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.

NEB Application 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 Certificate of Qualification (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 application 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 is available during three (3) annual testing windows and administered during specific testing dates:

2025 - 2026 NAVLE Testing Cycle

* These are the dates you will see the NAVLE registration available on your NEB Candidate Portal.

*All NAVLE registration materials, including exam accommodation requests, must be received by the registration deadline - no exceptions.

Be aware that all candidates 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. Taking the NAVLE with CBT offers standard testing environments with enhanced security through audio and video monitoring and data encryption. Prometric test center locations may be modified without notice.

If you are affected by closures, Prometric will advise on how to make alternate testing arrangements. Test center locations administering the NAVLE are available on the Prometric website.

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 total timing for the NAVLE is seven and a half (7.5) hours and consists of 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 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.

Candidates may take the NAVLE up to two (2) times prior to their graduation.

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 circumstances, exceptions to this policy may be granted for medical reasons. Permission for exceptions must be granted before the scheduled testing appointment and require approval from the NEB. If you need 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 registration. If the medical issue develops after you have submitted your registration, please contact the NEB immediately.

Important notes:

• If you are unsure whether to request an exception, please contact neb-bne@cvma-acmv.org 
• Candidates are not required to obtain advance permission to consume food or take medication on authorized breaks.
• 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 a possible irregular behavior violation.

Pre-Approved Items

When necessary, you can bring Pre-approved Items that do not require accommodations or approval from the NEB/ICVA to use while in the Prometric testing centers. The permissible items are typically required for chronic or acute medical situations and include standard items and medical devices, including but not limited to:

• Cough drops, EpiPens, Glucose tablets, Head coverings, Inhalers, Service animals, Wheelchairs, Oxygen tanks, TENS units, Hearing aid/Cochlear implants, Continuous Glucose Monitors, Insulin pumps

Prometric test center administrators will visually inspect your pre-approved item(s) without directly touching them or asking you to remove the item unless otherwise stated on the list of Pre-approved Items.

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.

Fraudulent Payments: Please note that if the payment method selected by you for any NAVLE services results in a dishonor or a later fraud dispute as to the validity of the payment for any NAVLE services, your NAVLE eligibility may be suspended, 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 by you of additional fees arising from such dishonor or fraud dispute. 

Change of Name or Contact Information

Before submitting the online NAVLE registration, review your name, email address, and telephone number to ensure accuracy. If any of these details require updating after submitting your application, you must notify the NEB immediately.

Retake Policy

Candidates can take the NAVLE up to five (5) times, including incomplete attempts (when a candidate initiates the NAVLE and responds to questions without completing the exam). The NAVLE retake policy provides candidates an opportunity to request a waiver from the Board of Directors for approval to take the NAVLE one (1) additional time.

The ICVA reserves the right to notify licensing boards of all previous attempts made by a candidate in any jurisdiction without including 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

Prometric Test Centres for Computer-Based Testing

Prometric is the authorized test delivery provider administering the NAVLE at their international testing centers via computer-based testing (CBT). Prometric is a global testing leader providing testing services for professional licensure, academic assessment, certification and various other professional and academic needs.

All Prometric test centres 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:

1. you submit your completed NAVLE registration

2. you satisfy all NAVLE fees

3. the NEB shares your NAVLE registration information with the ICVA, and

4. the registration has been processed by the NBME.

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

Thoroughly review your Scheduling and Admission Permit to ensure your name as listed on the permit is correct and matches the government-issued identification that you plan to use on test day.

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.

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.

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 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 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

NAVLE Sample Questions and answer key provide question examples like those that appear in the NAVLE. The questions were chosen to represent the various species and content areas of the NAVLE, but do not address all areas defined in the exam blueprint.

This is available on the ICVA website at: https://www.icva.net/navle/sample-questions-navle/.

Practice Examination and Tutorial

The ICVA website has resources for you as well as a practice examination called the NAVLE Tutorial.

It is recommended that you to complete the complimentary computer-based NAVLE Tutorial before taking the exam at a Prometric testing center.

The tutorial:

• includes 20 sample questions,
• is offered in English and French, and
• provides an opportunity for you to familiarize yourself with the software interface and functions.

Self Assessments

The ICVA offers web-based NAVLE Self-Assessments (following the exam blueprint) to help you identify relative strengths and weaknesses while familiarizing yourself with the test's content and format as you prepare for the NAVLE.

NAVLE Self-Assessments are available for purchase through the ICVA website.

The NAVLE Self-Assessment is offered in regular and expanded feedback formats through multiple forms and in English or French.

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

Arrive at the testing center – without friends or family – at least 30 minutes ahead of your scheduled appointment time to accommodate check-in procedures. Late arrivals (30 minutes or more after the scheduled appointment time) will not be admitted. To reschedule your exam within your eligibility period, you will be required to satisfy the Prometric Reinstatement Fee. 

When checking in, you must present your Scheduling and Admission Permit, and the required government-issued photo identification (ID). If you start the check-in process without these two requirements, you will not be admitted to the test and will be required to satisfy the Prometric Rescheduling Fee before rescheduling the exam within your eligibility period.

• The Scheduling and Admission Permit can be presented on paper or electronically using your smartphone.

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
• State ID
• Other forms of 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. 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.

After completing the check-in process, test center staff will escort you to your assigned testing station and provide a brief overview on how to use the computer equipment. To start the examination, you must enter the Candidate Identification Number (CIN) found in your Scheduling and Admission Permit. Once you enter the tutorial, you cannot cancel or reschedule your examination. The test session ends after you complete and exit all six (6) testing blocks, or when the total test time expires. At the end of the exam, you will receive an ‘end of session’ notice, indicating you appeared for the test.

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

During the exam, a fixed total time of 45 minutes is designated for use during authorized breaks and transition between blocks.

Authorized Breaks are as follows:

• Approved breaks built into the exam timing.
• Only permitted between testing blocks.
• Time you spend between testing blocks, whether you remain at your seat or leave the testing room.

Unauthorized Breaks are breaks taken during a testing block:

• Requires the proctor to file an incident report to be shared with the ICVA.
• Continues consuming your testing time since the clock does not stop.
• May be investigated as an irregular behavior violation.

Keep track of your break time using the summary feature inside the exam and please note:

1. If you complete the tutorial or testing blocks before the allotted time, the remaining minutes are added to your total break time.
2. If you exceed the allotted or accumulated break time, the excess time is deducted from your total testing time.
3. Each time you leave the testing room, you are required to sign out when you exit. You are also required to sign in and present your identification when you return.

Starting and Completing the Test

Prometric makes every effort to administer examinations at the scheduled test time and testing center location. On occasion, there are incidents that take place, prohibiting you from testing. See the standard reasons below and steps to take should an issue like this occur:

Technical Issue:

If you experience a computer issue during the test, notify test centre staff immediately.

In the rare event a technical problem occurs that prohibits you from completing your exam, contact the ICVA and the NEB immediately, and include:

• your name,
• ICVA ID number,
• test date, and
• a description of the incident.

Please allow a minimum of 15 business days for the investigation of your report. Once completed, you will receive written notification of the results.

Illness:

If you are ill and unable to attend your exam appointment, it is recommended that you reach out to Prometric immediately to reschedule your exam date. You can then satisfy the Prometric Rescheduling Fee and attempt to locate a new testing appointment within your eligibility period.

Emergency Closure:

In an emergency when Prometric testing centers are unsafe or inaccessible, testing appointments may be delayed or cancelled (i.e., severe weather, natural disaster, technical complications).

If Prometric must close a testing center, they will reschedule the testing appointment gratis and provide notice.

Other Reasons:

Should you begin the exam and not complete it for reasons other than those listed above, you should promptly contact the ICVA to report a grievance (see Grievances section of this bulletin).

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

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

After testing, exam data are delivered electronically to the testing vendor. The responses are converted into a raw score (the sum of the points earned from correct responses) and then converted into a three-digit scaled score. A final quality control check is then performed to verify scores before making the NAVLE Score Report available to you.

The NAVLE Score Report provides a pass or fail designation, three-digit scaled score, and a diagnostic report of your performance on the content areas. The sample NAVLE Interactive Score Report is a helpful resource to use when familiarizing yourself with the contents of the score report.

Examination Scores

Exam scores will be available online to you and the NEB approximately four (4) to five (5) weeks after the testing window closes. Please check the Application Deadlines for estimated score release dates. When your results are ready, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access your NAVLE Score Report. NAVLE candidates are not permitted to review their tests, and there are no rescores or appeals of NAVLE results.

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 your examination or the conditions during the exam negatively impacted your performance, you can request an investigation by the ICVA. To do this, you must submit a written request via email within ten (10) business days of your test date to mail@icva.net. Include the date and location of the examination and provide as much detail as possible about the event. In addition to notifying the ICVA, you are also required to file a complaint with Prometric staff while on-site. Grievance requests that do not meet these requirements or that ICVA receives more than ten days after the test date will not be considered by ICVA.

NAVLE Score Transfers

Your NAVLE score will be reported to the NEB and the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). The initial score reporting is incorporated into your NAVLE registration fee. All subsequent requests for score reports must be directed to the AAVSB online, via VAULT Transfer Services, or by phone at 1.877.698.8482 (the NEB does not process NAVLE score transfers).

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 NEB.

Development and Content

Exam Development

The NAVLE is designed to assess your knowledge of veterinary medicine as it relates to entry-level private clinical practice and covers all animal species commonly seen by private practitioners in North America. The NAVLE follows the American Psychological Association (APA) testing standards and test questions are created by veterinarians from various fields, including academics and private practice. Each new test question is reviewed by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME®) and a test development committee for acceptance and validated by veterinary medicine experts.

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 the tasks that veterinarians perform in their daily work, and they are divided into four main categories. Each category is assigned a weight reflecting its importance in veterinary practice.

Species and Diagnoses pertains to the various animal species involved in veterinary medicine. Each species is assigned a weight based on how frequently they are encountered in veterinary practice in the U.S. 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.