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Information for Graduates of Non-Accredited Schools
Updated April 30, 2010
The following information is for NAVLE candidates who are graduates of or students enrolled in veterinary schools not accredited by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). For a list of AVMA accredited schools, please consult the AVMA website.
There are two certification programs for graduates of non-accredited veterinary schools: the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG), and the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE).
ECFVG (AVMA)
The Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) program is a certification program for graduates of non-accredited veterinary schools operated by the American Veterinary Medical Association. All licensing boards accept ECFVG certificates for candidates seeking licensure.
The ECFVG program consists of four steps. The first step is application and credentials verification, which requires the applicant to demonstrate that they are a graduate of a recognized (but not AVMA-accredited) school of veterinary medicine. The second step requires demonstration of English proficiency. Beginning in 2007, the third step is passing the ECFVG's new basic and clinical sciences examination, and the fourth step is passing a three and a half day hands-on clinical skills examination (the Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE)).
Beginning with the fall 2007 NAVLE administration, ECFVG candidates must pass the ECFVG's step 3 examination before they can be approved by a licensing board to take the NAVLE.
The NBVME previously nominated one member to serve on the ECFVG, but that position was eliminated by the AVMA in 2005.
For more information on the ECFVG program, contact:
Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates
American Veterinary Medical Association
1931 N. Meacham Rd., Suite 100
Schaumburg, IL 60173-4360
Telephone: 847-925-8070, extension 6623
Fax: 847-925-1329
E-mail: ecfvg@avma.org
Web site: http://www.avma.org/education/ecfvg
PAVE (AAVSB)
The Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE) is a certification program for graduates of non-accredited veterinary schools operated by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). About 31 licensing jurisdictions presently accept PAVE certificates in addition to ECFVG certificates.
PAVE, like ECFVG, has four steps. Step 1 is application and credentials review, and step 2 is demonstration of English proficiency. PAVE step 3 requires candidates to pass the NBVME's Qualifying Examination, designed to assess knowledge in basic science areas taught in the first three years of an accredited veterinary school, but not covered directly on the NAVLE. PAVE step 4 requires candidates to demonstrate clinical proficiency by completing at least 12 months of evaluated clinical experience at an accredited veterinary school, or by passing the Veterinary Clinical Skills Assessment (VCSA), a hands-on clinical skills examination developed by the NBVME.
Beginning with the fall 2007 NAVLE administration, PAVE candidates must pass the Qualifying Examination (PAVE step 3) before they can be approved by a licensing board to take the NAVLE.
The NBVME nominates one member to serve on the PAVE Committee.
For more information on the PAVE program, contact:
American Association of Veterinary State Boards
380 W. 22nd. St., Suite 101
Kansas City, MO 64108
Telephone: 816-931-1504 or 877-698-8482, extension 222
Fax: 816-931-1604
E-mail: info@aavsb.org
Web site: http://www.aavsb.org
Canada
Canada has its own certification requirements for international veterinary graduates. Contact the National Examining Board in Ottawa for more information.
Foreign Veterinary Graduates and the NAVLE
Individual licensing boards are responsible for determining the eligibility of candidates to sit for the NAVLE. As noted above, beginning with the 2007-2008 NAVLE administrations, ECFVG and PAVE candidates must have completed the Step 3 examination requirement of the respective program before they can be approved by a licensing board to take the NAVLE.
All licensure candidates, whether they are graduates of accredited or non-accredited schools, must pass the NAVLE in order to be licensed to practice veterinary medicine by any licensing board in North America.