Veterinarian
Information you need to know to practice as a Veterinarian
Who is the licensing body responsible for Veterinarians in Alberta?
In Alberta, you must be registered with the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA) to practice as a Veterinarian. Only Doctors of Veterinary Medicine or equivalent registered members may call themselves Veterinarians.
What are the licensure requirements for internationally educated Veterinarians?
Internationally educated Veterinarians must meet the following requirements in order to be registered as an Active General Veterinarian (Unrestricted): Provide a Certificate of Qualification (C of Q) from the National Examining Board (NEB) of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA). The NEB will issue a C of Q to graduates of American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education (COE) / CVMA accredited programs upon successful completion of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE).
Note: Licensing bodies assess international education and experience and compare with Canadian standards.
- Internationally educated veterinarians must register with the NEB to acquire a C of Q. Upon application for registration, the NEB will verify identity, graduation from an AVMA listed program, language proficiency and letters of recommendation. Upon successful completion of a series of examinations in the required time period, the NEB will provide a C of Q to graduates of AVMA Listed programs (non-accredited). National Examining Board (NEB) Examinations The National Examining Board (NEB) administers all four examinations required to receive a certificate of qualification (C of Q). In Alberta a C of Q is required for licensure as a veterinarian. These examinations assess entry-level competence in the theory and practice of veterinary medicine in a North American context.Note: A candidate who is a graduate of a non-accredited veterinary school must successfully complete the BCSE, the NAVLE, the PSA and the CPE within a 7 year period commencing when the candidate gets approved to enter the Examination sequence. A candidate who does not complete the Examination sequence within the 7 year period will be required to resubmit scores from English language proficiency exams and from BCSE prior to becoming eligible for the NAVLE, the PSA and the CPE again. Candidates who pass the NEB exams are granted a Certificate of Qualification, which is a prerequisite to apply for a general license to practice as a veterinarian. For detailed information, please visit the Candidate Information Guide on the NEB website.
- Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination (BCSE) Internationally educated veterinarians must write and pass the BCSE exam before writing the NAVLE and the PSA and CPE. The BCSE is designed to assess basic and clinical veterinary sciences knowledge.
- North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) The NAVLE assesses the candidates’ general knowledge base in the various scientific disciplines required in veterinary medicine.
- Preliminary Surgical Assessment (PSA) This qualifying examination is a hands-on practical exam administered at predetermined test sites that must be completed prior to attempting the CPE.
- Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE) The CPE assesses the candidates’ ability to handle actual medical, surgical and diagnostic problems in a clinical or hospital setting. The CPE involves the examination and treatment of live animals and the performance of routine laboratory procedures.
- Language Proficiency Requirement In order to register for the NEB examinations, internationally trained veterinarians must provide proof of language proficiency in English. For more information, please review the National Examining Board Candidate Information.
For complete information on the licensing process for Internationally Educated Veterinarians, review the flow chart for Non-Accredited School Graduate on the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association website and the NEB Candidate Information on the NEB website.
Restricted Licensure of veterinarians by the ABVMA
Limited Practice Licensee - Supervised
Upon registering in the NEB examination sequence, internationally educated veterinarians are eligible to apply for registration as a Limited Practice Licensee - Supervised. A veterinarian registered as a Limited Practice Licensee - Supervised may engage in the practice of veterinary medicine under the immediate supervision of an unrestricted / fully licensed veterinarian for up to two years.
Temporary Registered Member Licensure
Upon passing the BCSE and NAVLE examinations and successful completion of the PSA, internationally educated veterinarians are eligible to apply for registration as a Temporary Registered Member. A Temporary Registered Member may engage in the practice of veterinary medicine under the direct supervision of an unrestricted / fully licensed veterinarian for up to two years.
What are the educational requirements for Veterinarians in Alberta?
Prospective veterinarians must complete at least two years of undergraduate university studies followed by a four-year professional degree program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education (COE) / CVMA. Most applicants for veterinary medicine programs have completed more than two years of university work in a related faculty, such as science or agriculture. The entrance requirements for these programs vary from one institution and program to another.
In Canada, four-year doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) degree programs are offered at:
- Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown, PEI
- University of Calgary in Calgary, Alberta
- University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario
- University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
- Universite de Montreal in Montreal, Quebec (instruction in French)
Note: Licensing bodies assess international education and experience and compare with Canadian standards.
What are the accepted English language proficiency tests and where can I be tested?
Applicants must successfully achieve the required passing score on one of the NEB-approved Language Proficiency Tests. To learn more about where to take a language proficiency test in Alberta, visit English Language Proficiency Tests and Locations.
What supports are available to support internationally educated Veterinarians to integrate into the Canadian labour force?
Directions for Immigrants offers workplace communication groups to help you integrate into the Canadian work environment. The Clear Communication for Health Professionals (CCHP) workplace communication group is designed to help internationally educated health care professionals fine-tune their communication skills with patients, supervisors, and colleagues. In one week, you will learn through role-play and scenarios the nuances and expectations of Canadian patients, inter-disciplinary teams, and other health care industry participants. Topics include overcoming communication barriers, professional workplace interaction/behaviour, Canadian workplace culture, conflict resolution, and teamwork. Visit Clear Communication for Health Professionals for more information.
What information resources are available for Veterinarians in Alberta?
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