Irregular Behaviour

All candidates are specifically advised not to participate in any activity that could be construed as irregular behaviour. Irregular behaviour is conduct, in the NEB’s opinion, which attempts to or is intended to assist any candidate to obtain a passing score by fraudulent means.

Irregular behaviour includes, but is not limited to, taking into the examination room any books, notes or other materials which pertain in any way to veterinary medicine; attempting to observe or copy answers of any other candidate; assisting any other candidate to answer any question of any examination; or taking any notes from the examination room. Irregular behaviour also specifically includes refusal to return examination booklets, answer sheets, booklets of normative values, or any other materials distributed, after the time allocated for the exam has ended.

Candidates are not allowed to contact head examiners or examiners at exam sites at any time. Repeated attempts to communicate with the exam site directly can be considered harrassment and can lead to being excluded from future exams at a given site. All communications from candidates have to go through the NEB exclusively.

Candidates must abide by the policies and procedures of the NEB and not engage in any forms of irregular behaviour, as outlined in this guide and the CPE Manual of Administration. Failure to do so may be sufficient cause for the NEB to terminate one’s participation in the examinations, invalidate the results of one’s examinations, withhold or revoke one’s scores or certification, bar one’s participation in future examinations, or take other action as deemed appropriate by the NEB.

The NEB reserves the right, and the candidate specifically authorizes the NEB, to share information regarding irregular behaviour with the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (NBVME), the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) or their equivalents and all provincial and territorial veterinary licensing authorities. Any disciplinary decision of irregular behaviour imposed by one of the foregoing agencies will apply to the process of the NEB.

Incidents of alleged irregular behaviour are to be reported to the Registrar of the NEB, who will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to justify further review of the allegations. If the Registrar determines a candidate may be charged with irregular behaviour, a report will be submitted to a Preliminary Assessment Panel, composed of three (3) veterinarians, and the candidate will be notified in detail of the complaint against him/her. The candidate will have thirty (30) days to respond to the allegations, after which the Preliminary Assessment Panel will render a decision.

If a majority of the Preliminary Assessment Panel decides the allegations of irregular behaviour have not been substantiated, the complaint will be dismissed and no appeal will be allowed. If a majority of the Preliminary Assessment Panel decides that the allegations of irregular behaviour have been substantiated, they will make a finding of guilt and will determine the penalty as follows: the candidate will be prohibited from taking any part of the Examination for a minimum of one (1) year; the BCSE, CPE or NAVLE attempt in question will be recorded as a failure; and the licensing body of the province or state in which the candidate has indicated they wish to practice will be informed of the irregular behaviour decision.

If the candidate wishes to appeal the decision of the Preliminary Assessment Panel, a written Notice of Appeal must be sent to the Registrar of the NEB within thirty (30) days of the mailing date of the decision of the Preliminary Assessment Panel. This Notice must set forth the specific grounds for appeal, with brief and concise statements to support the validity of such grounds. The candidate must also deposit $2,000 CAD with the NEB. If the candidate is successful on the appeal, the deposit will be refunded in full. If a candidate is unsuccessful, s/he will be responsible for the full cost of the appeal.

The appeal will be heard by an Appeal Panel, composed of three (3) members of the NEB or persons designated by them. The candidate may appear at the hearing, present evidence and may be represented by legal counsel. All direct and personal costs of the candidate, including his/her legal fees, if any, are the responsibility of the candidate. Following the hearing, the Appeal Panel will either allow the appeal and reverse the decision of the Preliminary Assessment Panel or dismiss the appeal and uphold the finding of irregular behaviour. The decision of the Appeal Panel is final and no further appeal by any party will be permitted.

More information on the procedures to be followed regarding alleged irregular behaviour may be obtained by writing to the Registrar of the NEB.