ICVA Chief Executive Officer Announces Independent Audit of NAVLE Following Allegations of Bias
The International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA), administrator of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE), has announced that it will initiate an independent third-party audit following allegations questioning the fairness and transparency of the exam. The NAVLE is a high-stakes, 360-question multiple-choice examination required for veterinary licensure in the United States and Canada.
The announcement follows increased scrutiny from members of the veterinary community regarding how the exam is developed, administered, and scored. In a brief public statement, ICVA said it is responding to questions raised about the integrity of the examination process.
Background of the Allegations
Concerns were formally articulated in October through a pre-litigation notice sent by a San Francisco law firm to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The notice alleges that the NAVLE may be “potentially anticompetitive, fraudulent, and discriminatory,” citing persistent and unexplained disparities in exam outcomes related to race and ethnicity. The letter specifically references examinees with Hispanic surnames and graduates of Tuskegee University.
The notice claims the law firm conducted an investigation that included reviewing records, interviewing examinees, and analyzing publicly available data. It alleges issues such as poorly constructed or nonsensical questions, multiple-choice items with more than one correct answer, and content falling outside the published NAVLE blueprint. No supporting data were publicly released with the notice.
The letter was later leaked and circulated online, including on Reddit, prompting broader discussion within the veterinary profession.
ICVA and AVMA Responses
ICVA has rejected the allegations outlined in the pre-litigation notice. In a statement to VIN News, ICVA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Heather Case said the organization responded through legal counsel and maintains that the accusations have no factual basis. She stated that the purpose of the audit is to provide clear, objective validation that NAVLE processes are rigorous, fair, and aligned with best practices in high-stakes licensure testing.
The AVMA issued a statement supporting ICVA’s decision to pursue an independent evaluation, noting the critical role of the NAVLE in protecting the public and maintaining professional standards. The AVMA stated that an external review could help reinforce confidence in the exam’s validity, reliability, and fairness.
Role of Exam Development Partners
The pre-litigation notice also raised concerns about whether standard safeguards used in other professional licensing exams are applied to the NAVLE. ICVA works with the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) on key components of the exam, including item editing, technical review, scoring, and score reporting. According to ICVA, the NBME will be directly involved in the upcoming audit.
ICVA has emphasized that it produces public-facing materials describing how the NAVLE is designed and administered and conducts a comprehensive practice analysis every seven years to ensure the exam reflects the knowledge required of entry-level veterinarians.
Prior Review and Policy Changes
ICVA noted that the NAVLE has previously undergone external review. In 2020, the California Department of Consumer Affairs’ Office of Professional Examination Services evaluated the exam’s suitability for licensure in California and concluded that it met applicable professional and technical standards.
Separately, ICVA announced a one-time change to the NAVLE retake policy. Beginning with the March 2026 testing window, all candidates will be granted five new opportunities to take the exam, regardless of prior attempts. ICVA stated that this change was made to ensure consistency and impartiality across jurisdictions.
Next Steps
Details regarding the scope, methodology, and timeline of the independent audit have not yet been finalized. ICVA has stated that the findings will be released publicly once the audit is complete, along with any actions taken in response to the auditors’ recommendations.
As discussions about transparency, assessment practices, and equity continue within the veterinary profession, the results of the audit are expected to play an important role in shaping future confidence in the NAVLE and the licensure process.
References
Veterinary Information Network (VIN) News. Administrator of NAVLE to initiate independent audit following allegations of bias.
International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA). Public statements and NAVLE program materials.
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Statement regarding independent NAVLE audit.
California Department of Consumer Affairs, Office of Professional Examination Services. NAVLE suitability review (2020).
