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United States · Licensing exams

Veterinary exams: the NAVLE for veterinarians, the VTNE for vet techs

Which of the two veterinary exams you take depends on your job. Veterinarians take the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE), from the International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA). Veterinary technicians take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), from the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). The two exams have different owners, dates, fees and rules. Neither body gives you the license itself: that comes from your state or province.

  • 360NAVLE questions, for veterinarians
  • 170VTNE questions, for veterinary technicians
  • 425 on 200 to 800Pass mark, only recommended on the NAVLE
Where to studyHow the test works

Updated November 2026 · Written from the NAVLE Candidate Handbook, 2026-2027 testing cycle, and the AAVSB’s VTNE Candidate Information Handbook

Key facts

At a glance

NAVLE is run by
ICVA, with Prometric test centers and scoring by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME)
VTNE is run by
The AAVSB, which owns it, with PSI delivering the exam
NAVLE fee
$825 in the US, its territories and Canada
VTNE fee
$375
NAVLE dates
Three testing windows a year, with fixed application periods
VTNE dates
Four exam windows a year, with an application cutoff in each

How it works

How the two veterinary exams work

NAVLE
200 to 424: below ICVA’s mark425 to 800: ICVA’s recommended pass
VTNE
200 to 424: not passed425 to 800: passed
ICVA recommends 425. Its sample score report says each licensing authority may accept that or set a different passing score. The AAVSB doesn’t report VTNE scores as a number or percentage right, so 425 isn’t a percentage. It says all jurisdictions accept the reported scaled scores.
  1. NAVLE: you apply in a set period, wait for approval, then get a Scheduling and Admission Permit by email. You book a Prometric test center with it, inside your testing window.
  2. VTNE: you can start your application at any time. Once the AAVSB has reviewed your eligibility, you choose an exam window and book with PSI, at a test center or from home.
  3. NAVLE: it’s on computer in 12 blocks of 30 questions. Once you close a block, you can’t go back to it.
  4. VTNE: it’s on computer with a three-hour clock. You can skip, change and mark answers, and the clock keeps running during breaks.
  5. NAVLE: scores come about four to five weeks after the testing window closes.
  6. VTNE: you see pass or fail when you finish, and the score report reaches your MyAAVSB portal within three business days.

Topics

What each exam covers

The first four are the NAVLE’s competency domains. The rest are the VTNE’s ten domains, which we’ve grouped into six to keep the list short.

01

NAVLE: Clinical practice

The largest NAVLE domain, at 70% of ICVA’s target blueprint: gathering and reading clinical information, then keeping animals well and managing their problems.

Key points (3)
  • ICVA’s blueprint gives data gathering and interpretation 35% and health maintenance 35% of the NAVLE.
  • Canine (25.6%) and feline (24.3%) are the largest species weights, followed by equine (14.7%) and bovine (13.3%).
  • Tasks listed include interpreting diagnostic images, laboratory findings and physical examination findings.
02

NAVLE: Preventive medicine and animal welfare

15% of ICVA’s target blueprint, covering welfare concerns and the health of the public and the environment around animals.

Key points (2)
  • The NAVLE blueprint weights are animal welfare 6%, environmental health and safety 5% and veterinary public health 4%.
  • ICVA says its Competencies document is a guide, so questions may cover tasks it doesn’t name.
03

NAVLE: Communication

8% of ICVA’s target blueprint: talking with clients and with other professionals.

Key points (1)
  • The NAVLE blueprint weights are clients 5% and veterinary and other professionals 3%.
04

NAVLE: Professionalism, practice management and wellness

7% of ICVA’s target blueprint: running a practice and keeping up professionally.

Key points (1)
  • The NAVLE blueprint weights are practice management 4% and professional development 3%.
05

VTNE: Animal care and nursing

The largest VTNE domain, with 30 of the 150 scored questions.

Key points (3)
  • This VTNE domain has 30 scored questions, or 20%.
  • Tasks include catheterization, wound management, bandaging, blood pressure measurement and electrocardiography.
  • Giving medications by the right route and restraining patients safely are both on the AAVSB’s outline.
06

VTNE: Surgical nursing and anesthesia

Two VTNE domains with 20 scored questions each, grouped here because they share the operating room.

Key points (3)
  • Surgical Nursing and Anesthesia each have 20 scored VTNE questions, or 13%.
  • The outline includes sterilizing equipment by the appropriate method and maintaining aseptic conditions.
  • Anesthesia tasks include endotracheal intubation and monitoring before, during and after anesthesia.
07

VTNE: Pharmacy and pharmacology

20 of the VTNE’s 150 scored questions, on preparing, calculating and handling medications.

Key points (3)
  • This VTNE domain has 20 scored questions, or 13%.
  • Calculations named in the outline include medications, fluid therapy rates and continuous rate infusions.
  • The outline also covers controlled drug inventory, logbooks and medical records.
08

VTNE: Emergency care and pain management

Two VTNE domains with 10 scored questions each.

Key points (3)
  • Emergency Medicine/Critical Care and Pain Management/Analgesia each have 10 scored VTNE questions, or 7%.
  • Triage tasks in the outline cover shock, acute illness, acute trauma and toxicity.
  • Emergency nursing named in the outline includes CPR, controlling acute blood loss and fracture stabilization.
09

VTNE: Laboratory, imaging and dentistry

Three VTNE domains with 33 scored questions between them: Laboratory Procedures 14, Dentistry 10 and Diagnostic Imaging 9.

Key points (3)
  • Laboratory Procedures has 14 scored VTNE questions, Dentistry 10 and Diagnostic Imaging 9.
  • Laboratory areas named are microbiology, serology, cytology, hematology, urinalysis and parasitology.
  • Dental radiographs fall under Dentistry, not Diagnostic Imaging, in the AAVSB’s outline.
10

VTNE: Communication and professional support

The smallest VTNE domain, with 7 scored questions.

Key points (3)
  • This VTNE domain has 7 scored questions, or 5%.
  • Tasks include collecting signalment, medical history and the primary complaint.
  • Helping with euthanasia, including consent, aftercare and grief management, is on the outline.

Test day

What to bring to each exam

  • NAVLE: your Scheduling and Admission Permit, on paper or on your phone
  • NAVLE: a valid government-issued photo ID, plus a second ID with your signature if the first has none
  • VTNE at a test center: one unexpired government-issued ID with your photo and signature, in your legal first and last name
  • VTNE at home: the same kind of ID, though a military ID isn’t accepted for remote proctoring, plus a mini whiteboard, dry-erase marker and eraser

Before you go

  1. Check your own state or province’s rules first. Each licensing board sets its own requirements.
  2. NAVLE: arrive at least 30 minutes early. If you’re more than 30 minutes late you can’t test, and you’ll pay Prometric’s rescheduling fee.
  3. VTNE at a test center: arrive 30 minutes early. If you’re more than 15 minutes late you lose your exam fee.
  4. VTNE at home: run PSI’s system check and walkthrough first, and log in up to 30 minutes before your exam time.
  5. Make sure the name on your application matches your ID exactly. Both exams can turn you away over a mismatch.
NAVLE dates, fees and how to applyNAVLE applications open only in set periods. For the VTNE, windows and fees are on the VTNE page, and the AAVSB takes applications at any time.

Study options

Where to study

Both exam owners publish outlines and sell official practice material. ICVA sells NAVLE Self-Assessments, and the AAVSB sells VTNE practice tests through PSI. Other companies’ prep is listed as theirs, with prices from their own sites.

OptionPriceFree to useLinks
Official
AAVSB VTNE practice testsVTNE: the AAVSB’s practice tests, sold through PSI75 questions in 90 minutes, with feedback across the VTNE’s 10 domain areas. Group pricing is available on bulk orders.
$50 per attemptNot free. The AAVSB’s 10 sample questions are free.
PSI: Buy a VTNE practice test ↗AAVSB: Study for the VTNE ↗
AAVSB VTNE outline and study materialsVTNE: the content outline, abbreviations, reference list and sample questionsThe outline gives the question count for each domain, and the AAVSB calls it one of the most important things to review.
No charge listedThe AAVSB calls the sample questions, abbreviations and references free resources
AAVSB: VTNE content outline (PDF) ↗AAVSB: Reference list (PDF) ↗
ICVA NAVLE Self-AssessmentsNAVLE: ICVA’s web-based practice exams, built from retired NAVLE items200 questions in four blocks of 50, in English or French. You get a projected NAVLE score range, and ICVA says a good result doesn’t guarantee a pass.
$50 regular, $65 Expanded FeedbackNot free. Two 10-item sample assessments are.
ICVA: NAVLE Self-Assessments ↗
ICVA NAVLE tutorial and samplesNAVLE: the computer-based tutorial, with sample questionsIt shows how the computerized NAVLE works, in English and French. ICVA recommends going through it before your exam.
FreeICVA calls the tutorial free, and it has 20 sample items
ICVA: NAVLE tutorial ↗
Other companies
ZukuNAVLE and VTNE: review plans from a private companyStarting prices from Zuku’s home page. We haven’t seen its plan pages, so check what each plan includes and costs before you pay.
Its site says NAVLE plans start at $379 and VTNE plans at $160Not listed
Zuku: NAVLE plans ↗Zuku: VTNE plans ↗
Mometrix VTNE SecretsVTNE: a study guide with practice questions, from a private publisherMometrix says the AAVSB isn’t affiliated with it and doesn’t endorse the product. Its free page quotes a $365 fee and three windows, which differ from the AAVSB’s handbook, so trust the AAVSB on those.
$49.99 ebook or $54.99 printed, on its own pageIt has a page it calls a free VTNE practice test
Mometrix: VTNE Secrets ↗Mometrix: Free VTNE practice test ↗

Prices and ratings checked November 2026.

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FAQ

Common questions

Which veterinary exams do I need for a license?

It depends on your job. A veterinarian needs the NAVLE, which ICVA says is required for licensure in all licensing jurisdictions in the United States and Canada. A veterinary technician takes the VTNE, which the AAVSB says most states and provinces require. Your state may add more, such as a test on its own laws.

Is there one national veterinary board exam?

No, there are two exams that work across North America, and they’re for different jobs. Neither is a license. The license comes from the licensing board in the state or province where you’ll work, and each board has its own requirements.

Are the NAVLE and VTNE taken online?

The NAVLE isn’t: ICVA says it’s given at Prometric test centers only. The VTNE can be taken at a PSI test center or at home with a live remote proctor. Both are taken on a computer.

Who writes and who scores these exams?

ICVA develops the NAVLE, and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) scores it. The AAVSB owns the VTNE and develops it under a contract with PSI, which also scores it. The AAVSB also keeps the official score archive for both exams, which is why NAVLE score transfers go through the AAVSB and not ICVA.

Can I take both exams?

Only if you qualify for each, and each is built around a different kind of education. The NAVLE is for veterinary students, graduates and people in the two programs for graduates of non-accredited schools. The VTNE is for people on one of three vet tech pathways. The AAVSB also says that once you’ve passed the VTNE, you can’t take it again unless your state board requires it.

Sources: ICVA · AAVSB and 7 more. Checked November 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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