The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association-National Examining Board (CVMA-NEB) is the national certification body for the veterinary profession to assess qualifications on behalf of the provincial regulatory authorities. It administers credential assessments and national examinations for candidates to demonstrate the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to meet entry to practice requirements as a veterinarian.
The College is a member of the Canadian Council of Veterinary Registrars (CCVR) which has adopted a common framework that describes veterinary competence, known as the North American Essential Competency Profile. Among its purposes, this framework supports the development and alignment of licensure/registration requirements, including examinations and training standards.
Examinations and assessments are based on the competencies required to practise. Assessment criteria are in place to ensure that all exams and assessments are current, reliable, valid, competency based, non duplicative, and unbiased. Assessors have the necessary knowledge and expertise to conduct assessments and assessors are supported by established processes that promote objective, consistent, and fair decision making. Together, the criteria and associated exams and assessments accurately and consistently measure the required competencies.
Examination and Assessment Pathways
The College outlines the examination and assessment pathways in its Competency Examination and Assessment Pathways Policy Statement. This document details the required examinations and pathways for graduates of AVMA COE–accredited veterinary schools, as well as those from AVMA listed veterinary schools.
Costs and Timelines
The examination fees for each third-party assessment provider are available on their respective websites (see links below). Additional information is provided in the Schedule of Fees – Services Provided by Third Parties table.
The CVMA-NEB provides processing timelines for candidates applications.
Acceptable Alternatives to Qualification Documents
Individuals seeking to become CVMA NEB candidates may face circumstances beyond their control that prevent them from obtaining the documentation normally required for registration. To support such applicants, the CVMA NEB provides an Alternative Documentation Submission Process.
Score Reports
Candidates will receive a score report outlining their results. The third-party assessment provider communicates all assessment decisions to the candidate in writing within 10 business days of the decision being made.
Appealing a National Board Exam Decision
If you wish to appeal a National Board Exam decision, you will need to contact the appropriate examining body. Canadian Veterinary Medical Association – National Examining Board (CVMA-NEB) processes are outlined in the Candidates Enrollment Guide (Information for Applicants) on the CVMA website.
American Veterinary Medical Association - Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates processes are on the AVMA website.
American Veterinary Medical Association
International Council for Veterinary Assessment processes are outlined in the Candidate Bulletin on the ICVA website.
International Council for Veterinary Assessment
Concerned about your experience with a third-party assessment provider?
If you have a concern or complaint about a third party involved in assessing your qualifications, please refer to the College’s Submitting a Complaint About a Third Party Assessment Provider policy.
