FAQ

Please visit our page that gives more information regarding the ICVA Assessment Grant process.

- If you are applying through a licensing board that manages its own NAVLE approvals, please contact them directly.

- If you are applying for approval directly through ICVA or applying through a licensing board that has the ICVA handle NAVLE approvals on their behalf:

1. Please review your receipts to confirm that you have completed both the ICVA NAVLE application AND the state NAVLE approval application. If you did not complete your state NAVLE approval application, you can do so here.
2. Confirm with your school (if you are a student at or a graduate of an AVMA COE-accredited school) or your educational equivalency program (if you are a student at or a graduate of a school not accredited by the AVMA COE) that they have sent verification of your educational status to the ICVA.

The ICVAID and Access Code were included in the welcome email you received from the ICVA (mail@icva.net), with the subject, “Your NAVLE Application is Received.” If you need to locate your access code, you can obtain it here.

If you are a student or a graduate from a veterinary school that is not accredited by the AVMA, you need to enroll in an educational equivalency program such as the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) or the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE). You can locate AVMA COE-accredited veterinary schools here.

- For more information on the ECFVG program, please visit their website at AVMA-ECFVG. If you have further questions, you can email them at ecfvg@avma.org.

- For details about the PAVE program, you can check their website at AAVSB-PAVE. If you have additional questions, you can email them at pave@aavsb.org.

After completing the first three steps of either the ECFVG or PAVE program, you will be eligible to apply for the NAVLE.

The ICVA is aware that only California, New Mexico, and Delaware mandate NAVLE candidates to complete all four (4) steps of the ECFVG program before obtaining NAVLE approval. In all other states, candidates are eligible for NAVLE approval after completing Step 3, which evaluates their knowledge of basic and clinical veterinary science (BCSE).

If you are a Cuban or Venezuelan in exile and wish to seek approval through the state of Florida, please follow these steps:

1. Complete the NAVLE online application available on our website. Be sure to select the Florida board as your application agency and indicate your exile status.
2. For documentation, please send your affidavit (either the original or a notarized copy) to our office at ICVA, Attention: Cuban/Venezuelan Exile Documentation, P.O. Box 1356, Bismarck, ND 58502.

Please note that recent changes to the NAVLE retake policy (effective with the November-December 2024 testing window) do not affect the approval process for NAVLE candidates applying as Cuban or Venezuelan in exile. Importantly, there is no longer a five-year time limit between your first and fifth attempts. For more information on the NAVLE retake policy, please visit our website.

To be eligible for the NAVLE, candidates must meet one of the following criteria:

1. Be a senior student at an AVMA COE-accredited school or college of veterinary medicine.
2. Be a graduate of an AVMA COE-accredited school or college of veterinary medicine.
3. Be enrolled in or hold a certificate issued by the:

- Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) program or

- Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE).

Note: To become eligible for the NAVLE, candidates from the ECFVG or PAVE programs must have passed the Step 3 examination of their respective program before the application deadline.

The NAVLE fee for the upcoming 2025-2026 testing cycle is $800 (USD).

- If you wish to take the exam outside of the United States, Canada, or the U.S. Territories, there is an additional international testing fee of $380 (USD).

- If you are applying through a state licensing agency that is not processed by the ICVA, please contact that agency directly, as their fee(s) may vary.  The NAVLE approval fee for applications using the licensing agency ICVA process or the ICVA direct approval option is $55 (USD).

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 of additional fees by you arising from such dishonor or fraud dispute.

To qualify and apply for the NAVLE, the ICVA requires that veterinary students have an expected graduation date no later than ten (10) months from the last date of the applicable testing window. Please select the licensing board for your intended state of licensure to view any additional requirements.

No, you cannot apply for the NAVLE in this situation.

- If you are enrolled in the ECFVG program, you must have passed the Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination (BCSE) before applying for the NAVLE.

- If you are enrolled in PAVE, you must have passed the Qualifying Science Exam (QSE) before  applying for the NAVLE.

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 COE-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. The school will receive a copy of the candidate's score report, which must be kept confidential. This information is to be used solely for internal purposes within the veterinary school, and the score report will not be included in the candidate's academic record.

Important notes:

1. You do not have to agree to the consent statement. If you choose not to give consent, your scores will not be reported to your veterinary school. Deciding not to release your score will not change your status as a student at the veterinary school.
2. Consent for Canadian candidates will be collected by the Canadian National Examining Board (NEB) as part of the NEB NAVLE application.

If you wish to change your consent status, you can do so on your NAVLE Candidate Dashboard or by contacting the ICVA by the end of the testing window.

The NAVLE fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. If you do not take the examination during the testing window for which you were approved, you must submit a new application and pay the full fee to take the NAVLE during a subsequent window.

APPLICANTS IN CANADA

If you are applying to take the NAVLE to obtain a license to practice veterinary medicine in Canada, you must contact the Canadian National Examining Board (NEB) and follow their NAVLE application procedures and requirements. NAVLE application and fee payment must be made directly to the NEB (not the ICVA) by their application deadline date.

APPLICANTS IN THE UNITED STATES AND U.S. TERRITORIES 

Check your licensing board requirements here.

- If you are applying through a licensing board that involves the ICVA in processing the licensing board portion of the NAVLE approval process, your entire application can be completed online through the ICVA NAVLE application.

- If you are applying through a licensing board that does not involve the ICVA in processing the licensing board portion of the NAVLE approval process, you must:

1. contact that licensing board directly,
2. complete the licensing board’s requirements, and
3. submit the online ICVA NAVLE application.

For more information, please visit the State and Provincial Licensing Boards page.

It is not necessary to apply for NAVLE approval through the state where you currently reside. Instead, you should apply through the licensing board of the state where you intend to practice veterinary medicine. The board that approves your application to take the NAVLE will automatically receive a copy of your NAVLE score report when the scores are released. There is also a ‘No Board’ option in the online NAVLE application that candidates may select if they are uncertain about where they will seek licensure.

The online ICVA NAVLE application can be submitted at any time during the application period. All candidates are encouraged to submit their applications early, to allow time to resolve any issues before the deadline.

If you are applying through a state licensing board that is utilizing the ICVA for their NAVLE approval process, the application provides you with an opportunity to submit your combined ICVA NAVLE application and state approval application at one time. Click here for additional information on the NAVLE state application approval procedures.

If your state application was not processed or if you need to complete a state application for one of the ICVA’s states, please follow these steps:

1. Visit the ICVA state application page.
2. Scroll down to the bottom and select the board from which you are seeking approval (highlighted in orange).
3. Complete the state NAVLE application and pay the required fee.

Ensure that you complete this process by the application deadline for your testing window. If you encounter any issues with the state application process, please contact the ICVA for assistance.

The ICVA offers three (3) testing windows for the NAVLE:

1. October – November Testing Window: the application period is June 1 -July 15
2. March Testing Window: the application period is December 1 - January 7
3. July – August Testing Window: the application period is April 2 - May 7

All application, eligibility, and accommodations materials must be received by the application deadline, no exceptions. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline. Individuals who miss the deadline will need to wait to apply for the subsequent testing window.

Some state licensing boards have earlier NAVLE application deadlines. You should contact your chosen board or its designated NAVLE processor to determine their specific application requirements and deadlines.

The NAVLE is offered at select Prometric Testing Centers around the world. When filling out the NAVLE application, you must specify the country or region where you plan to take the exam. If your testing region must be changed after submitting your application, you must complete the NAVLE Information Change Request Form and satisfy the applicable fees.

All testing region changes must be made at least 10 business days before the start of the testing window. Please contact the ICVA immediately if you need to change your testing region after submitting your application. Please note:

1. There is a required Testing Region Change Fee of $100.
2. If you wish to change your testing region from the United States or Canada to any other region outside North America, you must also satisfy the International Testing Fee in addition to the $100 Testing Region Change Fee.

NAVLE candidates may only apply for approval to take the NAVLE through one state or territorial licensing board. Each jurisdiction sets its own eligibility requirements for the NAVLE, and you are responsible for obtaining the necessary NAVLE application materials from the jurisdiction in which you plan to seek licensure (or from their designated NAVLE application processor).

Because the NAVLE application requirements, deadlines, and application fees vary among jurisdictions, contact your chosen board before the NAVLE application deadline. U.S. state and territorial licensing board contact information can be found here.

You can apply for NAVLE approval through one board only, and that board will receive online access to your NAVLE score automatically upon score release and for one year thereafter. You may not change your licensing board once your application is submitted.

- If you are applying through a licensing board that handles its own NAVLE approvals, please contact them directly to find out what documentation they require to verify your educational status.

- If you are applying for approval directly through the ICVA or if you are applying through a licensing board that has the ICVA manage their NAVLE approvals, and are a student or graduate of:

1. an AVMA COE-accredited school, confirm with your school, or
2. a school not accredited by the AVMA COE, confirm with your educational equivalency program that they have sent verification of your educational status to the ICVA.

If you are applying to take the NAVLE to obtain a license to practice veterinary medicine in Canada, you must contact the Canadian National Examining Board (NEB) and follow their NAVLE application procedures and requirements. NAVLE application and fee payment must be made directly to the NEB (not the ICVA) by their application deadline date.

When applying to take the NAVLE, the application will ask if you have EVER taken the VEA or the NAVLE before.

1. If you have, select "YES," and the system will locate your ICVAID associated with those exams.
2. If you have not taken either exam, select "NO," and a new ICVAID will be assigned to you.

Your ICVAID will be emailed to you at the email address on file once your application is added to the ICVA database. You will need your ICVAID to access your NAVLE Candidate Dashboard, your Scheduling and Admission Permit, and your scores when they are released.

Your first and last names on your NAVLE Scheduling and Admission Permit and your first and last names as listed on the non-expired, government-issued, signed, photo identification (the ID you plan to use for entrance into the testing center) need to match exactly. If there is the presence of a middle name, middle initial, or suffix on one document and its absence on the other, that is an acceptable difference. If it is the full middle name on one document and the corresponding middle initial on the other document, this is also an acceptable difference. Electronic versions of your ID are not acceptable.

If you need to update or correct your name or other information, you can do it here.

To reapply for the NAVLE after failing, all candidates must complete the online NAVLE application. You must also be approved by a state licensing board or by the ICVA to take the NAVLE again. This applies to all candidates, regardless of whether they have previously applied for or taken the examination.

For more details on the irregular behavior, including its definition, specific examples of conduct, and the consequences for violations, please view the Irregular Behavior Policy.

If you suspect someone has engaged in irregular behavior, please refer to the Irregular Behavior Policy for guidance.

The total timing for the NAVLE is seven and a half (7.5) hours and consists of 360 multiple-choice questions administered in six (6) blocks of 60 questions each.

The NAVLE is sectioned into six (6) testing blocks, with each block including 60 multiple-choice questions that consist of a statement or question that require one (1) answer selection from the provided options. Although multiple options may be partially correct, you should select the one best answer to the question. Approximately 15-20% of the NAVLE questions include graphics (i.e., photograph or radiograph) that will be displayed in a viewer window which offers zoom, contrast adjustment, and panning capabilities.

The NAVLE is based on a blueprint created from a job analysis done by the ICVA. The blueprint has two (2) main parts:

The NAVLE is divided into the following sections:

During the exam, a fixed total time of 45 minutes is designated for use during authorized breaks and transition between blocks. Read below for more information on authorized versus unauthorized breaks.

AUTHORIZED BREAKS

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

UNAUTHORIZED BREAKS

A break taken during a testing block:

1. Requires the proctor to file an incident report to be shared with the ICVA.
2. Continues consuming your testing time since the clock does not stop.
3. May be investigated as an exam security violation.

No, each candidate takes the same length test. The NAVLE is administered as a “fixed form,” meaning every candidate is presented with 360 test questions.

You may need to do some basic calculations to answer certain questions on the NAVLE. The exam features an on-screen calculator for candidates who choose to use one.

During each testing block, you may skip items or mark them for later review. 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.

Beginning with the 2025-2026 testing cycle, the NAVLE will be given during three (3) testing windows annually:

1. October – November
2. March
3. July – August

For more information, visit the NAVLE page.

Prometric is the authorized test delivery provider administering the NAVLE at their international testing centers via computer-based testing (CBT). Prometric has approximately 300 test centers across North America and offers the NAVLE in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada.  Additionally, the NAVLE is offered at selected testing centers outside of the United States and Canada, including various locations throughout Europe, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

To locate a testing center, visit the Prometric site, search for listings under the "International Council for Veterinary Assessment," and then select "NAVLE" or "NAVLF (French version)."

Each NAVLE candidate is assigned a unique ICVA identification number (ICVAID) used to identify their candidate record.  The ICVAID should be kept confidential as it is used for the following:

- Corresponding with the ICVA office

- Accessing the NAVLE Candidate Dashboard

- Downloading your NAVLE Scheduling and Admission Permit

- Retrieving your NAVLE score report

- Reapplying for the NAVLE

- Requesting a score transfer through the AAVSB to another licensing entity

Ensuring your contact details are accurate is important since all NAVLE-related correspondence is sent via email. Before submitting the online ICVA NAVLE application, review your name, email address, and telephone number to ensure accuracy. If any of these details require updating after submitting your application, you must complete the NAVLE Information Change Request Form and satisfy the applicable fees.  

To reach the VIRMP, you can visit their website (http://www.virmp.org/) or email them at support@virmp.org.

If you have graduated from veterinary school but have not passed the NAVLE, check with your state or provincial licensing board to see if there are supervised permit or temporary permit options available in their jurisdiction. They can also inform you about the veterinary work you are legally allowed to do before being officially licensed. Additionally, you can find information regarding opportunities in veterinary medicine outside of traditional practice on our website.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.

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 can take the NAVLE only once during each testing window. According to the ICVA policy, candidates are allowed to attempt the NAVLE up to five times in total, including any incomplete attempts (when a candidate initiates the NAVLE and responds to questions without completing the exam).

The NAVLE retake policy was implemented in April 2024 and applies to all candidates. The policy adheres to best practices in assessment by limiting the number of attempts a candidate can take on the test and is consistent with the retake policy for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).  This restriction helps the ICVA reduce test item exposure and maintain the integrity of the exam. Additionally, allowing candidates to retake the test multiple times may result in an inaccurate assessment of their competencies.

No, you do not need any special computer skills. The ICVA recommends that you practice with the computer-based NAVLE tutorial before you take the actual exam. This will help you become familiar with the computer interface and the format of the questions.

The content coverage of the NAVLE is detailed in the NAVLE Exam Blueprint, which was developed from the NAVLE Practice Analysis. NAVLE questions are based on a combination of competencies and diagnoses.

For more information, refer to the following resources, as they are essential for understanding the structure and content areas of the NAVLE:

1. NAVLE Exam Blueprint: This document provides a percentage overview of the competency domains, and the species and diagnosis covered in the exam.
2. NAVLE Competency Domains: This primary resource outlines the competencies that are assessed on the NAVLE.
3. NAVLE Species Diagnoses: This primary resource offers an overview of the species and diagnoses included in the NAVLE.

Yes, we have a selection of sample questions available on our site.

NAVLE Self-Assessments (NAVLE SA) aligned with the current NAVLE blueprint are available for purchase on the ICVA website. Click here to learn more.

Here is a list of NAVLE resources available on the ICVA website:

1. Candidate Bulletin: A comprehensive document provides candidates with important information about policies and procedures related to the NAVLE application, exam, scoring, violations, and investigations.  
2. Competency Domains: An outline of tasks that veterinarians perform in their daily work, divided into four main categories. Each category is assigned a weight reflecting its importance in veterinary practice.
3. Species and Diagnoses: Sample topics covered on the NAVLE, including 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.
4. Additional preparation resources are also available, including the NAVLE Self-Assessment (NAVLE SA), sample questions, and the computer-based NAVLE tutorial.  

A Scheduling and Admission Permit with instructions for making an appointment at a Prometric test center will be issued to you after you:

1. submit your completed application,
2. satisfy all NAVLE fees,
3. are deemed eligible by a licensing board (or directly to ICVA), and
4. have been processed by the NBME.

The permit will be emailed to you with instructions on how to access the MyNBME® Examinee Portal to complete the required MyNBME account registration.

Click to view a Sample Scheduling and Admission Permit.

It is recommended that you contact Prometric to schedule your examination appointment date(s) as soon as possible after you receive your NAVLE Scheduling and Admission Permit.

You can take your NAVLE at any available testing center located within the testing region (e.g., Europe, Asia, etc.) you selected when you submitted your ICVA NAVLE application. You do not have to take the NAVLE at a testing center located in the same state as the licensing board that approved you to take the examination.

The ICVA cannot access your confirmation number from Prometric. You should record the confirmation number as soon as you receive it from Prometric.

If you need to change your scheduled appointment date, time, or location within the testing window, you must do so at least two (2) business days before your scheduled appointment. You can complete the change by using your Prometric Confirmation Number in one of two ways:

1. Speaking directly to a representative via the Prometric contact information on your Scheduling and Admission Permit.
2. Accessing the ProScheduler and completing the process online.

If you attempt to reschedule a scheduled appointment in less than two (2) business days before the exam or miss the appointment, you will be considered a “late cancellation” or an exam “no show.” You will also incur a non-refundable fee that must be paid to Prometric before you can test, including but not limited to the following:

For more information, see Section 2 of your NAVLE Scheduling and Admission Permit.

Primary Identification must be a current, government-issued identification that contains your name, photograph, and signature. Examples include:

- Driver’s license

- Passport

- National identity card

- State identification card

Please note that electronic versions of your ID are not acceptable

Before submitting the online ICVA NAVLE application, review your name, email address, and telephone number to ensure accuracy. If any of these details require updating after submitting your application, you must complete the NAVLE Information Change Request Form and satisfy the applicable fees.

When checking in, you must present your Scheduling and Admission Permit and the required government-issued photo identification (ID). Electronic ID versions are not valid, but the Scheduling and Admission Permit can be presented on paper or electronically using your smartphone.

If you start the check-in process without these two requirements, you will not be admitted to the test, you will forfeit your eligibility, and will be required to satisfy the Prometric Rescheduling Fee before rescheduling the exam within your eligibility period. For more information, see Section 2 of your NAVLE Scheduling and Admission Permit.

If you would like to view more appointment availability, visit the Prometric website and click on “Locate” link. There, you can view available appointments without needing to enter your Prometric confirmation number for your current appointment.

If you are having difficulty scheduling your NAVLE, please visit the Prometric website and click on the “Schedule” link. Additionally, please keep the following points in mind:

1. Ensure that you are only entering the digits from your Scheduling Number, without any special characters, such as the pound or hashtag symbol [#].  
2. Double-check that you have selected the correct Testing Region as indicated on your Scheduling and Admission Permit.
3. If you cannot schedule an exam appointment through the website, contact Prometric directly using the telephone number provided in Section 1 of your NAVLE Scheduling and Admission Permit. Prometric staff can assist you with making your appointment over the phone.

All testing region changes must be made at least 10 business days before the start of the testing window. Please contact the ICVA immediately if you need to change your testing region after submitting your application. Please note:

1. There is a required Testing Region Change Fee of $100.
2. If you wish to change your testing region from the United States or Canada to any other region outside North America, you must also satisfy the International Testing Fee in addition to the $100 Testing Region Change Fee.
3. Note: You must complete the NAVLE Information Change Request Form and satisfy the applicable fees.

NAVLE testing region change fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

If your appointment is cancelled by Prometric, please contact Prometric Candidate Cares at the telephone number listed in Section 2 of your NAVLE Scheduling and Admission Permit for assistance with rescheduling. Remember, there are no NAVLE extensions, so you must reschedule for a date within your testing window.

If Prometric shares that your previous appointment has been cleared from their scheduling system and you can make a new appointment, please follow these steps:

1. Go to the Prometric website.
2. Click on the “Schedule” link on the left side of the page.
3. Use the nine-digit scheduling number from your NAVLE permit to enter the scheduling system.

BEFORE TAKING THE NAVLE: 

When applying for the NAVLE, be sure to enter the name that will be in use on your government-issued ID when you take the NAVLE.  The application includes a question that asks if you have been known by any other name; you can enter your former name in that field.

If the name listed on your government-issued ID does not match the name on your application, you must complete the NAVLE information change request form at least two weeks before your scheduled appointment, as name changes require system updates and data transfers to process an updated Scheduling and Admission Permit. Please note that if you have scheduled an appointment with Prometric, updating the name on the permit does not change the appointment date or location.

AFTER TAKING THE NAVLE:

Name changes requested after you take the NAVLE will not change the name listed on your NAVLE score report PDF. If you are considering future NAVLE score transfers to other boards, please check with the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) regarding their name change procedure, since they oversee the score archive and all official score transfers.

The Prometric website combines the first and middle names into a single field when it appears in their scheduling system. Your non-expired government-issued photo ID must show all of the names, and they must be spelled correctly to avoid any issues. Electronic versions of your ID are not acceptable.

The score report contains your total test score, your pass/fail designation, and information on your performance in the different content areas. Please review the NAVLE Interactive Score Report here.

Exam scores will be available online to you and, if applicable, the licensing board that approved you approximately four (4) to five (5) weeks after the testing window closes.

NAVLE scores are expressed on a scale that ranges from 200 to 800, with the minimum passing score set at 425. The NAVLE uses criterion-referenced passing scores and is not graded on a curve. This means that each candidate's performance is measured against a set standard, rather than the performance of other candidates. For additional information, refer to the Exam Results section of the NAVLE Candidate Bulletin.

The minimum passing standard is established through an activity known as a standard-setting exercise. A standard-setting exercise is conducted periodically to establish the minimum level of proficiency required for entry into private clinical practice. The standard setting process ensures that valid and fair decisions are made based on candidates’ scores.

The NAVLE process is consistent with other national high-stakes examinations for health professions and follows the industry standard best practices in determining the minimum passing standard.

- For more information on the standard-setting process, click here.

- For additional information on the scoring process, click here.

No. The NAVLE is scored after the close of each testing window. Exam scores will be available online to you and, if applicable, the licensing board that approved you approximately four (4) to five (5) weeks after the testing window closes.

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. 

Yes, all NAVLE candidates can access their NAVLE Score report by logging into their MyNBME account after NAVLE results have been released to boards. An email will be sent to all NAVLE candidates by our test vendor, NBME, with instructions on how to access their NAVLE score report.

If you need your score reported to additional boards, you must submit a score transfer request through the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). Expect 7-14 business days for your NAVLE score transfer request to be processed and completed.

There are no re-scores or appeals of NAVLE scores once the score reports are released.

Your NAVLE score will be available to access for approximately one (1) year after the initial posting date. Please follow the instructions you received at the time of NAVLE score release to access your score report.

If you plan to retake the NAVLE, start by reviewing the information in your NAVLE score report, which details your performance in different content areas. Additionally, utilize the NAVLE resources available on the ICVA website. 

If you need information about what type of veterinary work you are legally allowed to do before passing the NAVLE and obtaining your license, please contact your licensing board.

Individual NAVLE score reports are available online for approximately one (1) year after release. Candidates are encouraged to download a copy of their NAVLE score report for personal records during that time. If you need a copy of your score report after it is no longer available online, you can request a duplicate score report.

If you have any issues accessing your Score Report, please contact support@nbme.org.

The ICVA is committed to following the principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing equal exam access to all candidates. The application process includes an opportunity for you to indicate the need for reasonable test accommodations. If you have a documented disability covered under the ADA and require test accommodations, you must do the following:

1. Indicate in the application that you will request accommodations.
2. Complete and submit the NAVLE Accommodation Request Form and your documentation before deadline for your NAVLE testing window.

The request for ADA accommodations requires ICVA review and approval. All supporting documentation must be provided to the ICVA prior to, or during the submission of your NAVLE application, and please note the following.

1. If you have documentation on file from a previous NAVLE attempt, you must still mark on the application that you are requesting accommodations.
2. If you are requesting different accommodations from a previous NAVLE attempt, you must complete a new NAVLE Accommodation Request Packet before the application deadline for the applicable testing window.
3. If your accommodation request requires that you have extended testing time, or more frequent breaks, you must take the NAVLE over a two (2) day period, presenting the Scheduling and Admission Permit on both days.
4. The processing of your NAVLE Scheduling and Admission Permit can only begin once you are approved for both the test and your requested accommodations.
5. It is recommended that you contact Prometric to schedule your examination appointment date(s) as soon as possible after you receive your NAVLE Scheduling and Admission Permit.

If you apply for the NAVLE without indicating the need for testing accommodations and receive a Scheduling and Admission Permit for standard format testing, you will not be permitted to seek accommodations for the testing window.

You must contact the NEB office directly for information regarding their NAVLE accommodation request process by emailing neb-bne@cvma-acmv.org.

Please note that if you are applying for NAVLE approval through the United States and Canada, your accommodation request must be approved by the ICVA.

The NAVLE Accommodation Request Packet contains all of the necessary details related to the accommodation process, including deadlines, instructions, and documentation requirements.

Requests are processed in the order in which they are received. It is recommended that you submit your completed and supported NAVLE Accommodations Request Form as far in advance of the applicable deadline date as possible in case additional information is needed.

All application, eligibility, and accommodations materials must be received by the application deadline, no exceptions.

For more information on application deadlines, visit the NAVLE page.

It is recommended that you contact Prometric to schedule your examination appointment date(s) as soon as possible after you receive your NAVLE Scheduling and Admission Permit. To do so, you can schedule your NAVLE:

• - online, via the Prometric website, available at any time, or
• - by telephone, using the number listed in Section 1 of your NAVLE Scheduling and Admission Permit.

To learn more about NAVLE presentations, please contact us.

The NAVLE Self-Assessment is a web-based preparation tool designed to closely simulate the format and content covered on the NAVLE. Created by ICVA, this self-assessment helps candidates identify their strengths and weaknesses while preparing for the NAVLE.

There is no limit on the number of times you can take any form of the self-assessment. However, once you complete an assessment, you must purchase a new one to retake that same assessment.

Yes, there are two (2) free sample assessments available: one in English and one in French. Each contains 10 items and includes a tutorial that provides an overview of the delivery software, helping candidates navigate the self-assessment system. An answer key is also provided for these free sample assessments.

To purchase a NAVLE SA for your NAVLE preparation:

1. Choose your assessment:  You can find more information about the NAVLE SA here. There are three (3) unique forms available in English and two (2) unique forms available in French.
2. Create an account in the account center: Please note that your NAVLE SA account is separate from your NAVLE application account.
3. Purchase the NAVLE SA here: Acceptable forms of payment include Visa and MasterCard.

The NAVLE Self-Assessment follows the same blueprint as the NAVLE, meaning the content is identical to that of the actual exam. The NAVLE Self-Assessment features multiple-choice questions, each with one correct answer, and the questions are composed of retired NAVLE items no longer in circulation.

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

REGULAR FORMAT: $50.00 (USD)

1. Available in English Form 1, English Form 3, and French Form 1 (containing the same items as English Form
2. Provides a Self-Assessment Report with projected NAVLE score range and performance breakdown of the blueprint areas.

EXPANDED FEEDBACK: $65.00 (USD)

1. Available in Form 2 and French Form 2 (containing the same items as English Form 2).
2. Provides a Self-Assessment Report with projected NAVLE score range and performance breakdown of the blueprint areas.
3. Includes an answer review of incorrectly answered questions. 

The NAVLE SA consists of retired items from the actual NAVLE exam. It includes 200 multiple-choice questions divided into four (4) blocks of 50 questions each. Once you complete a block, it becomes locked, and you will no longer have access to it. You can only review questions while you are still within an open block.

You will receive a score report immediately after completing a NAVLE SA. This report shows the percentage of questions you answered correctly for both the overall assessment and for each main topic area. Additionally, it compares your performance with a group of candidates who answered the same questions.

The score report also provides a projected NAVLE score based on your performance on the assessment. Research has confirmed that the projected score range for examinees who complete the NAVLE Self-Assessment using the standard timing mode is predictive of their future performance on the NAVLE.

Regular Feedback Self-Assessment Forms:

Candidates receive percentage scores indicating their performance on the overall self-assessment as well as for each main topic area. The report also includes performance data for a comparison group of candidates on the same items. Additionally, the score report provides a projected NAVLE score based on the candidate's performance on the assessment.

Expanded Feedback Self-Assessment Forms:

In addition to the feedback provided in the regular forms, individuals who purchase the expanded feedback form (Form 2) will receive the correct answers for any questions they answered incorrectly.

Score reports can be reviewed and printed indefinitely from your NAVLE Self-Assessment (NAVLE SA) account.

The predicted score range indicates the expected range of your NAVLE score based on your performance on the Self-Assessment. Research has confirmed that the projected score range for examinees who complete the NAVLE Self-Assessment under standard-paced timing is a reliable indicator of their later performance on the NAVLE.

1. Standard-Paced: Consists of 200 multiple-choice questions, presented in four blocks of 50 questions each, with 55 minutes per section. Total time is 220 minutes and includes optional brief breaks between sections, partially aligning with the full exam.

2. Self-Paced: Consists of 200 multiple-choice questions, presented in four blocks of 50 questions each, with 110 minutes per section. The total time is 440 minutes, providing twice the amount of time offered in the standard-paced option. This option is designed for individuals who require additional time for testing or who will be requesting extended time accommodations for their NAVLE.

Participants must complete the NAVLE SA within 30 days of launching it.

You have a total of 30 days from the launch date to finish the NAVLE SA. You can pause the assessment at any time by clicking the "Pause" button in the navigation panel and confirming in the message box that appears. This allows you to exit the NAVLE SA and resume it later, as long as the 30-day timeframe has not expired. When paused, your assessment will stop, and the browser will close. When you are ready to continue, return to the “Current Status” page, and you will pick up right where you left off.

To complete each section of the NAVLE SA, ensure that you select “End” before moving on to the next section. Once you intentionally end a section or the time for that section expires, you will not be able to return to it. Additionally, once you have completed the entire NAVLE SA, you cannot review any part of it.

If you are working in a NAVLE SA section and the time limit expires before you finish answering all the questions, that section will automatically close, and you will not be able to answer any remaining questions.

Once you have completed the entire NAVLE SA, you cannot go back to review it. However, while you are still in each section and before submitting it, you can change your answers, mark questions for review, or leave them unanswered.

If you experience technical difficulties with the NAVLE SA, please email the ICVA Team at mail@icva.net. In your email, make sure to include your ICVA ID and a screenshot of the issue.

Examinees may face issues like this due to a loss of server connection, power outages, or similar problems. If this happens, please contact the ICVA for assistance.

The NAVLE SA is designed to be accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, there may be times when routine maintenance on the NAVLE Self-Assessment website occurs, which could temporarily prevent participants from accessing a purchased assessment. Scheduled maintenance will be announced on the home page of the Self-Assessment site or the News and Updates page of our website.

If you are unable to log into your NAVLE SA account, please remember that this account is completely separate from the NAVLE candidate dashboard. You can create a new account or log in to your existing one here. If you’ve forgotten your password, please use the "Forgot Password" option. Alternatively, you can create another account using your personal or school email address.

For more information about this assessment, please visit our Species Specific Examination page.

The ICVA charges a fee of $75 per candidate, which is payable by the school. Schools have the option to pass this fee on to their students.

Orders and payments are due on the following dates:

• - July 15 for the August/September testing window
• - November 15 for the January testing window
• - March 15 for the May testing window

Schools can place their orders for the VEA on the ICVA website. During the ordering process, they will indicate the number of students testing and the testing date. Additionally, they will upload a student roster with the required information. A template for the roster is provided on the VEA order page. Payments are made using a credit card at the time of the order.

The VEA student roster submitted by the school includes a field where they can indicate whether a student requires additional testing time or the standard testing duration.

Please note that there are no refunds once the student files have been submitted to our test vendor.

To help faculty better understand the assessment, ICVA offers up to two complimentary faculty reviews per school each calendar year (from July 1 to June 30). Additional faculty reviews can be conducted for a fee of $50 per reviewer. The VEA Faculty Review can be completed at any time throughout the year.

ICVA requires a two-week notice to process the request. Schools have a 60-day window to complete the faculty assessment.

The VEA Faculty Review Form consists of 100 items.

Yes, the VEA Faculty Review form is based on the same content specifications as the VEA.

Schools are not obligated to purchase the test after completing the faculty review. However, schools planning to administer the VEA® to their students may choose to have the reviewing faculty do so simultaneously with the student administration or before the testing window for their students.

For more information on the VEA Faculty Review, please email us at vea@icva.net.

There are a total of 240 questions on the VEA. Out of these, 200 are “Live” questions that count toward your score, while 40 are “Pretest” questions that do not affect your score.

No, pretest questions are randomly distributed throughout the exam.

Pretest questions are included in the exam to collect statistics that help evaluate the potential for using these questions as scored items in future Veterinary Educational Assessment (VEA) examinations.

A study conducted investigated the relationship among several common measures taken before and during veterinary school. It found that the VEA was the strongest predictor of a student's performance on the NAVLE. The VEA assesses foundational knowledge essential for clinical practice. Therefore, if students have a solid understanding of these content areas, they are likely to score well on the NAVLE.

Each examinee receives an individual score report. Along with the score report, candidates will also receive a copy of the Performance Interpretation Guidelines (PIG) to help them understand their scores. The ICVA sends the score reports to the school, and school officials are responsible for distributing the individual score reports to the students.

Schools will receive a copy of the document titled "Integration of Minimum Competency Results." This document provides guidelines based on a study conducted to help schools identify students who may need remediation. Please contact us if you have any questions about using this document.

Score reports are intended to assist faculty in identifying students who may require remediation in basic sciences. Faculty are encouraged to review the VEA score results with each student individually. It is strictly prohibited to release any scores to individuals or organizations outside of the school.

Score reports are available in the MyNBME portal under performance feedback for approximately 12 months after the scores are reported. School faculty and staff are encouraged to download all feedback when it becomes available through the portal. Score reports are only provided to the verified administrative staff of the program and will not be provided to current or former examinees under any circumstances.

The VEA is delivered through an internet-based platform at schools that choose to offer the exam to their students. The examination can be conducted using either school or student computers that meet the required technical specifications for the web-based delivery. Testing can take place either as a group on campus or individually for students who are off campus. Examinees access the examination by logging into a secure website, and the test administration is supervised by school proctors.

The VEA is administered in two blocks, each containing 120 items, for a total of 132 minutes. There is an optional break of up to 45 minutes between the two blocks. This time includes 200 scored items and 40 pretest items that are being considered for use in future VEA testing cycles.

The technical requirements for administering the VEA can be found here.

Schools have the option of conducting in-person testing proctored by faculty or staff at the veterinary school, remote proctoring, or a combination of both using third-party software such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Webex.

The flexibility of the web-based testing system allows schools to administer the VEA over multiple days. However, the ICVA recommends that schools conduct the test within one (1) or two (2) days for convenience.

Please visit the Volunteer Opportunities page for more information.

For more information, please visit our Wisconsin State Rules and Laws page.

1. If you are not currently licensed in another jurisdiction and plan to take the Wisconsin Rules and Laws Examination, please contact the ICVA.
2. If you are currently licensed and seeking licensure in the state of Wisconsin, please reach out to the Wisconsin Veterinary Examining Board (WIVEB) for approval to take the exam.

The fee for the examaination is $50.00

You have 30 days from the start of your eligibility to complete this open-book exam. You can log in and out during this period.

Once you complete the exam, your score will be emailed to you and to the Wisconsin Veterinary Examining Board (WIVEB). You can also download a copy from the email.

You can reference the following codes and statutes during the examination:

- Wisconsin Statutes 89

- Wisconsin Administrative Code

Please contact the Wisconsin Veterinary Examining Board (WIVEB).

Once your payment is received, your details will be submitted to the test vendor, and you will receive an email with instructions on how to access your exam.

Please visit our page that gives more information regarding Assessment Development Workshops.

To learn more about VEA Data Workshops, please contact us.