or oral statements to the NAVLE Program and providing copies of documents and items in their possession, custody, or control. This duty to cooperate exists whether the candidate is a specific target of the investigation or is merely a potential witness to the irregular conduct of others. Candidates further understand and agree that the examination and related materials utilized in the NAVLE are copyrighted and must not be removed from the test area or reproduced in any way, and that reproduction of copyrighted material, in whole or in part, is a federal offense and may subject them to the sanctions listed above.

Any irregular behavior or violation of the test administration rules may, in the sole discretion of the ICVA, be reported to the applicable board or boards of veterinary medicine, which could jeopardize your potential for licensure. In addition, if the NAVLE Program has reason to believe that a candidate may have engaged in irregular behavior, it may notify the applicable board or boards of veterinary medicine, even if the investigation is ongoing and no findings have been made.

If you have any questions or doubts about whether an activity might constitute irregular behavior, you should contact ICVA for clarification.

Examination Day

Check-In Procedures

You must arrive at the test center at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled test appointment. If you arrive after your appointment time, you may not be admitted. If you arrive more than 30 minutes after your scheduled testing appointment, you will not be admitted and must pay Prometric a fee to reschedule your test. Your rescheduled test date(s) must fall within your eligibility period.

After you present the required identification, you will sign a test center log, be photographed, and store your personal belongings in your assigned locker. You may be scanned with a handheld metal detector and asked to empty and turn your pockets inside out before entering the testing room to confirm that you have no prohibited items. You may be asked to repeat this process prior to every entry into the testing room after a break.

Security Procedures

When you arrive at the test center, you must present your scheduling and admission permit and the required identification as described on your scheduling and admission permit. Acceptable forms of unexpired identification include:

• Passport
• Driver’s license with photograph
• National Identity Card
• Other form of dated, unexpired, government-issued identification

Electronic versions of your ID are not acceptable.

Your name, as it appears on your scheduling and admission permit, must match the name on your form(s) of identification exactly. Your identification must contain both your signature and a recent photograph. If the name listed on your scheduling and admission is not correct, contact the ICVA immediately. Please review your Scheduling and Admission Permit for details and limited exceptions.

Name changes or corrections cannot be made within 7 business days of a scheduled testing date. If your government-issued identification form contains only a photograph, a second form of unexpired identification with your signature is required, such as a student ID or credit card.

Remember! If you do not bring your Scheduling and Admission Permit on paper or electronically (e.g., via smartphone) and acceptable identification, you WILL NOT be admitted to the test and will be required to pay Prometric a fee to reschedule your test. Your rescheduled test date(s) must fall within your eligibility period. Having your eligibility reset does not guarantee an opening will be available within the testing window.

Please note the following:

• You will be scanned with a handheld metal detector or a full body scanner.
• You will be asked to empty and turn your pockets inside out; you will be asked to repeat this process prior to every entry into the testing room after a break.
• You will be required to remove eyeglasses for visual inspection by the test center administrators. These inspections will take a few seconds and will be done at check-in and upon return from breaks.
• Jewelry, except for wedding and engagement rings, is prohibited.
• Hair accessories are subject to inspection. You should not wear ornate clips, combs, barrettes, headbands, and other hair accessories. Any examinee wearing any of these items may be prohibited from wearing them in the testing room and asked to store such items in their locker.

Before you enter the test room, test center staff will give you laminated writing surfaces (or scratch paper) and markers to use for making notes and/or calculations during the testing session. You will be instructed to write your name and CIN, as shown on your scheduling and admission permit, on one of the laminated writing surfaces provided.

They should be used only at your assigned testing station, and only after you have entered your Candidate Identification Number (CIN) to start your test session. If you have filled the laminated writing surfaces and need additional space for making notes, raise your hand to ask test center staff for a replacement. You must return laminated writing surfaces to test center staff at the end of the testing session. Do NOT write on anything other than the laminated writing surface (e.g., your hand, other body part, tissue, etc.). Failure to comply may result in a finding of irregular behavior.

Test center staff will escort you to your assigned testing station and provide brief instructions on use of the computer equipment. You must enter your CIN to start the examination. A brief tutorial is available before each examination.

There are no facilities available for family and friends to wait at the center while you test; plan to meet them elsewhere after the examination ends.

Break Time

Your test session is scheduled for a fixed amount of time and the computer keeps track of the time allocated for each block and for breaks. At the start of the testing session, you have a total of 45 minutes of break time for authorized breaks and for computer transitions between blocks. Authorized breaks include any time you spend between test blocks, whether you remain at your seat or leave the testing room. If you complete the tutorial or other testing blocks early, the remaining time will be added to your total break time.

Once you begin a testing block, no authorized breaks are provided during the block. During the blocks, the block and daytime clocks continue to run even if you leave the testing room (e.g., for a personal emergency). If you leave during the block, the test center will file a report of the incident. Additionally, the unauthorized break screen, described in the examination tutorial, will appear on the monitor after a defined period of inactivity. After the unauthorized break screen appears, you will need to enter your CIN to continue with the examination. Each time you leave the testing room, you are required to sign out and sign in when you return. You must present your identification each time you sign in.

If you take too much break time and exceed the allocated or accumulated break time, the excess will be deducted from your total testing time. Use the time summary feature (explained in the tutorial on test day) to keep track of your time.

Starting and Completing the Test

As noted in the NAVLE Tutorial, when you open a test block, each answerable item in the block will be proceeded by a black bullet on the navigation bar indicating that the item has not yet been answered, When you select an answer for an item, the black bullet will disappear. You may answer items using the mouse or keyboard. To use the mouse, point to the circle next to the desired response and click on the left mouse button. A black dot inside the circle indicates that the answer has been selected. To use the keyboard, press the letter that corresponds to the desired response on the keyboard.

The test session ends when you have started and exited all blocks, or the total test time expires. You will receive an end of session notice during checkout that you have appeared for the test. If your test is scheduled for multiple days, be sure to bring a copy of your Scheduling and Admission Permit with you each day or you may not be permitted to test.

After you start taking your examination, you cannot cancel or reschedule your examination. If you experience a computer issue during the test, notify test center staff immediately. The testing software is designed to restart the test at the point that it was interrupted.

In the rare event that a technical problem occurs that does not permit you to complete your examination, please email a written description of the incident to the ICVA. The ICVA must receive your notice within 10 business days of your testing date, or it may not be possible to investigate your concerns. Your correspondence should include your name, your ICVA ID number, date of administration, and a detailed description of the difficulty experienced. Please allow at least 15 business days for your report to be investigated and evaluated. You will receive written notification of the investigation results.

If you start the examination, but do not complete it for reasons other than a technical problem or expiration of time, you should promptly contact the ICVA (mail@icva.net) and the NEB (neb-bne@cvma-acmv.org) explaining, in detail, the reasons you decided not to finish the examination.

For more information on how to report a test administration problem, visit the ICVA website.

If you do not feel well on the day of your examination, we strongly encourage you to consider rescheduling your examination. You must pay Prometric a fee to reschedule your test. Your rescheduled test date(s) must fall within your eligibility period.

Every effort is made to administer an examination at the scheduled test time and location. On occasion, however, exam administrations may be delayed or cancelled in emergencies such as severe weather, a natural disaster that renders a Prometric Testing Center (PTC) inaccessible or unsafe, or extreme technical difficulties. If Prometric closes a testing center where you have already scheduled a testing appointment, it will reschedule the examination appointment at no additional charge.

In that event, Prometric will attempt to notify you in advance of your testing appointment to schedule a different time and/or center. Rescheduling an appointment for a different time or center may occur at the last minute due to limited availability of seats in a PTC. You are strongly advised to reconfirm your appointment with Prometric and maintain flexibility in any travel arrangements you may make.

Scoring and Score Reporting

Scoring, Analysis and Standard Setting

After all responses are recorded, analyses are conducted to review the statistical properties and performance for each test question. When such analysis and/or candidate comments indicate the need, specific questions are reviewed again by one or more test committee members to ensure that the answer key is correct. Any question that fails to perform acceptably may be deleted from both the current scoring key and from the test question pool. After any required changes have been made to the scoring key, examinations are then scored for all candidates. Test questions are not weighted, and additional points are not subtracted for incorrect responses.

The NAVLE is a criterion-referenced examination which means that candidates are measured against a standard that is set to determine the amount of knowledge required to competently practice veterinary medicine in the United States and Canada. This standard is determined by subject matter experts through a content-based standard setting exercise. If all candidates meet this standard, then all candidates will pass the NAVLE.

Equating methods are used to maintain the same passing standard across forms and from administration to administration, despite potential differences in ability levels of candidate groups and/or question difficulty across test forms and test administrations. Equating facilitates both comparisons of individual performance and comparisons of examinations from year to year.

The information that may be included on your score report is outlined in the table below.

The minimum passing score for the NAVLE is established by criterion-referenced (also known as content-based) methods. Using content-based standard setting means that an established level of proficiency in the content is required to pass. If all candidates meet this criterion (passing standard), then all candidates will pass; if only 50% meet the passing standard, then only 50% will pass.

Whether a candidate passes or fails is not influenced by the relative performance of others taking the examination. Equating methods are used to maintain the same passing standard from administration to administration, despite potential differences in ability levels of candidate groups and/or question difficulty across administrations. Calculating scores in this manner facilitates both comparisons of individual performance and comparisons of examinations from year to year. Your score report will be formatted to meet the specific requirements of the licensing board through which you were approved to take the NAVLE.

The information that may be included on your score report is outlined in the table below.

Score reports will show a pass or fail designation and a three-digit scaled score.

Scoring Process and Score Reports

As you take the NAVLE, your responses will be recorded and stored by the computer. After you complete testing, these responses are transmitted to the National Board of Medical Examiners for scoring. The NAVLE score report shows your score, a pass/fail designation, and a diagnostic report of your performance on the major content areas of the NAVLE. If you were approved by a licensing board, your score report will be made available to that board via a secure on-line portal at that time. Score reports for all NAVLE candidates will be made available via on-line portal at that time. You will receive an e-mail notifying you that your score report is available to access.

Examination Scores

Uniform and precise procedures ensure that the score reported for each candidate to the licensing board is an accurate reflection of the responses recorded by the computer. There are no re-scores or appeals of NAVLE scores once the score reports are released.

NAVLE candidates are not permitted to review their examinations.

School Score Reports by Candidate Consent

The NAVLE application includes a consent statement, authorizing the ICVA to report individual NAVLE scores, identified by name, to the candidate’s veterinary school. This consent is only for candidates who are senior students at AVMA - accredited veterinary schools. Scores for candidates who grant consent will be reported to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the candidate’s veterinary school (or their designee) shortly after the release of scores to the licensing boards. In addition, the school will receive a copy of the candidate’s score report. A candidate’s score report will not be made part of such candidate’s academic record. Schools will be required to keep the score reports confidential, and to use the information only for internal purposes at the veterinary school. Candidates are under no obligation to agree to the consent statement, and scores for candidates who do not grant consent will not be reported to their veterinary school. A candidate’s decision whether to release their score will not affect the candidate’s student status at the veterinary school. 

Consent for Canadian candidates will be collected by the National Examining Board of the CMVA as part of the NEB’s NAVLE registration.

Candidates may change their consent status by submitting a written request to the NEB by e-mail at any time up to the opening of the testing window.

Research

Examination data (including performance information) may be used by the NAVLE program or made available to third parties for research and other purposes that are disclosed to or authorized by you, as appropriate. In all instances, the data will be confidential, and individual examinees will not be identifiable in any publication. If you do not wish your examination data to be made available for such purposes, you can change by submitting a written request to the NEB by e-mail no later than the end of the testing window.

Grievances

If you believe that the administration of the examination or the examination conditions adversely affected your performance, for consideration, you must send a signed, written request to the ICVA for an investigation. Such requests must be received by the ICVA within 10 business days following your test date. Indicate the date and location of the administration and describe the event in as much detail as possible. In addition to notifying the ICVA, you need to file a complaint with Prometric staff.

NAVLE Score Transfers

Your initial NAVLE score will be reported to the NEB and to the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). This initial score reporting service is included in your examination fee. All subsequent requests for NAVLE score reports must be directed to the AAVSB. The ICVA and the NEB do not process score transfers. Through an agreement with the ICVA, the AAVSB maintains all national veterinary licensure examination results in a secure file at its national headquarters. NAVLE scores may be used by the ICVA for statistical purposes and may be released to third parties provided all candidate identification has been deleted prior to release.

AAVSB is responsible for transfers to additional licensing boards. Please make your request for additional transfers directly through AAVSB. The AAVSB website will provide the current fees for score transfer services. Your scores cannot be transferred until after they have been released and reported to the initial licensing board (if appropriate).

Development and Content

Examination Development

Test questions for the NAVLE are written by veterinarians representing all aspects of the profession, including academicians and private practitioners. NBME® reviews each newly written test question with a test development committee. Questions that seem problematic are revised or discarded. All accepted questions are then reviewed and validated by at least three experts in the field of veterinary medicine for accuracy, content relevance, importance, and difficulty. The NAVLE is prepared in a manner to meet the testing standards of the American Psychological Association.

Examination Content

The NAVLE is constructed according to the following examination blueprint, which was derived from the 2017 job analysis conducted by the ICVA. The resulting blueprint was approved in 2018. There are two dimensions to the blueprint: competencies and animal species.

Competencies are tasks that veterinarians perform in practice, and are grouped into four (4) main categories. Weights are assigned to each category and subcategory based on its relative importance in practice.

Animal species is the other dimension of the NAVLE blueprint. Weights are assigned based on the relative frequency and importance of the various animal species categories to the overall practice of veterinary medicine in the United States and Canada.

For additional information on the blueprint and the NAVLE job analysis, see the ICVA’s website.

NAVLE Specifications Based on Competencies

Provincial Licensing Bodies

In Canada, legislative authority to regulate the practice of professions and trades is a provincial responsibility.

In each province, a licensing body is established by statute. Licensing for veterinary medicine is the responsibility of the provincial veterinary association or a separate licensing body empowered by provincial legislation. While the general requirements to obtain a license to practice veterinary medicine are similar, specific requirements, including examination requirements, differ from province to province. Individuals intending to apply for a license must correspond directly with the registrar of the licensing body of the province in which they wish to practice, in order to determine the relevant requirements.

The addresses of the licensing bodies in each of the ten provinces can be found here.

Frequently Asked Questions

For further information on the NAVLE, the NEB examination process, or any other NEB required examinations, please review our FAQs page. Please also check the ICVA's website for further information on the NAVLE.