News and Updates

The ICVA is providing an update to the December 2025 announcement to initiate an independent third-party audit of the NAVLE to ensure continued confidence in the exam’s rigor and impartiality.

The ICVA is excited to announce the release of the NAVLE Candidate Handbook for the 2026-2027 Testing Cycle.

Beginning with the October–November 2026 testing window, the NAVLE will introduce updates to the exam’s structure, including shorter testing blocks with more frequent break opportunities, as well as enhancements to the testing interface and navigation experience.

The ICVA is putting out an open call for three (3) positions on the Communication Skills Assessment Committee (CSAC). These open positions are for professionals in veterinary medicine who have expertise in communication competencies and communication skills assessment methods.

The ICVA grant program, overseen by the ICVA Academic Veterinary Assessment Committee (AVAC) on behalf of the ICVA Board of Directors, is pleased to announce the 2026 grant program with up to three (3) grant award opportunities of $40,000 USD. Each of the $40,000 awards is limited to a period of three years.

The ICVA is putting out a call for nominations for four (4) open positions on the Assessment Development Committee (ADC) with the term beginning in June 2026. The open positions are for experts in the Bovine-Dairy, Exotic Companion Animal, Poultry, and Small Ruminant areas.

The ICVA intends to conduct an independent audit of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) to ensure the NAVLE continues to be a fair and impartial assessment of candidates’ entry-level knowledge, skills, and abilities.

ICVA would like to inform all NAVLE candidates of an upcoming update to the NAVLE retake policy. Beginning with the March 2026 NAVLE testing window, all candidates will be granted five (5) new opportunities to take the NAVLE, regardless of their prior testing history.

ICVA is currently seeking Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to complete a recruitment survey to assist with finding SMEs for the NAVLE Practice Analysis. ICVA will need a wide range of experience to complete the panels at upcoming sessions, so interested veterinarians from all aspects of the profession are encouraged to participate in the survey.

The ICVA has sent out a call for nominations for one (1) open position on the Assessment Development Committee (ADC). Nominees should have knowledge and experience with bovine-beef in the context of private clinical practice and/or practice of veterinary medicine at accredited veterinary schools.