What to Know About the Independent Audit of the NAVLE

In December 2025, ICVA announced its decision to initiate an independent third-party audit of the NAVLE to ensure the veterinary community feels confident in the exam’s rigor and integrity. ICVA recognizes the importance of this work and is committed to ensuring the NAVLE continues to serve as a fair and impartial assessment of candidates’ entry-level knowledge, skills, and abilities.

The audit is currently underway and expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027.

Why is ICVA doing an audit?

We have heard from members of the veterinary community who have raised questions around how the NAVLE is developed, administered, and scored. To ensure the NAVLE continues to be a fair and impartial assessment of candidates’ entry-level knowledge, skills and abilities, and to maintain confidence in the exam, we have made the decision to initiate an audit of the examination.

Who is doing the audit?

ICVA is committed to the independence of the audit, and asked Dorsey & Whitney LLP to manage the audit process. Dorsey issued a request for proposals and selected ACS Ventures, Inc., to conduct the audit.

ACS Ventures is an industry-leading test-development and psychometric company with significant experience conducting independent audits of credentialing organizations. Its audits have assessed test development, administration, and validation, as well as compliance with applicable regulations.

What will the audit cover?

The audit of the NAVLE will include, but not be limited to, the validity, reliability, and fairness throughout the examination cycle. ACS Ventures will consider and apply industry standards and best practices in its evaluation of the NAVLE.

The firm will act independently when determining the manner and means through which it will conduct its audit and will reach its findings and conclusions independently, according to its professional judgment.