Veterinary License in the US for foreign veterinary graduates

So you're thinking about working in The US upon graduation, you need a veterinary license, but didnt study at an AVMA accredited college?

Firstly check that your school of veterinary medicine is AVMA listed by clicking here. Your veterinary University must be listed for you to take the United States Veterinary License procedures detailed here.

Veterinary graduates must complete 2 processes, each of which consists of many steps. The ECFVG (Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates) certification program consists of four separate steps. It is accepted by all American state veterinary regulatory boards and the federal government. meeting, It provides all or part of the educational prerequisite for gaining a veterinary license. You must also take The NAVLE exam, either after completing the full ECFVG, or you may take it after step 3 of the ECFVG.

What's involved?

1/ Enrollment

2/ English Language assessment

3/ Basic and clinical Veterinarty Science Knowledge examination

4/ Hands-on practical medical skills through the clinical proficiency Exam (CPE)

You can either take the ECFVG certification program or the PAVE (Program for the assessment of veterinary education). All licensing boards accept the ECFVG, only 24 licensing boards accept the PAVE.

PAVE also has 4 steps. The first 2 are the same as the ECFVG.

Step 3 is also an exam- the NVBME's qualifying exam designed to exam knowledge in basic sciences which are taught in an accredited veterinary college.

Step 4 requires clinical proficiency demonstration through 12 months completion of evaluated clinical skills at an accreditated Veterinary school, or by passing the VCSA (Veterinary Clinical Skills Assessment)exam.

ECFVG and PAVE candidates must have completed the Step 3 examination of the program before they can be approved by a licensing board to take the NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Exam).

All Veterinary license candidates, whether 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.

How much does it all cost?

For up-to-date information check the AVMA website.

a) Initial registration (Enrollment for 2 years) $275

One Time ECFVG quality assurance program $725

(re-registration for subsequent 2 years $100)

b) English Proficiency Requirement

iB-TOEFL $150 (if taken in US)

CAEL assessment $140

IELTS: $140 (if taken in US)

c) Basic Clinical Sciences Examination $75

d) Clinical Proficiency Examination $5,000

Do not forget extra costs for airfares, accomodation and meals.



How much does the PAVE cost?

Online application $250

Paper Application $300

Qualifying Exam: $800

Cost of out of state tuition fees for the clinical year is individual to each school which runs the PAVE program. Approx $36,000-$40,000.

Or Cost of VCSA exam $5,000

How much does the NAVLE cost?

The NAVLE fee for the 2007-2008 testing cycle is $480, in US funds. Some licensing boards (those mentioned above that prefer to collect all candidate fees themselves instead of having their candidates pay the NBVME directly) may include their own application and/or state board examination fee in with the NAVLE fee. There is an additional $250 fee for overseas testing.

How Do I prepare for the Exams?

For this list click here;

Or click here for a website dedicated to preparing for your licensing exam. There are also books possible to purchase, to aid you in your study.

How do I apply?

Where can I get more information?