Code of Conduct for Candidates

The purpose of the NEB Code of Conduct for Candidates is to require NEB candidates to adhere to the high standards of conduct, practice, and qualifications of the veterinary profession, therefore supporting the veterinary profession in fulfilling its responsibility to the public. It is assumed that every candidate taking NEB examinations is doing so for legitimate purposes: to become a registered veterinarian in Canada. A breach or any violation of this Code may lead to disciplinary action including and/or up to disqualification from the NEB process. This Code is iterative and will be strengthened over time.

General Standard of Behaviour

Candidates who are enrolled in the NEB process are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner. They must hold themselves to the highest levels of ethical behaviour when taking NEB examinations and interacting with NEB staff and exam site staff. This includes behaviours in all of their contact with NEB staff throughout the entire NEB process, in all their contact with exam site staff and examiners before, during, and after the exam, and in all their contact with other NEB candidates. The Code applies equally to behaviour of candidates when publishing or posting comments about the NEB, including on websites and social media.

Candidates can obtain a copy of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association’s Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics here.

Interacting with NEB Staff and Exam Site Personnel

Candidates are expected at all times to treat those administering the NEB process and those administering the examination with respect. NEB staff, exam invigilators and staff, and examiners and Registered Veterinary Technologists and Technicians involved in an exam have the right to conduct their work without fear of abuse or harassment. Physical, verbal, or written abuse, or threat of such abuse, will be regarded as a form of misconduct, and will be investigated by the NEB committee members. Examples include but are not limited to language (whether verbal or written) that may cause an individual to feel afraid, threatened or abused; threats; personal verbal abuse, derogatory remarks; and rudeness. Inflammatory statements, remarks of a racial or discriminatory nature, and unsubstantiated allegations are also considered abusive behaviour.

Interacting with Other Candidates during the Examination

The exam sites and centres strive to ensure that the exam experience is as calm and pleasant as possible for all those concerned. Candidates are therefore expected to act with respect towards fellow candidates before, during, and after the exam. Candidates are also expected to ensure that their behaviour is not disruptive and does not affect other candidates attempting the exam at the same time.

Prior to Examination

Candidates must not access exam content or request it from other candidates who took the exam prior to their own exam.

Do not contact or communicate with examiners/exam staff prior to the exam.

During the Examination

• Candidates are under exam conditions at all times when in the secure exam area.
• Candidates must not communicate with other candidates verbally in any language or non-verbally while in the exam area under exam conditions.
• Required visits to the washroom must be under supervision by exam centre staff.
• Candidates must not provide falsified identification documents, or exchange identification documents with other candidates.
• Candidates must not have an electronic device or other prohibited items in the exam.
• Candidates must not share exam content in any way either verbally in any language or non-verbally.
• Candidates are required to comply with the exam time allotments.
• Candidates are not permitted to smoke or vape anytime while in the exam site/centre building.

After the Examination

Candidates must continue to maintain exam confidentiality at all times after the exam and must not discuss exam content with anyone, including other candidates.

Do not contact or communicate with examiners/exam staff after the exam.

Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

• Any attempt to copy or remove exam materials or exam content.
• The use of recording equipment.
• Any attempt to release exam content to a third party.
• Any attempt to communicate with another candidate under exam conditions.
• Any attempt to gain or pass on information about the exam content before, during, or after the exam.
• Belonging to a group or forum where the content of an exam is shared.
• Impersonation or soliciting impersonation of a candidate.
• Bribery of another candidate, exam centre staff, or examiner.
• Falsification of any results documents, exam registration documents, or documents used for credential assessment.
• Providing any exam materials to a commercial organization or any online forum/group running exam preparation courses.
• Any other form of cheating or misconduct that is likely or intended to lead to an unfair advantage.

Reporting

Any concerns about misconduct, dishonesty, or copyright infringement, should be brought to the attention of the NEB as soon as it is practicable and sufficient evidence to allow a viable investigation. Although the NEB can protect the anonymity of a person reporting a breach of the code of conduct, the NEB may not be able to act upon anonymous reports or those that do not provide credible and sufficient evidence.

The individual reporting the infraction to the NEB should succinctly describe what the candidate did or failed to do that might be a violation of the NEB Code of Conduct for Candidates. When possible, supporting documentation should be sent to the NEB to document the conduct in question. The person who is reporting a violation does not have to be a NEB candidate.

Review of Candidate Conduct and Disciplinary Actions

The NEB may initiate a review of a candidate’s conduct at any time at its sole discretion. The NEB then reviews available information and determines whether there is evidence that a violation occurred. If the NEB determines that a violation has occurred, appropriate remedial or disciplinary action will be taken. Such action will be communicated in writing to the candidate.

Actions may include:

• Warning: the NEB issues a warning to the candidate reminding him/her of the importance of strict adherence to the NEB Code of Conduct for Candidates and advising him/her of the possibility of disciplinary action for future violations of the Code.
• Ban: the NEB bans the candidate from taking any NEB exam for a specified period of time, up to a lifetime ban.
• Reporting: the NEB may report the violation to the relevant regulator.
• Score release: the NEB may suspend releasing a candidate’s exam score.
• Other measures the NEB believes will appropriately address the violation.

Contesting Disciplinary Action

A candidate may appeal the NEB’s determination that he/she violated the Code, excluding warnings. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the NEB within 30 business days of the date on which the candidate received notice of the violation from the NEB. Appeals must include a statement of the factual basis of the appeal and any other materials in support of the candidate’s position.

Sharing Information with Exam Partners and Canadian Provincial Licensing Boards

The NEB may disclose the results of a candidate’s review and any resulting remedial or disciplinary actions to any other bona fide organizations having a legitimate interest, which may result in disciplinary action by such organizations. The NEB may, at its discretion, provide to such organizations its disciplinary files, or portions of such files, if requested by such other organizations in connection with the application of disciplinary actions by such organizations, or the appeal of such actions by an affected candidate.