The North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE®) is collaboratively developed by the International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA) and the National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®).

The NAVLE Competency Domains outline the essential competencies assessed in the exam. The following domains are critical for ensuring comprehensive evaluation of veterinary knowledge and skills:

Clinical Practice

Data Gathering and Interpretation

• Create or update medical records

• Develop and prioritize differential diagnoses

• Formulate diagnostic and treatment plans

• Interpret cytologic specimens, diagnostic images (e.g., ECG, endoscopy, ultrasound, x-ray), lab tests, physical exam findings, and postmortem specimens

• Investigate toxin exposures in animals

• Observe and interpret animal behavior and mental status

• Obtain health history and diagnostic images

• Perform physical and postmortem examinations, standard diagnostic tests, and system-specific examinations

• Prioritize diagnostic procedures based on available resources

• Review animal medical records to determine health status

• Read and interpret herd health records and reports

Health Maintenance and Problem Management

• Administer medications, vaccines, and anesthesia

• Apply splints, casts, or stabilization devices

• Care for wounds and surgical incisions

• Establish and evaluate treatment and rehabilitation plans

• Formulate behavior modification and patient/herd management plans

• Perform common therapeutic and major surgical procedures

• Prescribe medications and refer clients to specialists

• Synthesize diagnostic information to determine diagnoses

• Treat minor injuries and manage trauma

Communications

With Veterinary and Other Professionals

• Build relationships and mentor junior colleagues

• Consult with veterinarians and specialists

• Delegate tasks and deliver case summaries

• Describe disaster preparedness plans

• Engage regulatory bodies and explain research results

• Guide and train veterinary staff

• Respond to unprofessional behavior

• Write case summaries

With Clients

• Advise on health maintenance, pharmacy compounding, and preventive care

• Discuss euthanasia, antibiotic resistance, and legal drug use

• Explain diagnoses, prognoses, research results, and care instructions

• Help clients differentiate reliable information

• Inform clients of bad news and provide grief counseling

• Instruct on obtaining diagnostic information and isolating diseased animals

• Negotiate payment plans and obtain informed consent

• Provide follow-up care instructions

Professionalism, Practice Management, and Wellness

Veterinary Practice Management

• Apply animal restraint techniques

• Develop budgets, standard operating procedures, and employee handbooks

• Evaluate and purchase medical equipment and software

• Negotiate work arrangements and review management data

• Supervise staff and purchase supplies

Professional Development and Lifelong Learning

• Attend professional development seminars and training

• Conduct oneself professionally and ethically

• Consult reference materials and exchange information

• Participate in professional associations and development activities

• Read journal articles and participate in research

Preventive Medicine and Animal Welfare

Animal Welfare Issues and Concerns

• Certify standards for animals and products

• Conduct welfare audits and manage animal welfare problems

• Verify compliance with guidelines

• Work with community groups on animal welfare issues

Environmental Health and Safety

• Apply disease control measures and ensure proper waste disposal

• Evaluate animal environments for public health concerns

• Inform communities about waste management and humane animal termination

• Monitor workplace safety

Veterinary Public Health

• Apply isolation and quarantine procedures

• Collaborate on public health issues

• Conduct community education and stakeholder consultations

• Formulate public health management plans

• Inform about zoonotic disease prevention and treatment

• Inspect food safety and investigate disease outbreaks

Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics

• Apply epidemiological and biostatistical principles

• Interpret and investigate epidemiological problems

• Report zoonotic diseases to agencies

The NAVLE blueprint reflects these domains, ensuring that the examination comprehensively evaluates the competencies required for effective veterinary practice.