Can You Switch From ECFVG to PAVE (or PAVE to ECFVG)?
Yes, you can move from ECFVG to PAVE, or from PAVE to ECFVG, but you start the new program's own steps from the beginning. The science exams do not cross over: a BCSE pass does not count toward PAVE, and a QSE pass does not count toward ECFVG. Your NAVLE result is different, because it is the same licensing exam whichever program made you eligible. This article sets out what carries over, what you would redo, and when a switch is worth it. For the full comparison of the two programs, start with our PAVE vs ECFVG guide.
Last verified on 6 October 2026 against the AAVSB's PAVE pages, handbook and Standards and Policies, the ICVA NAVLE page and the CVMA National Examining Board. Neither the AAVSB nor the AVMA publishes a policy on moving between the two programs, so before you pay any fees, email both offices (pave@aavsb.org and ECFVG@avma.org) with your exact history. This is general information, not legal or licensing advice, and rules change. navleexam.com is not affiliated with the AAVSB, AVMA, ICVA or CVMA.
Why People Think About Switching
The two programs reach the same goal, eligibility for licensure, by different routes. ECFVG (run by the AVMA) uses the BCSE and then a three-day practical exam, the Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE). PAVE (run by the AAVSB) uses the Qualifying Science Examination (QSE) and then an Evaluated Clinical Experience (ECE), about a year of rotations as a student at an AVMA-accredited school. The reasons people consider a change usually fall into a few groups:
- Cost changes. ECFVG's CPE fee rose to $12,804 for the 2026 cycle, which made some candidates rethink. The PAVE clinical year usually costs far more in tuition and living costs, though, so a switch on cost alone rarely adds up.
- Seats and waits. CPE seats are limited. ECE places are limited too, and the AAVSB warns that passing the QSE does not guarantee one.
- Exam fit. Some candidates who keep failing one science exam wonder whether the other would suit them better.
- Destination. A move of state or country changes which certificate you need. Five US states do not accept PAVE, and Canada accepts PAVE only for QSE passes since September 2014.
- Clinical confidence. Some candidates would rather do a supervised clinical year than a single high-stakes practical exam.
What Carries Over and What Does Not
| Item | ECFVG to PAVE | PAVE to ECFVG |
|---|---|---|
| Science exam pass | BCSE does not count; you must pass the QSE | QSE does not count; you must pass the BCSE |
| Clinical step | A CPE pass is not part of PAVE; you still need the ECE | ECE rotations are not part of ECFVG; you still need the CPE |
| NAVLE result | Same exam; your result stays on record with the AAVSB | Same |
| Application and documents | New PAVE application and fees; documents sent to the AAVSB under its rules | New ECFVG enrollment and fees; documents sent to the AVMA under its rules |
| English proof | Must meet PAVE's list (TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic section minimums, or English-medium education) | Must meet ECFVG's list and score rules |
| School eligibility | Both programs require a school on the AVMA ECFVG-listed directory | Same |
The science exams are separate
The QSE and BCSE are different exams owned by different organizations. ICVA's NAVLE rules make the link explicit: ECFVG candidates must have completed the BCSE requirement, and PAVE candidates the QSE requirement, before a licensing board can approve them for the NAVLE. Nothing in the AAVSB's published rules gives credit for a BCSE pass, so plan on sitting the QSE in full if you move to PAVE. For how the two exams differ in content and format, see QSE vs BCSE.
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