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Potential candidates please note: ECFVG program registration does not automatically result in application for the Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination (BCSE). To be eligible to apply for the BCSE (ECFVG Step 3), a candidate MUST first register in the certification program and complete ECFVG Step 2 (English language assessment). Only then will a candidate receive a BCSE application, which outlines the fees and application process. Candidates CANNOT apply for the BCSE without a BCSE application.

Candidates MUST plan accordingly and submit all program registration materials and proof of completion of ECFVG Step 2 well ahead of—at least 6 weeks prior to—the BCSE application deadline.

The 2009 BCSE testing windows and corresponding BCSE application deadlines are:

2010 BCSE testing windows and BCSE application deadlines will be finalized later this year and reported in the July/August 2009 ECFVG News Update. Questions regarding the BCSE should be directed to the Testing Coordinator at ECFVG@avma.org.

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On the basis of a standard setting exercise conducted in June 2008, the ECFVG has determined new minimum requirements for the iB-TOEFL. Between December 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009, the Commission will accept iB-TOEFL score reports that meet EITHER the old or new requirements. Effective July 1, 2009, the ECFVG will accept ONLY score reports that meet the new iB-TOEFL requirements.

The new minimum requirements for the iB-TOEFL are: 25 in listening, 22 in writing, 22 in speaking, and 23 in reading; no minimum overall score is required. Candidates MUST achieve at least the minimum passing scores for each of the four sections of the internet-based TOEFL, with section scores accepted from separate internet-based TOEFL exam administrations conducted over a two-year period.

The old minimum requirements for the iB-TOEFL are as follows: 80 overall, with at least a 26 in listening, a 17 in writing, and a 26 in speaking. The ECFVG CANNOT accept section scores from separate iB-TOEFL exam administrations; candidates MUST achieve at least the minimum overall passing score and minimum passing scores for the three required sections of the iB-TOEFL on the same exam administration.

These changes are only for the iB-TOEFL. The IELTS and CAEL assessment requirements have not changed.

Complete Step 2 information is available at: www.avma.org/education/ecfvg/ecfvg_pp_steps.asp#step2. Questions regarding Step 2 should be directed to the ECFVG Coordinator at ECFVG@avma.org.

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Beginning with the May 2009 administration, the BCSE will be offered at Prometric test centers in a number of different countries. Additional fees will apply for scheduling at centers outside the US, US territories, or Canada as follows (for 2009):

*Additional fee MUST be paid by the ECFVG candidate directly to Prometric at the time the candidate schedules his/her testing appointment.

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The ECFVG does allow rescheduling, but NOT cancelling, a testing appointment within the same window once one has been made. Rescheduling a testing appointment must be done through Prometric (not the ECFVG office) at www.prometric.com/AVMA or, during regular weekday business hours, 800-864-5312; ext 4510, and the following fees apply for 2009:

Candidates who schedule or reschedule an appointment and then do not keep that appointment will be required to reapply for the examination and pay all applicable fees. Only in extreme hardship situations (eg, documented medical condition of the candidate or death in the immediate family) will cancelled examinations (ie, no shows) be rescheduled to a later test window without forfeiture of all fees. The ECFVG will make determinations of exceptions allowed.

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The ECFVG office receives numerous inquiries regarding CPE application status. The following explains the CPE request and application process and may alleviate the need for repeated phone and E-mail inquiries as to an individual's application status:

GENERAL REQUEST AND APPLICATION PROCESS

1. The ECFVG office will notify candidates when they become CPE eligible; and only CPE-eligible candidates can submit a CPE application request or a completed application.
2. Requests for CPE applications and completed CPE applications, including retake applications, are date stamped on receipt in the ECFVG office.
3. Date-stamped requests and completed applications, which must include the appropriate fee(s), are processed ONLY once a month and in the order in which received.

REQUESTS FOR CPE APPLICATIONS WITH APPROPRIATE FEES

1. All date-stamped requests for a CPE application will be processed ONLY during the first full work week of each month.
2. Requests received on or prior to the 1st day of each month will be processed that month; requests received after the first day of the month will be processed the subsequent month. For example, a request for a CPE application with appropriate fees received in the ECFVG office on April 17, 2009 will be date stamped April 17th, but not processed until the first full week in May (May 4-8).
3. Once requests are processed, CPE applications will be sent via US mail to candidates at the end of that week, and candidates should expect to receive their application approximately 1 week later.

COMPLETED CPE APPLICATIONS WITH APPROPRIATE FEES

1. All date-stamped CPE applications will be processed ONLY during the last full work week of each month.
2. Completed applications with appropriate fees received on or prior to the 22nd day of each month will be processed that month in the order in which they were received; applications received after the 22nd day of each month will be processed the last week of the following month. For example, a CPE application received on May 22, 2009 will be processed the final week in May (May 25-29); whereas an application received on May 25 will be processed June 22-26.
3. Letters confirming the assigned CPE date will be sent via US mail to candidates at the end of the last week of each month, and candidates should expect to receive confirmation of their CPE date approximately 1 week later.

Candidates—please note that depending on when your request or completed application was received in the ECFVG office, you will receive your CPE application or confirmation of your CPE date two to six weeks later. In the meantime, please refrain from making repeated telephone or E-mail inquiries to the Testing Coordinator to check on your CPE request or application status; otherwise, processing delays may result. Thank you for your consideration.

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The ECFVG has established policies and procedures designed to assist candidates with navigating through the certification program—including the recently updated Appeal Procedure; the Complaints Procedure; ECFVG step-specific requirements and processes; and release of information policy. The Commission urges all registered and potential candidates to familiarize themselves with certification program policies by reviewing the entire ECFVG Policies and Procedures Manual, available online at www.avma.org/education/ecfvg/ecfvg_pp_toc.asp. Questions regarding certification program policies should be directed to the ECFVG Coordinator at ECFVG@avma.org (800-248-2862, ext 6623).

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The ECFVG will have several vacancies for multi-year terms beginning July 2009. The nomination deadline is May 1. The Commission encourages interested individuals to review nomination requirements at www.avma.org/about_avma/governance/volunteering/committees/ecfvg.asp. Questions regarding responsibilities of Commission members can be addressed to any of the current members.

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The ECFVG office receives numerous phone call and E-mail inquiries on a daily basis. To ensure equal access to ECFVG staff members and timely processing of all candidate requests, inquiries are answered in order of receipt and in accordance with the nature of the inquiry as follows:

1. Written (including E-mail) requests for transfer of ECFVG program status to a state regulatory board or other agency are completed within 5 working days of receipt. Verbal requests for such transfer cannot be accommodated. Candidates will not receive a copy of the status report, but can follow-up with the regulatory board or other agency to ensure receipt approximately 10 working days after submitting the request.
2. Score reports for the English language examinations or score transfers from other testing agencies including the Canadian National Examining Board are processed within 10 working days of receipt. The candidate can expect to receive an updated status report, sent via US mail, approximately 10 working days later. Please verify with the testing agency to ensure on what date scores were transferred before contacting the ECFVG office to check status.
3. Re-registration forms are processed within 10 working days of receipt. The candidate can expect to receive an updated status report, sent via US mail, approximately 20 working days after submitting the re-registration form. If not, please feel free to contact the ECFVG Coordinator at 800-248-2862, ext 6623 (ECFVG@avma.org).
4. New registration packets are processed within 15 working days of receipt. The candidate can expect to receive a status report, sent via US mail to the address on the registration form, approximately 20 working days after submitting the initial registration form. If not, please feel free to contact the ECFVG Coordinator at 800-248-2862, ext 6623 (ECFVG@avma.org).
5. Written (including E-mail) requests for change of address or other contact information are completed within 15 working days. Verbal requests for such changes cannot be accommodated. The candidate can expect to receive an updated status report, sent via US mail, approximately 15 working days after submitting such a request. If not, please feel free to contact the ECFVG Coordinator at 800-248-2862, ext 6623 (ECFVG@avma.org).

Please be mindful of these processing times to ensure you will be able to meet any application deadlines and to decrease the number of repeat inquiries to the ECFVG office regarding status of requests. Thank you for your consideration.

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