Information for NAVLE Candidates

Updated December 14, 2009

Exam Dates

The NAVLE will be administered during the following testing windows:

April 12-24, 2010
November 15 - December 11, 2010
April 11-23, 2011

NAVLE Candidate Bulletin

The Bulletin of Information for NAVLE Candidates is available on this site.

NAVLE Retake Policy

Repeating candidates who have taken the NAVLE at least three times since the fall 2007 testing window should consider the NBVME NAVLE Retake Policy in determining their eligibility for reapplication.

NAVLE Application Process - Two Applications Required

All NAVLE candidates must be approved by a licensing entity to take the examination.

The NAVLE application process requires that two applications be submitted:

An NBVME NAVLE application must be submitted.
A separate NAVLE application must also be submitted through a state or territorial licensing board, who must approve you to take the examination.

It is your responsibility to make sure both the NBVME and your licensing board office have received all the necessary paperwork by their deadlines in order for you to be registered and approved to take the NAVLE.

1. NBVME NAVLE Application

All NAVLE candidates must submit an NBVME NAVLE application form, including repeating candidates. When completing the NAVLE application you must enter your name exactly as it appears on the non-expired government-issued photo identification you plan on presenting at the testing center on the day of your examination. The name on your identification must exactly match the name on your issued Scheduling Permit or you will not be allowed to take the NAVLE.

Each licensing board sets its own NAVLE application and fee payment procedures. Most boards prefer that candidates submit their NBVME NAVLE application and payment directly to the NBVME office, but some boards require candidates to submit their NBVME NAVLE application and payment through the licensing board.

The table below lists the preferences of each licensing board regarding their procedures for submission of the NBVME NAVLE application and payment of the NAVLE fee. Candidates should always check with the licensing board to be sure they are following the board's preferred application procedures.

Table of Licensing Board NAVLE Application Preferences

As outlined in the above table:

Candidates applying through the following boards must submit their NBVME application and payment directly to the board. These candidates should contact their board to determine the procedure and deadline for application submission:

Candidates applying through all other licensing boards may submit their NBVME NAVLE application and payment directly to the NBVME office. The application may be submitted on-line, with payment of the NAVLE fee by Visa or MasterCard, or a paper application can be submitted, along with payment of the NAVLE fee by check or money order (payable in U.S. funds). Candidates applying through the Kansas and Mississippi boards have the option of submitting their NBVME NAVLE application directly to the NBVME office, or to the state board office.

If you are submitting your NBVME NAVLE application and payment directly to the NBVME office, the deadline for receipt of the application in the NBVME office is January 3 for the April testing window and August 1 for the November-December testing window. If a paper application is submitted, it must be received in the NBVME office by the deadline date.

NBVME On-Line NAVLE Application and Payment

Most candidates have the option to complete the NAVLE application on-line and pay the NAVLE fee by credit card. Credit cards accepted include Visa and MasterCard. When completing the form enter your name exactly as it appears on the non-expired government-issued photo identification you plan on presenting at the testing center on the day of your examination. Click the link below to access the on-line application form.

On-line NAVLE Application

NBVME Paper NAVLE Application Form and Payment

A NAVLE application form is included in the printed NAVLE Candidate Bulletin. A pdf version of the NAVLE application form is available below. If you are submitting a paper application, payment of the NAVLE fee can be made by personal check, cashier's check or certified check or money order, payable in U.S. funds. When completing the form enter your name exactly as it appears on the non-expired government-issued photo identification you plan on presenting at the testing center on the day of your examination.

NAVLE Application Form (pdf file)

The NAVLE fee is non-refundable. However, if you apply for the NAVLE and subsequently decide you do not want to take the examination, a refund will be considered if you contact the NBVME prior to your name being sent to the test vendor, which is typically in mid-August for the fall NAVLE and mid-January for the April NAVLE.

2. State/Territorial Licensing Board Application for NAVLE Approval

All NAVLE candidates must also submit a NAVLE application through one state or territorial licensing entity. The licensing board must then approve the candidate's application and notify the NBVME of that approval before the candidate will be allowed to take the NAVLE.

Each licensing board has its own board-specific NAVLE application form and its own deadline and fees for that application. Candidates should always check with the licensing board to be sure they are providing the board with all required documentation.

Contact the licensing board office where you want a license to practice veterinary medicine, and request their NAVLE application packet. The packet should include a copy of the NAVLE Candidate Bulletin. For a list of licensing boards and contact information click the link below.

List of licensing boards

If you are applying for NAVLE approval through the California Veterinary Medical Board and meet the following criteria:

You are a senior student at an AVMA accredited school

AND you intend to submit your NBVME NAVLE application by PAPER (rather than on-line)

AND you wish to grant consent for release of your NAVLE score information to your veterinary school

then you must download the PDF consent statement below and include it with your paper application submission. Both the paper NBVME NAVLE application and the consent statement should be mailed to the NBVME office at: P.O. Box 1356, Bismarck, ND 58502

California Waiver Page - Consent Statement

If you are applying through one of the following state boards, click on the link provided below for additional information.

Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Virginia candidates

If you are a candidate with a documented disability wanting to test with special accommodations, your request for special testing accommodations must be submitted to the licensing board through which you are applying to take the NAVLE. Contact your licensing board early so you can submit your disability documentation before the NAVLE application deadline.

Return all required paperwork to the licensing board office, or their designated processor, by their deadline, so the board can approve you to take the NAVLE. Each licensing board sets its own deadline for receipt of the application for NAVLE approval.

Please note that a licensing board's NAVLE application deadline may be different than their licensure application deadline. The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) maintains a database of all state licensing board requirements: AAVSB Directory of Veterinary Licensing Requirements.

November-December 2009 Repeating Candidates

If you took the NAVLE during the November-December 2009 testing window and did not pass, and you wish to apply for the April 2010 examination, in most cases you are already approved by the same licensing board to take the NAVLE again in April. However, you should always check with your board to determine their reapplication requirements, because some boards have additional documentation that must be submitted. Repeating candidates must also take into consideration the NAVLE retake policy if they have taken and failed the examination at least three times since the fall 2007 administration. The NBVME will work with licensing boards to accommodate all candidates who did not pass the examination in November-December and who want to take it again in April, as long as they reapply through the same licensing board as soon as they receive their score reports, and as long as they qualify under that board's retake policy.

Application Deadlines

Regarding the NBVME NAVLE application:

If you are applying for NAVLE approval through a licensing board that prefers you to submit the NBVME NAVLE application and fee directly to the NBVME office, the deadline for receipt of that application is August 1 for the November-December testing window and January 3 for the April testing window. NBVME NAVLE applications must be received in the NBVME office (by mail or on-line) by the deadline date.

If you are applying for NAVLE approval through a licensing board that prefers you to submit the NBVME NAVLE application and fee directly to the licensing board, you must follow the application deadline that board establishes (this includes candidates applying through the Canadian NEB, Puerto Rico, and Wyoming).

Regarding the licensing board application for NAVLE approval:

Each licensing board sets its own deadline for receipt of their NAVLE application and fee, and candidates should check with the board through which they are applying to determine that board's application deadline date. The latest deadline for any board is August 1 and January 3.

Candidates applying through one of the fifteen licensing boards for which the NBVME processes applications must meet the standard application deadline dates of August 1 for the November-December administration and January 3 for the April administration. This includes candidates applying through Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Virginia.

November-December 2009 Repeating Candidates

The deadline for receipt of the NBVME NAVLE application for those candidates who did not pass the November-December 2009 examination, and who wish to apply for the April 2010 examination, is February 15, 2010.

November-December repeating candidates should also contact the same licensing board that approved them to take the fall examination to determine their board's reapplication requirements and deadline for the April NAVLE.

NAVLE Scheduling Permits and Prometric Testing Centers

If you are approved by a licensing board to take the NAVLE, and you have submitted the NBVME NAVLE application and paid the fee, you will receive a Scheduling Permit approximately 45 days prior to the opening of the testing window. If you have not received a permit by 5 weeks prior to the opening of the testing window, notify NBVME immediately.

Candidates with documented disabilities who have been granted test accommodations will receive special Scheduling Permits. All requests for accommodations must be approved by your licensing board and the NBVME. See the NAVLE Candidate Bulletin for more information.

The Scheduling Permit will be mailed to the address indicated on your NBVME NAVLE application form. If you have a change of address, you must notify NBVME in writing or via e-mail at: mail@nbvme.org. You should also notify the licensing board through which you applied to take the NAVLE because they are the ones who send out your score report.

Schedule your testing appointment through Prometric as soon as you receive your Permit in order to get the date and center you prefer. You can locate a testing center at www.prometric.com.

When scheduling your testing appointment on-line, you must select the proper test type and testing program options from the Prometric home page or you will not be able to schedule your exam. On the Prometric site, 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

Once these options are selected you can follow the Prometric prompts to schedule your testing appointment.

Print your Prometric confirmation number, or record the number on your Scheduling Permit in the designated area near the bottom of the back side.

Confirm your testing appointment through the Prometric web site two weeks prior to your testing date. If you are unable to access the web, your appointment can be confirmed by calling Prometric at the phone number listed on your Scheduling Permit.

Arrive at the testing center 30 minutes prior to your appointment with your non-expired government-issued photo identification AND your Scheduling Permit. You will not be admitted to the test center if you do not have your Scheduling Permit with you. The first and last names on your ID and Permit must exactly match or admittance into the test will be denied.

For additonal information on Prometric Testing Centers click on the links below:

Procedures followed at the Prometric Testing Center for the NAVLE administration (pdf file)

General information from Prometric web site

NAVLE Score Reports and Score Transfers

Your initial NAVLE score will be reported to the board through which you applied to take the examination, at no additional cost to you. Your licensing board is responsible for mailing the score report to you. Scores for the November-December testing window are reported in late January, and scores for the April testing window are reported in mid-May.

Transfers of NAVLE scores to additional licensing boards are handled through the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) office. Score transfers are not processed by the NBVME. To request a transfer of your NAVLE scores you should contact the Veterinary Information Verifying Agency (VIVA) of the AAVSB. Score transfers can be processed through the VIVA link on the AAVSB web site. The VIVA office can also be contact by telephone toll free at: 877-798-VIVA; or by e-mail at: info@aavsb.org.

A VIVA score report form is also available below as a pdf file for printing:

VIVA Score Transfer Application Form (pdf file)

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