The North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE®) Guide for DVM4 students

What is the NAVLE?

The North American Veterinary Licensing Examination is a requirement for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in all licensing jurisdictions in North America (US and Canada). It consists of 360 clinically-relevant multiple choice questions which are aimed at "day 1" skills in general clinical veterinary practice.

It is taken throughout North America and at certain overseas sites at computer testing centres.

The NAVLE test is administered by the International Council of Veterinary Assessment (ICVA). This is not part of the AVMA, but an independent not-for-profit organisation with directors drawn from the AVMA, Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, and US practitioner associations.

Who is eligible to sit the NAVLE?

• Graduates of schools accredited by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
• Senior students at AVMA-accredited schools who have an expected graduation date no later than ten months (eight months in some states) from the last date of the applicable testing window (i.e. final year students).

It is also important to note that while the NAVLE is a requirement to enter into veterinary medical practice in North America, it may not be required for graduates who specifically wish to undertake an internship or residency in a US or Canadian university veterinary faculty (depending on the program), and do not intend to enter private practice there.

When is the NAVLE offered?

The NAVLE can be taken during two testing windows each year: mid-April and late November/early December.