Qualifying Examination (QE)
Updated May 30, 2013
The NBVME, in cooperation with the National Board of Medical Examiners, administers the Qualifying Examination (QE) for use in the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE), a certification program for graduates of non-accredited veterinary colleges offered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards. The QE is required for all PAVE candidates. It covers basic science or pre-clinical subjects taught in the first three years of the curriculum of accredited veterinary schools, but not addressed directly on the NAVLE. The computer-based multiple choice examination has five broad content areas: anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, microbiology, and pathology.
The Qualifying Examination was first administered in August 2002. Beginning with the August 2004 examination, the QE has been administered via the internet using web-based testing.
All candidates taking the QE must agree with a confidentiality statement before they are able to take the examination. See the Irregular Behavior page for more information.
The QE is also offered to students at several accredited veterinary medical schools as a standardized assessment of basic science knowledge. Administrations at accredited schools take place on the same dates used for PAVE candidates. Accredited schools interested in using the QE should contact the NBVME office.
Testing Dates
The QE is offered three times per year.
Testing dates for the 2013-2014 cycle are:
- September 12, 2013
- January 16, 2014
- May 15, 2014
QE Application Process
PAVE candidates apply for the Qualifying Examination through the AAVSB office.
QE Candidate Bulletin
Information regarding the Qualifying Examination is available in the QE Candidate Bulletin.
Practice Versions of the QE
Sample QE questions and a web-based practice version of the QE can be found here.
QE Technical Reports
Annual QE technical reports are available here.
