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North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE®)
Frequently Asked Questions...
Updated April 26, 2010
...about the NAVLE in general
When is NAVLE given?
The NAVLE is given during testing windows in the fall and spring. The 2010-2011 windows are November 15 - December 11, 2010 and April 11-23, 2011. Candidates can take the NAVLE on any day during the testing window, subject to availability of space. Testing centers are open Monday through Friday, and many are also open on Saturday.
Where is NAVLE given?
The NAVLE is given at testing centers operated by Prometric. There are about 300 centers in North America. Look for sites listed for the "National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners" and then select "NAVLE" or "NAVLF (French version)." The NAVLE is offered at Prometric centers in the US, Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, and in Canada. The NAVLE is also offered at selected testing centers overseas, in countries where there is an AVMA accredited veterinary school. Scheduling priority for overseas testing is given to candidates from AVMA accredited veterinary schools.
What are the testing centers like?
Prometric testing centers typically consist of a small office complex with 6 to 12 individual computer testing stations. One or more Prometric staff members will be on hand to register candidates and supervise the testing session. Candidates will have their photograph taken at the center, and the sessions will be monitored by video camera. Prometric administers a variety of educational, certification, and licensure tests, so NAVLE candidates may be at a Prometric center along with candidates taking other computer based tests.
When are candidates eligible to take the NAVLE?
In most licensing jurisdictions, candidates may take the NAVLE for the first time on any day during the testing window 8 months prior to their anticipated graduation. In other words, your expected graduation date must be 8 months or less from the last day of the scheduled testing window.
Who may take the NAVLE?
In order to take the NAVLE, candidates must be approved to do so by a licensing board in the United States or Canada. Generally, this means that candidates must be senior students at or graduates of AVMA accredited schools or colleges of veterinary medicine, or candidates enrolled in or who hold certificates issued by the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) program or the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE). ECFVG and PAVE candidates must have passed the step 3 examination of their respective program before the application deadline to be eligible for the NAVLE. In the United States, candidates apply through a state or territorial licensing board. In Canada, NAVLE applications are submitted through the National Examining Board in Ottawa.
Licensing boards forward lists of eligible candidates to the NBVME office. The NBVME sends a master list of approved candidates to the testing contractor, the National Board of Medical Examiners, where Scheduling Permits are generated and posted to an on-line server for access by candidates. The NBVME then e-mails each approved candidate instructions on accessing and downloading their Scheduling Permit approximately 45 days prior to the opening of the testing window. The candidate prints their Scheduling Permit for use in making an appointment at a testing center, and for entrance into the examination.
How many times can I take the NAVLE?
Once during each testing window. Some licensing boards restrict the number of retakes. Beginning with the fall 2007 testing window, the NBVME's policy is to limit candidates to 5 attempts at the NAVLE in a 5 year period from the first attempt, unless the individual licensing board permits more than 5 attempts, or restricts an applicant to fewer than 5 attempts, in which case the state law prevails. Attempts made prior to the fall 2007 testing window do not count toward the 5 attempt limit. Additional information on the NBVME retake policy can be found here.
Is the NAVLE given by the licensing boards?
Boards are not involved in the administration of the NAVLE. They only have to approve candidates to take the NAVLE and then report scores to those candidates. Therefore, candidates can apply to take the NAVLE through any one licensing board in the US where they intend to seek licensure (Canadian candidates must apply through the National Examining Board in Ottawa). For example, a candidate who is attending veterinary school in Colorado and who wants to practice in North Dakota may apply for NAVLE approval through the North Dakota Board instead of having to apply through Colorado first and then have examination scores transferred (for an additional fee) to North Dakota. Of course, since the NAVLE is offered at multiple sites, if that same candidate is on an externship in New York City in December, he or she would be able to take the NAVLE at a testing center in New York. Candidates do not have to take the NAVLE at a testing center located in the same state through which they were approved to take the examination.
Is there a practice examination available?
Yes. A free NAVLE tutorial is available on this website. The NAVLE Candidate Bulletin includes 60 practice items in printed form. A link to the web-based NAVLE self-assessments is also available on this site.
Are other study materials available?
The NBVME does not recommend study materials produced by third parties. The content coverage of the NAVLE is outlined in the NAVLE Test Specifications. The NAVLE Job Analysis is the basis for development of items on the NAVLE.
What's a NAVID and what is it used for?
The NBVME assigns each NAVLE candidate a NAVLE identification number (NAVID) to uniquely identify their NBVME candidate record. The NAVID is used when you correspond with the NBVME, when you request a score transfer through the AAVSB to another licensing entity, when reapplying for the NAVLE (if you have taken the NAVLE before and need to repeat the exam), and to access and download your NAVLE Scheduling Permit on-line. Also, some state licensing boards use the NAVID to allow you to access your pass-fail status on-line when NAVLE scores become available after a testing window has closed.
If my address has changed since I applied for the NAVLE, what should I do?
If you have a change of address, you must notify the NBVME in writing or via e-mail. Your NAVLE score report will be sent to the address you entered on your state NAVLE application, so you must also notify the licensing board through which you applied to take the NAVLE (or their designated NAVLE application processor) because they are the ones who send out your score report to you.
How can I get my NAVLE scores transferred to another state licensing board?
The NBVME does not process score transfers. Licensing boards will require an official score report, and an official NAVLE score transfer can be requested through the Veterinary Information Verifying Agency (VIVA), operated by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). A score transfer request can be submitted through the AAVSB website.
How can I obtain more information on the NAVLE?
This website is updated periodically, so be sure to check back from time to time for the latest information.
...about the NAVLE application process
How do I apply to take the NAVLE?
Two applications must be submitted - an application through a licensing entity for approval to take the NAVLE, and the NBVME NAVLE application.
Depending on the preferences of the individual licensing board, candidates have two ways to apply for the NAVLE. The NBVME NAVLE application form is included in the printed version of the Candidate Bulletin, which is available from licensing boards. Plain text and pdf versions of the Candidate Bulletin are available on this website. Candidates complete the paper form and either send it directly to the NBVME with their payment, or send it to the licensing board, which will then forward it to the NBVME.
The NBVME also has an electronic application, which candidates are able to complete on-line, through this website. For additional information refer to the NAVLE Information and Application page on this site, where a chart of NAVLE application procedures is listed by state.
A summary of the NAVLE application process is available here.
Should I submit my state or national NAVLE application first?
The NBVME NAVLE application can be submitted at any time during the application period. Candidates do not have to wait for NAVLE approval from their licensing board before submitting the national application. If you submit an NBVME NAVLE application, but are not approved by a licensing board to take the NAVLE, the NBVME office will refund your NAVLE fee.
The NBVME office approves candidates on behalf of some state licensing boards. For these states, the NBVME has made available an on-line application process. If you are applying through one of these state boards, and you want to submit your state NAVLE application on-line, you must submit your national on-line application first. Click here for additional information on the application process for candidates applying for NAVLE approval through Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia.
All candidates are encouraged to submit both state and national applications early to allow time to resolve any application issues before the deadline date.
What is the deadline for application?
The NBVME NAVLE application deadline is August 1 for the November-December testing window and January 3 for the April testing window. State licensing board NAVLE application deadlines vary, so you should contact your chosen board to determine their exact application requirements and deadlines. In order to be on the master list and be issued a Scheduling Permit, the NBVME must have your NAVLE application, your name must be on a list of approved candidates sent to us by a licensing board, and we must have received payment for the examination.
When and how do I pay for the NAVLE?
The method of payment varies from one board to the other, and also depends on whether you submit a paper application form or apply on-line. Most boards prefer that candidates pay the NAVLE fee directly to the NBVME. In these cases, you will either apply on-line and pay by credit card, or send a check directly to the NBVME office with your paper NAVLE application form.
The Canadian National Examining Board (NEB), the Puerto Rico Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and the Wyoming Board of Veterinary Medicine prefer to collect all candidate fees themselves. Obviously, it is essential that candidates use the payment method established by the individual licensing board.
A chart listing the application and fee payment preferences of each licensing board can be found on the NAVLE Information and Application page.
How much does the NAVLE cost?
The NAVLE fee for the 2010-2011 testing cycle is $550, in US funds. There is an additional $275 fee for overseas testing.
Why do you need my e-mail address?
Candidates are provided important NAVLE information on an ongoing basis via e-mail correspondence from the NBVME, so candidates should check their e-mail frequently. Information regarding accessing, downloading and printing NAVLE Scheduling Permits on-line is also provided via e-mail. Candidates should ensure that any SPAM filters installed on their computer allow incoming e-mail messages from e-mail addresses ending in "nbvme.org".
What about candidates with disabilities?
Candidates with documented disabilities must request specific accommodations prior to, or at the time of their initial application to the licensing board. The licensing board, in cooperation with the NBVME and the testing company, works with the candidate to provide accommodations that are appropriate to the disability. It takes time to review the documentation necessary to approve test accommodations, so submitting your application and accommodation materials early is encouraged.
Can you explain the consent statement on the NBVME application form that refers to score reporting?
The consent statement only applies to NAVLE candidates who are senior students at AVMA accredited veterinary schools. If the candidate grants consent, they are authorizing the NBVME to report their score, and diagnostic report if applicable, identified by name, to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at their veterinary school (or his/her designee). These reports for consenting students will be sent to veterinary schools after scores are reported to licensing boards and candidates. Schools are required to keep this information confidential, the information will not be made a part of the candidate's academic record, the veterinary schools can use the information only for internal purposes, and a candidate's decision whether to release his or her score will not affect their student status. Candidates are under no obligation to agree to the consent statement, and if consent is not granted, the candidate's score information will not be reported to their school. Once the testing window has opened a candidate cannot change their consent status.
How can I change the licensing board I'm applying through if I accidently put the wrong state on my NBVME application?
You must notify the NBVME in writing (e-mail notification is fine) so your NAVLE application record can be updated with the correct licensing board information. You must also submit the required application and documentation to the licensing board through which you are seeking NAVLE approval before their deadline date.
After the application deadline has passed, licensing boards send their list of approved NAVLE candidates to the NBVME. The NBVME compares the state approvals to the state of application listed by the candidate. These listed states must match, or the candidate's opportunity to take the NAVLE could be delayed.
Can I get a refund of my NAVLE application fee if I change my mind about taking the exam?
The NAVLE fee is nonrefundable. If you do not take the examination during the testing window for which you applied, you must submit a new application and pay the full fee to take the NAVLE during a subsequent window. If there are extenuating circumstances that make it impossible for you to take the NAVLE once you have submitted your application and paid your fee, contact the NBVME office for guidance.
Can I apply for the NAVLE if I've taken the BCSE and will have my score before the testing window starts, but after the application deadline date?
No. If you are enrolled in the ECFVG program you must have already passed the BCSE in order to be eligible for the NAVLE. The licensing entity through which you apply to take the NAVLE will require verification from the ECFVG that you have passed the BCSE, and that state application and supporting documentation must be submitted prior to the application deadline date. Thus, you will have to wait until the BCSE scores are released, and if you do receive a passing score, could apply for the NAVLE in the next testing window.
If I failed the NAVLE how do I reapply for the next testing window?
All candidates applying for the November-December testing window, regardless of whether they have applied for and taken the exam previously, will need to start the application process over again. Two applications will need to be submitted; the NBVME application and an application through a state or territorial licensing entity. The candidate's application will need to be approved by a licensing board in order to be eligible to take the NAVLE. This information is outlined on the NAVLE application section of this site.
Candidates who fail the November-December NAVLE and want to reapply for the subsequent April exam will have to resubmit the NBVME NAVLE application and fee. An extended application deadline is offered for these repeating candidates. Most state licensing boards automatically reapprove their November-December applicants for the April exam, but this is not always the case. You must check with your state licensing board to determine their requirements.
...about your NAVLE Scheduling Permit and scheduling your examination
What's a Scheduling Permit?
The NAVLE Scheduling Permit is a document issued to approved candidates that is used to schedule your examination with Prometric. It is also needed for entrance into the testing center the day you take the NAVLE. Candidates who are approved by their licensing board to take the NAVLE will receive an e-mail from the NBVME with instructions on how to access and download their permit on-line, about 5 weeks prior to the start of the testing window. Candidates must print their permit because it contains a unique scheduling number that allows the candidate to schedule their testing appointment with Prometric, either on-line or by telephone.
Print and keep your Scheduling Permit in a safe location because you will need it with you for admittance to the testing center when you appear for the NAVLE. You will not be admitted without it.
You can access and reprint your on-line permit, but you must print it prior to your testing appointment because you cannot print your permit at the Prometric testing center, and the NBVME will not provide a faxed copy.
When can I schedule my examination?
Candidates should contact Prometric (on the website or by telephone) to schedule their examination as soon as possible after they receive their Scheduling Permit. Candidates who wait too long may not be able to test on the date or at the location they prefer. Do not contact Prometric until you have received your Scheduling Permit from the NBVME office.
Why won't the Prometric website allow me to schedule my exam even though I have my Scheduling Permit?
First, make sure you are using the scheduling number located on your Scheduling Permit, and not one of the other listed numbers.
Also, you may have selected the wrong options on the Prometric website. You must choose the correct test type and testing program. On the Prometric home page, in the 'For Test Takers' area, the following options should be selected from the drop-down menus:
Test type = Academic, Professional Licensure & Certification, Corporate and Government
Testing Program = National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
Do I have to take the NAVLE at a specific testing center?
No. When you receive your Scheduling Permit, you can schedule on-line through the Prometric website, or call Prometric and schedule your examination on the date and at the location you prefer, subject to availability of space at the testing center on that date. Candidates who may be away from their primary residence during the testing window (on vacation or on an externship, for example), can schedule the NAVLE at a testing center convenient to their location at that time. You do not have to take the NAVLE at a testing center located in the same state that approved you to take the examination.
What should I do if my name on my Scheduling Permit doesn’t exactly match the name on the ID I plan to use for entrance to the NAVLE?
You should contact the NBVME immediately to have your record corrected, as a revised Scheduling Permit will have to be issued for you. The only acceptable name difference is the presence of a middle name, middle initial or suffix on one document and its absence on the other. In the meantime, you can still use the scheduling number on your original permit to contact Prometric to schedule your examination.
If my name has changed since I applied for the NAVLE, what should I do?
You should contact the NBVME office immediately. The name on your Scheduling Permit must match the name on the government-issued photo ID you plan to use for admittance to the Prometric test center the day you take the NAVLE. If your name has changed and your ID has been updated to reflect that name change, a new Scheduling Permit will have to be issued for you.
Some candidates have had a name change, but have not updated their ID. If you do not plan to update your ID prior to taking the NAVLE, your original Scheduling Permit should be OK. Remember, whatever name appears on your ID is the same name that must appear on your Scheduling Permit or you will not be allowed into the testing center.
Can you explain all the different Prometric identification numbers?
The scheduling number is used to schedule your testing appointment with Prometric.
The confirmation number is provided to you by Prometric when you schedule your examination, and you should record this number in the specified area on the bottom of your permit. You will need this number to confirm and/or reschedule your testing appointment.
The Candidate Identification Number (CIN) is used on the day you test, to access your examination.
Can the NBVME provide me the confirmation number Prometric gave me when I scheduled my exam?
No. NBVME does not have access to those confirmation numbers. You will need to have that confirmation number to confirm and/or reschedule your testing appointment, so you should record the number at the time of scheduling. There is a special area on the bottom of your permit where you can note this information. If you schedule your appointment on-line, you can also print out your scheduling information from the Prometric website at the time you schedule.
Can I change my testing appointment?
Yes, but your testing options may be limited depending on the availability of seats at the testing centers. The request must be made by noon Eastern Time at least five business days before your scheduled appointment, and you must speak directly with a Prometric representative to reschedule (leaving a voice mail message is not sufficient). You will need to provide your Prometric confirmation number.
If you need to reschedule but cannot provide at least five business days' notice, you must contact the NBVME to discuss your options. A rescheduling fee will be charged in these situations, and you will have to wait until your eligibility has been reset to reschedule your appointment.
Can I write on my Scheduling Permit?
The bottom of your permit has a designated area where you should record your Prometric confirmation number at the time you schedule your testing appointment. You should not make any other notes on the front side of your permit.
My Scheduling Permit says I need an ID with a photo and signature, but when I renewed my driver's license on-line, it was issued without a photo. Can I use it when I sign in at the Prometric testing center?
No. You will need a current government-issued ID that contains both a recent photograph and your signature. NAVLE candidates may use their passport for identification. Information regarding an expedited passport application is available through the U.S. Department of State's website at: http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/processing/processing_1740.html#
I am scheduled to take the NAVLE on the last day of the testing window and wonder what will happen if I am sick that day?
If you are unable to take the examination as scheduled on the last day of the testing window, you may have to wait until the next testing window to take the NAVLE and will have to submit the application and fee once again. That is one reason the NBVME encourages candidates not to schedule on the last day the examination is offered.
What happens if I forget my Scheduling Permit when I appear for the NAVLE?
You will not be admitted to the testing center without your printed NAVLE Scheduling Permit. Make sure you download and print your permit prior to your testing date, because you cannot print your permit at the Prometric testing center when you appear for your examination, and the NBVME will not provide a faxed copy. If you forget your permit, contact the NBVME office regarding the possiblity of rescheduling your examination. If rescheduling is possible, there may be fees involved in resetting your testing eligibility and reactivating your permit.
...about the exam
What kind of exam is the NAVLE?
The NAVLE consists of 360 multiple choice questions (items), administered one at a time on the computer. Sixty of the items are unscored pretest items, but the identity of these items is not apparent, and they are dispersed throughout the test. Approximately 10% of the items on the NAVLE include graphic or pictorial information relevant to the item (photograph, radiograph, drawing, chart, etc.). All NAVLE items are relevant to entry level private clinical practice.
What does the NAVLE cover?
The NAVLE is based on an examination blueprint. The blueprint has two dimensions: activities and animal species. Activities are tasks performed by entry-level veterinarians in private clinical practice. The NAVLE covers all animal species commonly seen by entry level practicing veterinarians.
How much time will I have to take the NAVLE?
You will have a total of 7.5 hours at the test center. This will include a 15 minute orientation and tutorial, 6.5 hours of testing time divided into 6 blocks of 65 minutes each, and 45 minutes of break time, including lunch. Breaks may be taken only between blocks. Each 65 minute block will contain 60 items.
Does each candidate get a different length test?
No. Each NAVLE consists of 360 items.
Do I need special computer skills to take the NAVLE?
No. The NAVLE uses a simple, proven computer interface, that requires only routine mouse or cursor movements, and the use of the mouse or enter key to record the option chosen to answer the question. The NBVME recommends that you practice with the computer-based practice NAVLE before you take the actual examination, so that you are familiar with the computer interface. More information on the computer based practice version of the NAVLE is found on the NAVLE Practice page of this site.
Will I be able to skip items during the exam and go back to them?
The software allows candidates to skip and/or mark items for later review, within each block. Once a block is completed, however, you will not be able to go back and review or change your answers to items in that block.
What is done to prevent a candidate from taking the NAVLE early in the testing window, and then telling his or her classmates what the questions are?
First of all, each candidate must agree to a security statement that they will not disclose any portion of the examination to any other candidate or anyone else. Second, multiple forms of the NAVLE are used, each form balanced with respect to content and difficulty. Third, each form is scrambled as it is administered, so candidates taking the same form do not see the items in the same order.
What is the passing score?
NAVLE scores are expressed on a scale where the passing point is set at 425. If the individual board requests the score to be reported on another scale (where 70 or 75 is passing) that will be done. The actual passing standard is the same in all jurisdictions. The NAVLE uses a fixed, criterion-referenced passing score, and is not graded on a curve. This means that each candidate's performance is measured against a fixed standard, and the passing point does not vary based on the performance of other candidates.
How is the passing score determined?
The passing score is developed using a content-based, or criterion-referenced standard setting procedure. Members of a committee composed of veterinarians representing the various content areas covered by the NAVLE work individually and collectively to determine the minimum score that a candidate has to achieve in order to be judged minimally competent to enter private clinical practice. The passing standard is approved by the NBVME, and is applied to each form of the NAVLE using a procedure called equating. Equating ensures that the passing standard remains constant in spite of minor variations in item difficulty from one form of the NAVLE to another. Raw scores (the number of items that candidates answer correctly) are converted to scaled scores (see above) and the scaled scores are reported to licensing boards and candidates. More information on NAVLE standard setting can be found on the NAVLE page on this website.
Are NAVLE scores reported on-site?
No. The NAVLE is scored after the close of each testing window. Scores are then reported to licensing boards, and boards report scores to candidates. Scores are reported to boards about 4 weeks after the close of each testing window.
How are NAVLE scores reported?
The initial score report is sent to the licensing board through which the candidate applied, and the board then reports the score to the candidate. Subsequent score reports to additional boards are made through the Veterinary Information Verifying Agency (VIVA), operated by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards.
Can I access my NAVLE pass/fail status on-line when scores are released?
Maybe. The licensing board that approved you to take the NAVLE is responsible for reporting your score to you. Some boards have a web-based log-in set up that allows their candidates to view their pass/fail status, or their actual NAVLE score, on-line.
The NBVME processes applications and reports scores on behalf of several state licensing boards. For the November-December 2010 and April 2011 NAVLE, the NBVME will process state NAVLE applications and report NAVLE scores for the following state boards: Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. If you were approved to take the NAVLE through one of these state boards, you will be able to access your pass/fail status by logging into the NBVME NAVLE Score Portal after NAVLE results have been released to boards. A link to this Portal will be activated on the NBVME website within 24 hours of release of scores. Score reports will also be mailed to these candidates.