Graduates of Xavier University School of Veterinary Medicine (XUSOVM) who wish to practice veterinary medicine in the United States or Canada must satisfy the licensing requirements established by the appropriate veterinary regulatory authorities.
Licensure requirements vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the requirements of the jurisdiction in which they intend to practice.
North American Veterinary Licensing Examination
The North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) is a licensing examination used by veterinary regulatory authorities in the United States and Canada. Passing it does not itself confer a license.
The NAVLE is administered by the International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA) in cooperation with veterinary licensing boards throughout North America.
Successful completion of the NAVLE is generally required before a candidate can obtain a license to practice veterinary medicine in the United States or Canada.
Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates
The Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG), administered by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), evaluates the educational equivalency of graduates from non-AVMA accredited veterinary schools.
The ECFVG certification program is designed to assess whether international veterinary graduates possess the knowledge and clinical skills necessary to enter veterinary practice in the United States.
The ECFVG certification process has four components:
- Registration and verification of veterinary education and graduation;
- Demonstration of English-language ability under ECFVG requirements;
- Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination (BCSE); and
- Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE).
The NAVLE is a separate licensing examination, not one of the four ECFVG certification steps. Candidates must verify current eligibility and requirements with ECFVG, ICVA, and their intended licensing board.
Students intending to pursue veterinary licensure in the United States should regularly review ECFVG requirements, as policies and procedures may change.
Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence
The Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE) is administered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards and provides an alternative pathway for graduates of non-accredited veterinary schools seeking licensure in participating jurisdictions.
PAVE requirements include:
- Credential verification;
- English language assessment (if required);
- Qualifying Science Examination (QSE); and
- Evaluated Clinical Experience (ECE) at an AVMA-accredited veterinary school, with the required prior documentation and approval.
Students must verify school eligibility, examination sequencing, ECE acceptance, and the requirements of the intended licensing jurisdiction before making clinical or financial commitments. A DVM clinical placement does not automatically satisfy PAVE requirements.
Students should verify whether the jurisdiction in which they intend to practice recognizes PAVE certification.
Student Responsibilities
Students are responsible for:
- Understanding licensure requirements in their intended jurisdiction;
- Monitoring changes to licensing and certification requirements;
- Maintaining required documentation and credentials;
- Meeting examination deadlines; and
- Complying with all certification and licensing procedures established by the relevant regulatory authorities.
XUSOVM provides guidance and support regarding veterinary licensing pathways; however, responsibility for meeting all certification and licensing requirements rests with the individual student.
Useful Resources
Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates
AVMA ECFVG: https://www.avma.org/education/educational-commission-foreign-veterinary-graduates
Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence
American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) PAVE: https://www.aavsb.org/licensure/international-pathway-for-veterinarians/
North American Veterinary Licensing Examination
ICVA NAVLE: https://www.icva.net/navle/
AAVSB ECE requirements: https://www.aavsb.org/licensure/international-pathway-for-veterinarians/complete-evaluated-clinical-experience/. Candidates in ECFVG or PAVE must meet ICVA and licensing-board eligibility requirements, including the applicable BCSE or QSE requirement, before NAVLE approval. Official sources reviewed October 1, 2026.