Portal Downtime Starting Feb. 24th for License & Application Portals
The LBVM License and Application Portals will be undergoing a software system upgrade starting on Monday, February 24th, 2025. During this system upgrade, both portals are expected to be unavailable for 3 to 4 weeks. Click here for more details.
Exam Dates & Deadlines
Select one of the options below for more details.
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 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.
The following fees were approved by ICVA in January ’25 for the 2025-2026 NAVLE testing cycle:
- The NAVLE testing fee will be $800. For the previous testing cycle, it was $760.
- The international testing fee (for candidates who schedule their test at a Prometric Testing Center outside of the US or Canada) will be $380. For the previous testing cycle, it was $365. This is an additional fee to the NAVLE testing fee.
- For candidates applying through one of the 42 licensing boards that has the ICVA administer their NAVLE approvals on their behalf, the fee will be $55. This is the same fee as the previous testing cycle. This will also be the fee for candidates applying to be approved for the test but not designating a licensing board for their application.
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 |
February 15 – April 15, 2025 |
Opens December 15, 2024 |
May 15 – July 15, 2025 |
Opens December 15, 2024 |
August 15 – October 15, 2025 |
Opens December 15, 2024 |
November 15, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Opens December 15, 2024 |
Scores are reported monthly from AAVSB to the LBVM.
Need Testing Accommodations? More detail can be found in the RVT application instructions.
CAET Training / Course Dates and Deadlines
The next CAET training course(s)s 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 | |
June 13, 2025 | Alexandria, LA | May 30, 2025 | Download Details |
Need Testing Accommodations? More detail can be found in the CAET application instructions.
State Jurisprudence Exam
The Louisiana State Jurisprudence Exam is required for all DVM applicants (excluding DVM Faculty License applicants). Additionally, RVT applicants who submitted their application on/after October 20th, 2022 will be required to take and pass the jurisprudence exam. The 30-minute examination consists of twenty-six (26) questions designed to test an applicant’s familiarity with the laws and regulations governing the practice of veterinary medicine in the state of Louisiana. A passing score of 70% or more on the exam is required for licensure. The LBVM offers the state jurisprudence exam in two different methods. Applicants can take the state board exam either: 1) in-person at the LBVM office (unless another location is stated for an exam date) or 2) online through the AAVSB’s State and Provincial Assessments (SPA) program.
Current students enrolled in a DVM or Veterinary Technology program are eligible to take the state jurisprudence exam once they are within 60 days from their date of graduation. Additional documentation may be required during the application process for validation.
Note: An application for licensure (either DVM or RVT) must be submitted and fees paid before you can sign up for the state jurisprudence examination.
License / Certificate Renewals
The 2025-2026 renewal period is from July 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025 (expiration date). For more details on the renewal process, please visit www.lsbvm.org/renewal. An up-to-date directory of all currently active and expired licenses can be found by clicking the link below.
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).