What You Need To Know About Caribbean Vet Schools Accreditation

Choosing the right veterinary school isn’t just about picking a well-known name and earning your degree. Ensuring the program is American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA^®) accredited can save you time and money after graduation as well as improve your career options. More importantly, it speaks to your credibility as a future veterinarian.

Why Do Caribbean Vet Schools Need Accreditation?

Earning accreditation is a voluntary process, but undergoing it speaks to the quality of a school’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program. Programs with accreditation from the AVMA meet the same current standards as vet schools in the United States and abroad, ensuring students are equipped to become well-qualified veterinarians. These programs are routinely monitored to ensure any changes continue to be in compliance with the appropriate educational standards, so they can be eligible to earn licensure from the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE) after graduation.  

Since earning accreditation is also mandatory for schools to participate in financial aid programs, attending an accredited vet school in the Caribbean may allow you to cover some of your tuition with federal scholarships, loans, or grants. Beyond having more options to fund your education, it may also enhance your credibility in specialized fields of study and the job market.  

What Happens if You Graduate From a Non-Accredited Vet School?

Graduating from a non-accredited vet school can lead to many unexpected, and costly, roadblocks when you try to pursue a specialty or enter the workforce.

Without accreditation, there’s no guarantee the program of your choice meets the same rigorous standards as their accredited counterparts. As a result, you won’t be eligible for NAVLE licensure right after graduation. You’d need to first take an exam that assesses the quality of your prior training like the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG^®) program or the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE). After earning one of those and passing the Step 3 exam of your respective program, you’ll be eligible to take the NAVLE and earn licensure.

Taking the NAVLE for the 2024-25 testing cycle costs $760 USD and there’s an additional $365 international testing fee for those testing outside of the U.S., its territories, and Canada. Add a $675 ECFVG program application fee and $725 ECFVG quality assurance program (QAP) fee, that’s an additional $1,400 on top of the NAVLE fees just for the application.  

ECFVG fees include:

• $220 for the basic and clinical sciences exam
• $200¹ administrative fee for the clinical proficiency exam (CPE)
• $7,430¹  CPE

¹ May be paid in two installments: the first for $1,000 and the second for $6,630. The second installment can only be paid via cashier’s check or money order and made payable to the AVMA.

The $675 application fee is nonrefundable, but the $725 QAP fee can be refunded on request.

If you prefer PAVE over ECFVG, you’ll have to pay $390 for the PAVE application fee and $1,550 for the qualifying science examination fee.  

What Makes a Vet School Accredited?

The AVMA Council on Education (COE) has strict requirements DVM programs must meet to maintain accreditation and offer training for students. Some key components include having:

• A licensed veterinarian as the chief executive officer/dean employed full-time at the school. They can’t have other jobs outside of work that conflict with their college responsibilities.  
• A comprehensive, hands-on curriculum that offers education on par with educational institutes
• Safe, clean, and appropriately equipped facilities for teaching and clinical training
• Animal housing that meets acceptable welfare standards
• Access to a veterinary teaching hospital or affiliations with external veterinary hospitals that provide necessary services such as pharmacology, diagnostic imaging, critical care, and necropsy
• A minimum 80% NAVLE pass rate for graduating seniors

Addressing Common Misconceptions About Caribbean Vet School Accreditation

Caribbean vet schools aren’t accredited.

This isn’t true. Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (Ross Vet) and St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine are accredited by the AVMA, meaning education obtained at either of these schools is globally recognized and prepares you to take NAVLE.  

A degree earned in the Caribbean isn’t valid in the U.S.

As long as your DVM degree is obtained from an AVMA-accredited institution, your degree is valid in the U.S.

Accreditation doesn’t expire.

Accreditation can expire or be revoked if an institution does not continue to meet AVMA COE requirements. Programs that are accredited undergo regular site visits and evaluations to ensure they’re in compliance with the latest standards.

Caribbean vet schools are easier than U.S. vet schools.

Not true. DVM programs in the Caribbean with AVMA accreditation are just as rigorous as accredited programs in the United States.

Caribbean vet schools have lower admissions standards than U.S. vet schools.

While some Caribbean vet schools take a holistic approach to admissions, it doesn’t mean their standards are lower. They still want highly motivated students who’ve completed the necessary prerequisite courses, gained meaningful hands-on experience, and are dedicated to improving the lives of animals across the globe.

How To Verify Accreditation Status for Caribbean Vet Schools

There are several ways you can verify a Caribbean vet school’s accreditation status. Accredited schools are proud to display this accomplishment on their website, so prospective students know what it is and how this voluntary status benefits students. If you can’t find this information on their website, you could either contact the admissions office or go directly to the AVMA’s website. They have a comprehensive list of accredited and provisionally accredited veterinary schools in the United States and abroad as well as dates for their upcoming evaluation.

Having accreditation is optional, but the benefits it provides can set graduates up for a smoother transition into the workforce and earning licensure. If you’re interested in a Caribbean vet school, remember to prioritize its accreditation status as you narrow your list. This ensures from your first day of class you’re receiving the education, training, and experiences to become a well-respected veterinarian after graduation.

Apply to Ross Vet today to get started.

Questions for Admissions

Let us know what questions you have about Ross Vet and a member of our Admissions team will be in touch. 

Ask a Question