North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE)

The International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA), formerly the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (NBVME), manages the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE).

The NAVLE is administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners and is the examination used to determine eligibility for veterinary medical licencing in the United States and Canada. Each state in the USA differs in their requirements and we recommend you visit the American Association of Veterinary State Boards licensing boards site for licensing information relevant to each US state.

The NAVLE is now offered three times each year – in March/April, July/August, and November/December. It is delivered through Prometric testing centres found across the world.  In Australia, Prometric centres offering NAVLE are found in Sydney and Melbourne only. Each testing window is open for approximately 4 weeks.

You will apply through ICVA directly for US licensure, or the Canadian National Examination Board for applications for licensure in Canada. Scores are easily transferred between countries, but Canadian applicants should apply through Canada in the first instance.  Application deadlines are August 1 or February 1. It costs  a bit more than $1000 for an overseas test plus relevant US state or Canadian fees.

To sit the NAVLE you must have an expected graduation date no later than 10 months from the last date of the applicable testing window.