# COMAR Title 15 — Maryland Department of Agriculture

## Subtitle 14 — Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners

### Chapter 09 — Qualifications for Licensure, by Examination, as a Veterinarian

**Authority:** Agriculture Article, §§2-304 and 2-307, Annotated Code of Maryland

**Administrative History:** Effective date:

**Administrative History:** Regulations .01—.11 adopted as an emergency provision effective January 15, 1980 (7:2 Md. R. 112); adopted permanently effective March 21, 1980 (7:6 Md. R. 609)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02 amended effective July 5, 1982 (9:13 Md. R. 1354); October 7, 1985 (12:20 Md. R. 1930); February 3, 1992 (19:2 Md. R. 156)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02E amended effective November 7, 1983 (10:22 Md. R. 1968)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03 amended effective July 5, 1982 (9:13 Md. R. 1354)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03A amended effective January 23, 1981 (8:2 Md. R. 116); January 18, 1982 (9:1 Md. R. 23); November 7, 1983 (10:22 Md. R. 1968); October 7, 1985 (12:20 Md. R. 1930); February 3, 1992 (19:2 Md. R. 156); August 30, 1993 (20:17 Md. R. 1352)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03C adopted effective February 3, 1992 (19:2 Md. R. 156)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .04 amended effective January 18, 1982 (9:1 Md. R. 23)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .05 amended effective January 18, 1982 (9:1 Md. R. 23); July 5, 1982 (9:13 Md. R. 1354); November 7, 1983 (10:22 Md. R. 1968); October 7, 1985 (12:20 Md. R. 1930)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .06 amended effective July 5, 1982 (9:13 Md. R. 1354); November 22, 1982 (9:23 Md. R. 2261); November 7, 1983 (10:22 Md. R. 1968); October 7, 1985 (12:20 Md. R. 1930)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .06C adopted effective June 1, 1987 (14:11 Md. R. 1261)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .07 repealed effective July 5, 1982 (9:13 Md. R. 1354)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .07 adopted effective November 7, 1983 (10:22 Md. R. 1968)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .07 amended effective October 7, 1985 (12:20 Md. R. 1930)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .09B amended effective July 5, 1983 (10:13 Md. R. 1181)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .09C adopted effective June 4, 1984 (11:11 Md. R. 963)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .11 amended effective November 19, 1984 (11:23 Md. R. 1994)

**Administrative History:** Chapter revised as an emergency provision effective July 17, 2000 (27:16 Md. R. 1519); revised permanently effective October 2, 2000 (27:19 Md. R.1729)

**Administrative History:** Regulations .01—.05 and .07 amended effective June 25, 2001 (28:12 Md. R. 1112)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02B amended as an emergency provision effective August 15, 2006 (33:18 Md. R. 1503); amended permanently effective December 7, 2006 (33:24 Md. R. 1906)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03 amended as an emergency provision effective August 15, 2006 (33:18 Md. R. 1503); amended permanently effective December 7, 2006 (33:24 Md. R. 1906)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .04 amended as an emergency provision effective August 15, 2006 (33:18 Md. R. 1503); amended permanently effective December 7, 2006 (33:24 Md. R. 1906)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .04B, C amended as an emergency provision effective May 24, 2004 (31:12 Md. R. 908); amended permanently effective September 13, 2004 (31:18 Md. R. 1351)

**Administrative History:** Regulations .08—.10 repealed effective June 25, 2001 (28:12 Md. R. 1112)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .08 adopted as an emergency provision effective August 15, 2006 (33:18 Md. R. 1503); adopted permanently effective December 7, 2006 (33:24 Md. R. 1906)

**Administrative History:** Chapter revised as an emergency provision effective June 29, 2007 (34:15 Md. R. 1347); revised permanently effective November 5, 2007 (34:22 Md. R. 1979)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02B amended effective July 11, 2011 (38:14 Md. R. 790); March 16, 2015 (42:5 Md. R. 487)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03A amended effective July 11, 2011 (38:14 Md. R. 790); March 16, 2015 (42:5 Md. R. 487)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03D amended effective December 17, 2018 (45:25 Md. R. 1206)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03E amended effective August 5, 2024 (51:15 Md. R. 711)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .04 amended effective July 11, 2011 (38:14 Md. R. 790)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .04B amended effective December 17, 2018 (45:25 Md. R. 1206)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .05A, B amended effective December 17, 2018 (45:25 Md. R. 1206)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .05B amended effective July 11, 2011 (38:14 Md. R. 790)

#### Regulation .01 Scope.

*COMAR 15.14.09.01*

This chapter pertains to any individual applying to the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners for licensure, by examination, to practice veterinary medicine in this State.

#### Regulation .02 Definitions.

*COMAR 15.14.09.02*

A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

  (1) “AVMA” means the American Veterinary Medical Association.

  (2) “BCSE” means the Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination, developed by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates.

  (3) “Board Examination” means the reading and comprehension of the laws and regulations governing the practice of veterinary medicine in Maryland.

  (4) “CCT” means the Clinical Competency Test prepared by the Professional Testing Service.

  (5) “CPE” means the Clinical Proficiency Examination given by the AVMA.

  (6) “ECFVG” means the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates.

  (7) “Evaluated clinical experience” means a minimum of a 12-month period during which a PAVE candidate is evaluated by clinical faculty at an AVMA-accredited veterinary college.

  (8) “Foreign veterinary graduate” or “FVG” means an individual who has received a professional veterinary medical degree from an AVMA-listed veterinary college which is not approved or accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

  (9) “Maryland State Examination” means:

    (a) The Board Examination and the NAVLE;

    (b) The BCSE and CPE, if the applicant is an FVG; and

    (c) Evaluated clinical experience, if the applicant is a PAVE graduate.

  (10) “NAVLE” means the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination, produced by the National Board Examination Committee, assessing the applicant's practice competence for licensure as a veterinarian.

  (11) “NBE” means the National Board Examination prepared by the Professional Examination Service.

  (12) “NBVME” means the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

  (13) “PAVE” means the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence.

  (14) “PAVE graduate” means an individual who has been issued a certificate by the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence after successfully completing a minimum of 12 months of evaluated clinical experience at a veterinary college accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

  (15) “State Board” means the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

#### Regulation .03 Maryland State Examination.

*COMAR 15.14.09.03*

A. Subject Matter.

  (1) The Maryland State Examination shall consist of the:

    (a) Board Examination;

    (b) NAVLE;

    (c) BCSE and CPE, if the applicant is an FVG; and

    (d) Evaluated clinical experience, if the applicant is a PAVE graduate.

  (2) In lieu of a passing score on the NAVLE, the Board, as provided under §E(2) of this regulation, may accept an applicant's passing scores on the NBE and CCT.

B. Time and Place for Taking the NAVLE. The NBVME shall specify the times and locations for taking the NAVLE.

C. Passing Score for the NAVLE. The NBVME shall establish the passing score for the NAVLE. If the applicant passes the NAVLE, the applicant shall inform the NBVME to notify the State Board in writing of this accomplishment.

D. The Board Examination. To pass the Board Examination, an applicant shall read and comprehend the laws and regulations governing the practice of veterinary medicine in this State, and shall sign a statement before a notary public attesting to this fact or shall sign an online statement in conjunction with the Board’s online application process attesting to this fact with a signature that may be electronic.

E. State Board's Acceptance of Passing Scores on Previously Taken Tests.

  (1) The NAVLE. If an applicant has previously taken and passed the NAVLE, the State Board shall accept the applicant’s passing score on it, if the passing score is not more than 7 years old. After this 7-year period, the applicant shall retake and pass the NAVLE to be eligible for licensure in this State, if the applicant does not meet the requirements set forth in COMAR 15.14.08 for veterinarians who are licensed in another state or foreign jurisdiction.

  (2) NBE and CCT. If an applicant has previously taken and passed the NBE and CCT, the Board shall accept the applicant’s passing scores on these tests, if these scores are not more than 7 years old. After this 7-year period, the applicant shall take and pass the NAVLE to be eligible for licensure in this State, if the applicant does not meet the requirements set forth in COMAR 15.14.08 for veterinarians who are licensed in another state or foreign jurisdiction.

#### Regulation .04 Application Process for Taking the Maryland State Examination.

*COMAR 15.14.09.04*

A. Eligibility. To be eligible to take the Maryland State Examination, an examination applicant shall:

  (1) Be graduated from an AVMA-accredited or approved school of veterinary medicine;

  (2) Be within approximately 8 months of graduating from an AVMA-accredited or approved school of veterinary medicine on the date the examination is taken;

  (3) If an FVG, be enrolled in, or have received a certificate from, the ECFVG program; or

  (4) If a PAVE candidate, be enrolled in, or have received a certificate from, the PAVE.

B. Board Examination. To take the Board Examination, an applicant shall submit the following to the State Board within 1 year from the date the Board has received the application:

  (1) A complete and notarized examination application on a form provided by the Board or an online examination application developed by the Board and submitted online with a signature that may be electronic;

  (2) The application fee, as provided in COMAR 15.14.12.02, in the form of a check or money order, payable to the Maryland Department of Agriculture or in the form of an online credit card payment or other electronic payment submitted in conjunction with an online application developed by the Board;

  (3) One 2-inch by 3-inch headshot photograph of the applicant, taken within 6 months of the application date, with the applicant's complete signature on the photograph or a headshot photograph of the applicant, taken within 6 months of the application date, that is uploaded with an online application developed by the Board and attested to as true and accurate with a signature that may be electronic; and

  (4) The following information pertaining to the applicant's schooling:

    (a) For the graduate of an AVMA-accredited or approved school of veterinary medicine, a school authenticated copy of the applicant's transcript or diploma, and, if applicable, an English translation;

    (b) For the student within approximately 8 months of graduating from an AVMA-accredited or approved school of veterinary medicine, a letter from the school indicating the student's expected date of graduation;

    (c) For the FVG:

      (i) A school authenticated copy of the applicant's veterinary medical school transcript, and, if applicable, an English translation; and

      (ii) An ECFVG certificate or, if currently enrolled in the ECFVG program, a letter from the school offering this program indicating the applicant's participation in it; and

    (d) For the PAVE candidate:

      (i) A school authenticated copy of the applicant’s veterinary medical school transcript or diploma and, if applicable, an English translation; and

      (ii) A PAVE certificate or, if currently enrolled in the PAVE, a letter from the school offering this program indicating the applicant’s participation in it.

C. NAVLE.

  (1) To sit for a scheduled NAVLE, an examination applicant shall submit to the NBVME, by a date specified by the NBVME, the following:

    (a) The information specified under §B(4) of this regulation pertaining to the applicant's schooling, so that the NBVME may determine whether the applicant is eligible to take this examination;

    (b) Completed NBVME application to take the NAVLE; and

    (c) The requisite fees associated with taking the NAVLE.

  (2) If the NBVME determines that the applicant is eligible to take the NAVLE, it shall notify the applicant.

#### Regulation .05 License Issuance.

*COMAR 15.14.09.05*

Except as otherwise provided under COMAR 15.14.08, the Board may not issue a license to practice veterinary medicine in this State to an applicant unless the applicant:

A. Passes the Maryland State Examination, including submission of the notarized statement or submission of an online electronic signature in conjunction with an online application attesting to the fact that the applicant has read, and comprehends, the laws and regulations governing the practice of veterinary medicine in this State;

B. Submits the following information pertaining to the applicant's schooling:

  (1) For the graduate of an AVMA-accredited or approved school of veterinary medicine, a school authenticated copy of the applicant's transcript or diploma, and, if applicable, an English translation; or

  (2) For the FVG:

    (a) A school authenticated copy of the applicant's veterinary medical school transcript, and, if applicable, an English translation; and

    (b) Either:

      (i) A copy of the applicant's ECFVG certificate; or

      (ii) A copy of the applicant’s PAVE certificate; and

C. Meets all other requirements specified by law.

#### Regulation .06 ECFVG.

*COMAR 15.14.09.06*

A. Until June 30, 2012, an applicant shall obtain the clinical portion of the ECFVG program in one of the following ways:

  (1) Obtaining a passing score on a CPE approved by the ECFVG; or

  (2) Completing 1 year of evaluated clinical experience at an AVMA-accredited or approved school of veterinary medicine if that evaluated clinical experience was completed by June 30, 2007.

B. After June 30, 2012, an applicant shall obtain the clinical portion of the ECFVG program by obtaining a passing score on a CPE approved by the ECFVG.

#### Regulation .07 Notice of Pass or Fail of Maryland State Examination.

*COMAR 15.14.09.07*

The Board shall notify each candidate if the candidate passes or fails the Maryland State Examination.

#### Regulation .08 Taking Examination After Failure.

*COMAR 15.14.09.08*

After failing the NAVLE, a candidate may take another examination by:

A. Making application directly to the NBVME; and

B. Meeting all other conditions as specified by the NBVME or its authorized representative.