CVM class scores record high on national licensure test

Western University of Health Sciences’ College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) students from the Class of 2011 scored a record high of 98 percent on their North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) final pass rate.

The recently graduated veterinary students’ scores included test results from November and December 2010, as well as new and retaken testing from April 2011.

The 2011 class score is on par with the national average pass rate of 98 percent. Of the 92 students in CVM’s class, 90 passed, which is the college’s highest pass total. CVM students began taking the NAVLE in the 2006-07 academic year.

CVM Dean Phillip Nelson, DVM, PhD, said he’s proud of the performance of the 2011 class, and is excited to see the contributions they make to the veterinary profession.

“”It (the pass rate) is a testament to their collective hard work and the quality of their training provided by our faculty and staff,”” he said. “”It is also an indication of the quality of these individuals who have recently entered the workforce. They are very capable people, and they’ve been prepared to meet the demands of society.””

The NAVLE is a requirement for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in all licensing jurisdictions in North America. The NAVLE consists of 360 clinically relevant multiple-choice questions. Fourth-year students from all 28 veterinary medicine colleges in the U.S. take the national licensure test.

Each senior veterinary medical student first passes the NAVLE in order to be a licensed practicing veterinarian. After passing this exam, students then take a state exam in the state they wish to become licensed, said Teresa Y. Morishita, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACPV, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Poultry Medicine and Food Safety for CVM.

“”This is phenomenal for our students,”” said Morishita. “”It’s a great example that the teaching paradigm with CVM is working.””