EXECUTIVE BOARD COVERAGE

The board approved revisions to the second step in the AVMA Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates certification program.

Step 2 assesses a candidate's English language ability. Non-native English speaking candidates must meet the minimal requirements established by the ECFVG on one of the following standard language assessments—the Test of English as a Foreign Language, Test of Written English, and Test of Spoken English; the Internet-based TOEFL, or iB-TOEFL; the International English Language Testing System; or the Canadian Academic English Language Assessment.

The paper- and computer-based versions of the TOEFL, TWE, TSE, and iB-TOEFL have been phased out in the U.S., and the Educational Testing Service now offers only the iB-TOEFL format. To determine score requirements, the ECFVG hosted a standard-setting workshop this past June, and in September, the commission recommended that the Executive Board approve certain revisions to the minimal requirements for the iB-TOEFL. The new or old requirements will be accepted through June 2009, but thereafter, only scores that meet the new requirements will be accepted.