Exam Dates & Deadlines

North America Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE)

Applicants for NAVLE testing should visit the ICVA’s website at www.icva.net/navle. To be approved to take the NAVLE, one must apply to ICVA directly at www.icva.net/navle. Starting May 1st, 2024, NAVLE candidates need only to apply online with ICVA at www.icva.net to sit for the NAVLE. LBVM approval is not necessary — ICVA makes all NAVLE eligibility decisions. The application deadlines can be seen below and on the ICVA website. NAVLE candidates who select the LBVM on their initial application will have scores sent directly to the Board; however, any candidate who needs to transfer their scores to the LBVM from a different board must utilize the AAVSB VAULT service. The ICVA does not transfer scores for candidates or approve a change of licensing boards after the initial application has been processed. All scores – passing OR failing – must be submitted to the LBVM upon exam completion! Please contact AAVSB or visit the AAVSB website for more information .

Beginning with the 2025-2026 testing cycle, there will be three NAVLE testing windows each year, instead of two.  The new testing cycle will contain three shorter administrations spaced throughout the year:  October 15 – November 15, 2025,  March 1 – March 21, 2026, and July 13 – August 8, 2026.

  • The 2024 Spring NAVLE test window is April 1 through April 26, 2024.
    The deadline to apply to take the NAVLE during this spring test window is February 1, 2024 (opens in early-December ’23).
  • The 2024 Fall NAVLE test window is November 4 through December 21, 2024.
    The deadline to apply to take the NAVLE during this fall test window is August 1, 2024 (opens in early-June ’24).
  • The 2025 Spring NAVLE test window is April 1 through April 26, 2025.
    The deadline to apply to take the NAVLE during this spring test window is February 1, 2025 (opens in early-June ’25).
  • The 2025 Fall NAVLE test window is October 15 through November 15, 2025.
    The deadline to apply to take the NAVLE during this fall test window will be made available by June ’24.
  • The 2026 Spring NAVLE test window is March 1 through March 21, 2026.
    The deadline to apply to take the NAVLE during this spring test window will be made available by June ’24.
  • The 2026 Summer NAVLE test window is July 13 through August 8, 2026.
    The deadline to apply to take the NAVLE during this summer test window will be made available by June ’24.

No late applications will be accepted by ICVA and there are no exceptions made to the deadlines for test approvals.

Significant changes in ICVA policy are being undertaken by the NAVLE program to streamline and improve processes for licensing agencies and examinees. One of which will limit a candidate to no more than five attempts to take the NAVLE. If a candidate has failed the NAVLE five times and wants to take the test a sixth time, they will need to file an appeal with the ICVA. Please note, approval of appeals is not guaranteed. Candidates will be required to have a state licensing board support their appeal request as part of the process. Candidates who want further information on the appeal process should contact the ICVA. This form needs to be submitted by June 15, 2024 for the November – December 2024 testing window AND by December 1, 2024 for the April 2025 testing window.

While ICVA allows for an appeal of their NAVLE retake policy, rule §303.B.7 of the Louisiana Veterinary Practice Act states “An applicant for licensure may only sit for the national examinations a maximum of five times. Thereafter, the applicant will no longer be eligible for licensure in Louisiana and any application submitted will be rejected.”

 

Need Testing Accommodations? More detail can be found in the DVM application instructions.

Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE)

Applicants for VTNE testing should visit the AAVSB’s website at www.aavsb.org/vtne-overview. To be approved to take the VTNE through Louisiana, one must apply to AAVSB and also submit the LBVM’s application for licensure! AAVSB must receive approval from the LBVM before one can sit for the VTNE. The VTNE will be administered on the following schedule:

Examination Date

Application Deadline

March 15 – April 15, 2024

February 15, 2024 (opens December 15, 2023)

July 15 – August 15, 2024

June 15, 2024 (opens April 15, 2024)

November 15 – December 15, 2024

October 15, 2024 (opens August 15, 2024)

Scores are reported monthly from AAVSB to the LBVM.

Need Testing Accommodations? More detail can be found in the RVT application instructions.

License/Certificate Renewals

All current licenses/certificates will be expired on October 1, 2024. The 2024-2025 renewal period will be from July 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024 (expiration date). For more details on the renewal process, please visit www.lsbvm.org/renewals. An up-to-date directory of all currently active and expired licenses can be found by clicking the link below.

License Verification Registry

Please make sure the CE programs you attended are Board approved/accepted and that the attendance documentation is Board acceptable (see Board-approved CE Policy Statement and/or Board Rules, Chapter 4, for details).

CAET Course Dates and Deadlines

The next CAET training courses are scheduled as seen below. You must complete the application process before being eligible for the class. The deadlines to sign up and submit all application material and fee payments are non-negotiable. For more details on the application process, please visit www.lsbvm.org/app-caet.

 CAET Training Date  Location   Application Deadline   
    September 6, 2025     Alexandria, LA     August 16, 2024     Download Details
    February 14, 2025     Gretna, LA     January 31, 2025     Download Details
    June 13, 2025     Alexandria, LA     May 30, 2025     Download Details

 

 

Need Testing Accommodations? More detail can be found in the CAET application instructions.