Posted: 7-16-2020

Kentucky Joins Growing List of PAVE^® Jurisdictions

The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB^®) is pleased to announce that the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners is the 45th U.S. jurisdiction to accept the PAVE Certificate as part of the licensure process for international veterinary graduates. 54 of the 62 total AAVSB Member Boards now accept PAVE, as well as additional states and provinces in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. PAVE is the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence which evaluates the education equivalence of graduates of non-accredited veterinary programs outside the U.S. and Canada on behalf of participating AAVSB Member Boards.

AAVSB Executive Director James T. Penrod, CAE, FASLA, said, "We're pleased the AAVSB's PAVE is continually being recognized and adopted by licensing bodies both within the AAVSB membership and beyond. The strength of the program is the continued involvement of veterinary medicine regulators in its development and administration. We look forward to working with the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners to make this program a success for them."

An international veterinary graduate who has attained their PAVE Certificate through the AAVSB has proven English proficiency, passed the Qualifying Science Examination (QSE), and completed an Evaluated Clinical Experience at an American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA COE) accredited institution.

All prospective veterinarians that wish to practice in the United States must also pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) and fulfill any other requirements set forth by the jurisdiction where the individual wishes to practice.

For more information about PAVE, please email [email protected].

About PAVE: PAVE was designed to evaluate the education equivalence of foreign veterinary graduates (graduates of non-accredited veterinary programs outside the US and Canada) on behalf of participating AAVSB Member Boards. The Qualifying Science Examination (QSE) is owned and administered by the AAVSB and successful completion of the exam is part of PAVE. PAVE is currently used as part of the licensure process in 45 U.S. states/territories, all provinces and territories in Canada, and the countries of Australia and New Zealand.

About the AAVSB: The AAVSB is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen the veterinary regulatory community. The membership of the AAVSB consists of 62 jurisdictions representing all of the United States and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and nine Canadian provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan.