About the NBVME
Updated April 3, 2012
What is the NBVME?
The NBVME is an independent not for profit corporation (with 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service) incorporated in the State of Illinois. Quoting from its Bylaws, "The corporation is organized and operated for the purpose of providing standard examinations that may be used by the states, territories, or dependencies of the United States, or provinces of Canada as part of their licensure procedure for veterinarians."
Who runs the NBVME?
The NBVME consists of 13 members, who serve as its Directors. The members are appointed directly by the organizations they represent, and serve for a maximum of three, three year terms. Members, all but one of whom are veterinarians, are appointed by the following organizations:
- American Association of Veterinary State Boards (4 members, including one public member)
- American Animal Hospital Association (2 members)
- American Association of Bovine Practitioners (1 member)
- American Association of Equine Practitioners (1 member)
- American Association of Swine Veterinarians (1 member)
- Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association (1 member)
- National Examining Board of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (1 member)
The NBVME hires an Executive Director, who serves as the primary staff person for the organization and as an ex-officio member of the board.
When does the NBVME meet?
The NBVME meets in the summer, in January, and in April for the NAVLE form review. Except for Executive Sessions, NBVME meetings are open to guests.
How is the NBVME funded?
The NBVME derives the majority of its income from examination fees. The NBVME is audited annually, and copies of its audit are available upon request. Since it is a 501(c)(3) organization, the NBVME is required to file a Form 990 annually with the Internal Revenue Service. A copy of the NBVME's most recent IRS Form 990 is available on the Internet at www.guidestar.org.
What does the NBVME do?
The NBVME develops the following examinations:
- The North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE), a 360 item computer based multiple choice examination, administered during two testing windows per year. The NAVLE replaced both the NBE and CCT, beginning in November 2000.
- Species Specific Examinations in companion animal and equine medicine, each consisting of 100 multiple choice questions, offered to licensing boards for use in disciplinary cases and for other purposes since 1997.
- The Qualifying Examination (QE), a 300 item computer based basic science examination developed for use by the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE) of the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). The QE was offered for the first time in August 2002.
- The Veterinary Clinical Skills Assessment (VCSA), a two day hands on practical examination, developed for use in the PAVE program to evaluate clinical and communication skills of graduates of non-accredited veterinary colleges. The VCSA was offered for the first time in October 2005.
The NBVME office processes applications and fees for all NAVLE candidates, and handles NAVLE applications, approvals, and score reports for 25 state licensing boards.
The NBVME conducts periodic job analyses to determine the important knowledge and skills needed by entry level veterinarians. The most recent NAVLE job analysis was completed and published in 2010.
The NBVME is responsible for determining the content and format of its examinations, and for setting a recommended passing score for each examination.
The NBVME appoints a 10-member Examination Development Advisory Board, consisting of content experts who assist with NAVLE development and scoring. Other individuals are hired from time to time as consultants to support other examination development activities.
The NAVLE and the QE are developed in cooperation with the National Board of Medical Examiners in Philadelphia.
In 2008, the NBVME began working with veterinary medical specialty boards to provide test development, scoring, and other psychometric services to those organizations. These services are provided by an outside consultant, working under contract to the NBVME.
The NBVME supports periodic research projects designed to enhance and improve its examination programs.
The NBVME keeps abreast of new developments in professional licensure through memberships in a variety of organizations and through attendance at national and international conferences.
The NBVME works closely with the American Association of Veterinary State Boards in an effort to provide the examinations that licensing boards need to support their public protection mission. The NBVME nominates a member to serve on the AAVSB's PAVE Committee.
How can I learn more about the NBVME?
The NBVME maintains this web site where current information on examinations and other NBVME activities is posted.
Since 1995, the NBVME has published a quarterly newsletter, the National Board Report. The newsletter is mailed to each licensing board in North America, each veterinary college, each state and provincial veterinary medical association, key AVMA leaders and staff, and other interested parties.
The NBVME welcomes input on its programs. For more information, contact the NBVME office.
National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, Post Office Box 1356, Bismarck, ND 58502
phone: 701-224-0332; fax: 701-224-0435; e-mail: mail@nbvme.org
