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Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination (BCSE)
The Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination (BCSE) is designed to assess basic and clinical veterinary sciences knowledge. The knowledge level expected to receive a passing score on the BCSE is that of an entry-level veterinarian (i.e., a new graduate of an accredited veterinary school).
The computer-based BCSE consists of 225 questions that must be completed within a 220-minute test session. The format of the BCSE questions consists of multiple-choice and alternative formats; such as matching, drag-and-drop and hot spot. Twenty-five of the 225 questions will be pretest items and will not be scored. These additional questions will be intermingled with scored questions. You will not be able to distinguish between the two.
In addition to the 220-minute test session, the four-hour testing appointment will include a brief tutorial to introduce you to computer-based testing and an exit evaluation at the end of the examination.
Graduates of a non-accredited veterinary school must first pass the BCSE to be eligible to appear for the NAVLE and the CPE. Such candidates may then choose the order in which they will appear for the exams, either NAVLE first or CPE first.
North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE)
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 tutorial and 360 multiple-choice questions administered in twelve blocks of 30 questions each. Approximately 15%-20% of the NAVLE questions will include graphic (such as a photograph or radiograph), viewable with zoom, contrast, and pan tools for better analysis.
You will have 33 minutes to complete each block and the total timing for the NAVLE is seven hours and 36 minutes. After completing each testing block, you can review your responses and make any edits before submitting. Once you submit each testing block or the testing block time has ended, your answers are final, and you cannot regain access to the submitted questions.
Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE)
The Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE) is a practical examination of the candidate's medical and surgical skills. It is designed to assess the candidate's ability to handle actual medical, surgical and diagnostic problems in a clinical or hospital setting. The CPE involves the examination and treatment of live animals and the performance of routine laboratory procedures.
Each of the exams is described in greater detail here:
Availability of the Examinations
BCSE
The BCSE will be offered throughout the year on a continuous testing basis. You will be able to schedule your testing appointment directly with Prometric only after applying and paying for the BCSE through the NEB office and receiving an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter in return.
Although testing will be offered on a continuous basis, you may only test one time (one test attempt) with each submitted application. Candidates are permitted to take the BCSE three times within a 12-month period.
The exam is administered at Prometric Inc.TM test centres throughout Canada, the USA, and various other countries. Please visit Prometric’s Web site at www.prometric.com to view the list of test centres available to you for the BCSE. You may schedule your BCSE for any available testing date at any testing centre.
NAVLE
The NAVLE is given during three testing windows annually. Please review the NAVLE page for specific dates and deadlines.
The NAVLE is given at testing centers operated by Prometric. There are about 300 centers in North America. Look for sites listed for the "International Council for Veterinary Assessment" and then select "NAVLE" or "NAVLF (French version)." The NAVLE is offered at Prometric centers in the US, Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, and in Canada. The NAVLE is also offered at selected testing centers overseas, including sites in countries throughout Europe, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Additional information on testing locations can be found on the Prometric website.
CPE
CPE sessions are currently offered at the following locations in Canada:
- FMV, St Hyacinthe, QC
- WCVM, Saskatoon, SK
To register for the full CPE through the NEB, eligible candidates will need to join the full CPE Waiting List from the NEB Candidate Portal.
The NEB reserves the right to change the date and/or location at which any examination is offered. Every effort will be made to ensure candidates are given adequate advance notice of any change. CPE Candidates are highly encouraged to book travel accommodations that are flexible in case of any change made to examination dates/times.
CPE at WCVM - Saskatchewan Restricted Membership Requirement
Candidates scheduled to take the Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE) at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, are required to comply with Saskatchewan provincial legislation under The Veterinarians Act, 1987.
To meet this requirement, the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association (SVMA) implemented a restricted membership category known as the NEB-CPE Candidate Restricted Membership. This restricted membership applies to all candidates taking the CPE at WCVM.
What this means for candidates
- The NEB will provide the SVMA with the candidate’s name and NEB ID for the sole purpose of issuing this restricted membership.
- The SVMA will issue the NEB-CPE Candidate Restricted Membership at no cost to the candidate.
- The restricted membership is valid only for the duration of the candidate’s scheduled CPE testing session and cannot be held beyond that period.
This restricted membership category is a standing requirement for all CPE administrations at WCVM.
Questions regarding this restricted membership or how it applies to your CPE sitting should be directed to the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association at svma@svma.sk.ca.