What Does NAVLE Stand For?

NAVLE stands for the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination. It is the standardized licensing exam that veterinary school graduates must pass to legally practice veterinary medicine in the United States and Canada.

The Full Meaning of NAVLE

Each word in the NAVLE abbreviation carries specific meaning that defines the scope and purpose of the exam:

• North American — The exam is administered across the United States and Canada and is recognized by all 50 US states and all Canadian provinces. It is the single unified licensing standard for the entire continent.
• Veterinary — The NAVLE is designed exclusively for graduates of veterinary medical programs. You must hold or be on track to hold a DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) or VMD (Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris) degree to be eligible.
• Licensing — Passing the NAVLE is a legal requirement, not an optional credential. Without it, you cannot obtain a veterinary license and cannot legally practice veterinary medicine in North America.
• Examination — The NAVLE is a computer-based, multiple-choice exam consisting of 360 questions administered at Prometric testing centers across the continent.

Who Administers the NAVLE?

The NAVLE is developed and administered by the International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA), a nonprofit organization that has overseen the exam since 2000. The ICVA works in partnership with the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) to review and validate exam questions, ensuring rigorous psychometric standards are applied to every test form.