Competency examination and assessment policy

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 

Section 3 of Ontario Regulation 1093 indicates that a graduate of an accredited veterinary school must successfully complete the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) within two attempts. The CVMA-NEB in collaboration with the Canadian Council of Veterinary Registrars has determined that a graduate of an accredited veterinary school must successfully complete the NAVLE within three attempts. A graduate of an accredited veterinary school who is not successful in the completion of the NAVLE within three attempts may be indicative of a potential knowledge deficiency. Therefore, the graduate is required to undergo additional evaluation before an acceptable level of competence can be ascertained. If a graduate is not successful within three attempts, they will be required to complete the Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE) and any other prerequisites to the CPE, such as the Preliminary Surgical Assessment (PSA) in Canada, after successfully completing the NAVLE.  

Graduates of an AVMA listed unaccredited veterinary school 

As per Section 3 of Ontario Regulation 1093, a graduate of an acceptable 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 and the PSA as a prerequisite to the CPE. 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.