ECFVG

The Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) is a certification program developed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

It’s designed for veterinarians who graduated from schools not accredited by the AVMA but wish to practice in the United States.

Since licensure in the U.S. requires graduation from an accredited program, the ECFVG provides a standardized pathway for international veterinarians to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and readiness to meet U.S. veterinary standards.

The ECFVG certification involves four main steps:
proof of graduation from a veterinary school, demonstration of English language proficiency, passing the Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination (BCSE), and finally, completing the Clinical Proficiency Examination (CPE). This process ensures that candidates meet the same level of competency expected of graduates from accredited institutions.

Once certified, veterinarians can proceed to take the NAVLE® (North American Veterinary Licensing Examination) and apply for state licensure.