NAVLE for International Veterinary Graduates: Complete 2026 Guide

International veterinary graduates face a longer path to NAVLE eligibility than domestic graduates. The process requires completing a credentialing pathway before you can even apply for the exam. This guide walks through every step, from the two pathways available to you through preparation strategy and state licensing requirements.

Can International Vets Take the NAVLE?

Yes, but only after completing an approved credentialing pathway. Graduates of veterinary schools outside the US and Canada cannot apply directly to sit for the NAVLE. They must first demonstrate that their veterinary education meets North American standards through one of two programs:

• ECFVG (Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates), administered by the AVMA
• PAVE (Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence), administered by the AAVSB

Completing either pathway results in a certificate that makes you eligible to apply for the NAVLE through ICVA. After passing the NAVLE, you apply for licensure in the state or province where you intend to practice.