Veterinary NAVLE Resources

Candidates are allowed to take the NAVLE just once per testing period. According to ICVA’s policy, candidates can attempt the NAVLE a maximum of five times, including any incomplete attempts. An incomplete attempt occurs when a candidate starts the NAVLE and answers some questions but does not finish the exam.

Get to know the structure of the NAVLE. The exam features 360 multiple-choice questions, split into six blocks of 60 questions each. You have 65 minutes to complete each block, with a total of 7.5 hours for the entire exam, including scheduled breaks. Being familiar with the format will help you manage your time efficiently during the test.

Keep track of the time while taking the exam. Try to allocate roughly one minute per question. If you find yourself stuck, mark the question, and move forward. Revisit it later if you have time remaining. This approach helps you answer more questions without getting delayed.

The NAVLE fee for the 2024-2025 testing cycle is $760 USD. For international testing outside of the United States, Canada, or US Territories, there is an additional fee of $365 USD. If you are applying through a state licensing board not processed by ICVA, please contact your board for potential differences in fees. The NAVLE approval fee for boards processed by ICVA (or the ICVA direct approval option) is $55 USD.

Canadian Applicants: Contact the Canadian National Examining Board (NEB) in Ottawa for application instructions, and you will submit your application materials and fees directly to the NEB by their deadline.

United States Applicants: If you are applying through one of the states that ICVA processes the state application on behalf of the state/territorial licensing board, you will complete the online combined application.

NAVLE application: submitted online via the ICVA NAVLE Website

The exam content is derived from the NAVLE Blueprint, which consists of two dimensions: competencies and animal species/diagnoses. You can also review the Competencies and the Species Diagnoses sections.

You will have a total of 7.5 hours of test time to complete the NAVLE. The structure of the examination administration is as follows:

*Break time is inclusive of time for lunch. Breaks are only permitted between blocks.