Competency examination and assessment pathways

Introduction

Successful completion of a College-approved examination and assessment pathway is one of the indicators that applicants for licensure have demonstrated the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to meet entry to practice requirements. This policy outlines, in the interests of transparency and fairness, the examination and assessment pathways accepted by the College of Veterinarians of Ontario.

Scope 

This policy applies to all General and Public Service licensure applicants.  

Applicants who are applying for licensure under the auspices of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) are not required to demonstrate successful completion of an entry to practice examination or assessment pathway.

Policy

Recognized third-party providers

The following are College recognized providers: Canadian Veterinary Medical Association – National Examining Board (CVMA-NEB), the American Veterinary Medical Association – Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (AVMA-ECFVG), the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) and the International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA).

Graduates of an American Veterinary Medical Association – Council on Education (AVMA-COE) Accredited Veterinary School 

As of June 2026, and in accordance with revised national requirements, a graduate of an accredited veterinary school must successfully complete the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) within five attempts.

In Ontario, Regulation 1093 provides that graduates of an accredited veterinary school must successfully complete the NAVLE within two attempts. It also provides that graduates who are unsuccessful within their first two attempts and subsequently pass the NAVLE on a third or later attempt are also required to successfully complete the Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE). As a result of the updated national requirements, applicants who have successfully completed the NAVLE within three to five attempts will be reviewed by the Registration Committee for an exemption from the requirements in Regulation 1093.

Graduates of an AVMA listed unaccredited veterinary school 

As per Ontario Regulation 1093, a graduate of an AVMA listed unaccredited veterinary school must successfully complete the NAVLE and the CPE. The traditional exam sequence has expanded to include the Basic and Clinical Science Examination (BCSE) as a prerequisite to the NAVLE. In addition to the traditional pathway, the College has approved alternative pathways to demonstrate competency. 

The College’s permitted examination and assessment pathways for these graduates are: 

Examination and Assessment Pathway Results 

All applicants (whether they are graduates of an accredited veterinary school or unaccredited veterinary school) must supply the College with evidence from an approved certification body indicating successful completion of an approved examination and assessment pathway. 

The Registration Committee may consider exempting an applicant from a licensure requirement, including the requirement to complete all or a portion of an approved examination or assessment pathway. Exemptions may be granted with Terms, Conditions or Limitations, and/or additional training activities as specified by the Registration Committee. Exemptions for such an important, comprehensive, objective demonstration of entry-to-practice competencies will require the demonstration of alternative comprehensive and objective evidence of entry-to-practice competencies.