veterinarian




OCCUPATION INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW:

 

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 registered members may call themselves Veterinarians.

What are the licensure requirements for internationally educated Veterinarians?

Internationally educated Veterinarians must:

  1. Have graduated from a professional degree program in veterinary medicine recognized by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA).
  2. Have received a Certificate of Qualification from the National Examining Board (NEB) of the CVMA.
  3. Complete and submit an application form, and comply with all registration requirements of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association.


Temporary Registration

Temporary registration is available for Veterinarians working towards a Certificate of Qualification.

Candidates must have passed the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) and be accepted to take the Clinical Proficiency Exam (CPE) for the Certificate of Qualification. Temporary members are required to be supervised by an ABVMA regulated member in order to practice veterinary medicine. Upon completion of the Certificate of Qualification, the applicant would be eligible to apply for Active Membership. Temporary registration is granted in 3-month intervals available for a maximum of 24 months. In some employment situations, there is an opportunity for International Veterinary Graduates to qualify for a Limited License at an earlier stage in the examination sequence than require for a Temporary License. These are granted on individual consideration of the person’s credentials and the proposed employment activity. Supervision is defined accordingly. Direct contact with the ABVMA office is suggested prior to application.

What is the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and National Examining Board?

http://canadianveterinarians.net

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) is the national body representing the interests of the veterinary profession in Canada. The National Examining Board (NEB) is a board of the CVMA established to administer the NEB Examination.

Graduates of a non-accredited veterinary school are required to complete all three parts of the examination sequence in order to receive a Certificate of Qualification. The veterinary licensing examination process for graduates of non-accredited veterinary schools involves:

  • The Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination (BCSE)
  • The North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE); and
  • The Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE).

A graduate of an accredited college (Canada and the USA) of veterinary medicine need only pass the NAVLE within two attempts in order to receive a Certificate of Qualification. However, if such a candidate requires more than two attempts to complete the NAVLE, they will also be required to complete the CPE.

International accredited schools include:
Australia - Sydney University & Murdoch University
The Netherlands - Utrecht University
New Zealand - Palmerston University
London - The Royal Veterinary College
Edinburgh - Edinburgh University
Glasgow - Glasgow University

To become a candidate of the NEB, you must request an application package (for a fee) from the CVMA website. The package includes an application form, a list of the documents to be submitted and a booklet that explains the exam process in detail.

What are the accepted English language proficiency tests and where can I be tested?

Applicants must also provide proof of English Language fluency by one of the accepted testing assessments listed below.

� Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL and Internet Based TOEFL)
� International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
� Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL)
� Exam of French of the Office de la langue fran�aise of the Government of Quebec, with a score of no less than 60 for each component.

Note: a score report for one of the accepted language proficiency examinations cannot be more than two years old.

To learn more about where to take an English language proficiency test in Alberta, visit English Language Proficiency Tests and Locations.
 

Where can I take the National Examining Board Exams?

The BCSE is available four times per year and is administered at Prometric Inc. test centre.

Location: Thomson Prometric Testing Centre
Address: 2635 37th Ave NE Suite 215, Calgary, Alberta T1Y 5Z6
http://www.prometric.com

The CPE is available ten times per year at the four Canadian colleges of veterinary medicine. The NAVLE is offered in April and November/ December of each year at Prometric Inc. test centre. Applicants are encouraged to be aware of registration deadlines, examination criteria, exam fee, exam frequency and the turnaround time for exam results. Candidates who successfully complete the NEB examination process are granted a Certificate of Qualification which is a prerequisite to obtain a veterinary license in all the provinces of Canada.

What are the educational requirements for Veterinarians in Alberta?

(Note: Licensing bodies compare international education and experience to Canadian standards)

Prospective veterinarians must complete at least two years of university studies followed by a four year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program. Most applicants for DVM 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 DVM degree programs are offered at the:

In 2008, the University of Calgary plans to offer a new DVM program.


Additional Occupational Information

For more information on occupational duties and wages, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service at. www.alis.gov.ab.ca and search for Veterinarians under occupational information.

What training programs or services are available for internationally educated Veterinarians?

Bridging Program

Bredin International Veterinarian Bridging Program (in Edmonton) http://www.bredin.ab.ca 

This program is designed to assist internationally educated Veterinarians with a learning opportunity in order to prepare and challenge the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE). 

What information resources are available for Veterinarians in Alberta?

Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA)
website: www.avma.ab.ca

Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
websites: www.canadianveterinarians.net and www.animalhealthcare.ca

                                                                                                                               Last Updated: May 2009