ICVA NAVLE® Deep Dive at the 2024 AAVSB Conference
ICVA’s recent NAVLE Deep Dive presentation, held as an optional pre-conference session during the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, provided crucial information on the updated retake policy and the new testing windows slated to begin in 2025-2026. Presenters included Dr. Courtney Vengrin, Senior Director of Assessment; Dr. Elizabeth Johnson Million, Director of Veterinary Outreach; and Janine Hawley, Chief Operating Officer. Key topics included the impact of the retake policy changes, the psychometrics involved in the NAVLE creation and administration process, and the defensibility of testing practices. Anita Casey-Reed, Program Manager and Communication Specialist, was also present to address questions and provide additional insights.
Key Topics & Discussions
A key element of the session was the presentation and discussion of the five-limit retake policy, which received positive feedback from attendees. Presenters took time to clarify misconceptions about the role of licensing boards in the appeals process, helping attendees better understand how these changes may affect veterinary licensing. In addition to the NAVLE retake policy, the session also covered the new testing windows for the 2025-2026 cycle. These changes are designed to offer greater flexibility and better accommodate the needs of both candidates and licensing boards.
“This was my first AASVB meeting and I met quite a few new colleagues over the 3-day meeting, and ICVA was well represented with staff and board members. Janine, Elizabeth and Courtney gave a great presentation for the NAVLE Deep Dive, engaging with the attendees about moving to three testing windows and the ICVA policy that limits the number of NAVLE attempts to five.” – Dr. Keith Poulsen, ICVA Board Chair
Discussion during the session also included approval options and clarification of the "no board" option for candidates, which sparked productive conversations. To ensure all stakeholders’ perspectives are considered, a survey was launched for licensing boards after the meeting to provide ICVA with further information on the implementation logistics of the NAVLE retake policy appeal process at individual boards.
“I’ve attended the ICVA NAVLE Deep Dive since 2018, and every year I learn something new. This year’s session had the most audience participation I’ve seen, and stakeholders expressed optimism about the increase to three testing windows for NAVLE candidates.” – Dr. Elizabeth Farrington, ICVA Board Member
Welcoming New Board Members
The AAVSB meeting resulted in the election of two new ICVA Board members: Dr. Winnie Krogman and Ms. Trina Ralph. Ms. Ralph, the new Public Member, succeeds Ms. Kathy Bowler, who completed her third and final term. Dr. Krogman succeeded Dr. Frank Walker, who had served on the ICVA Board for the past three years. Dr. Walker will continue to serve on the ICVA’s Talent Management Committee.
“It was an honor to welcome Dr. Krogman and Ms. Ralph in person at the meeting. Their fresh perspectives will be a tremendous asset to ICVA as we continue our important work. We will also miss Dr. Walker’s valuable insights, which have been integral to the success of our initiatives.” – Dr. Helen Tuzio, ICVA Board Chair-Elect
Strengthening Collaboration for Future Success
The NAVLE Deep Dive session encouraged valuable interactions between ICVA staff and licensing board members from across the US and Canada, with one-on-one conversations allowing for deeper discussions about the future of veterinary assessments and potential improvements in candidate information and processes. “I had several conversations with very engaged Licensing Board staff members while at the Annual Meeting, and connected with quite a few more on calls since” noted Janine Hawley.
The feedback gathered will inform future presentations and initiatives, with a continued focus on ensuring that veterinary assessments remain robust, transparent, and adaptable to emerging needs. The successful NAVLE Deep Dive session highlighted the importance of collaboration and ongoing communication between ICVA, licensing boards, and other key stakeholders in shaping the future of veterinary assessments.