ECFVG registration guide

 

• Before you read a word or spend a single dollar on this, you need to first make sure that your school is listed in the AVMA ECFVG-listed schools, because if it it not, too bad you can not register. you can find the list here: click here

•  If your school is not listed you can actually list it but you will have to go through a process, you can check details on how to do that here: Click here

•  ECFVG requires that you submit all required documents within 10 days of opening your online account, that's why it is wise to prepare all the required documents before you actually open the account so that you don't miss that deadline. 

•  First you will find a list of all required documents, then you will find a step by step practical guide of how you will prepare this list.

Now here is a list of the documents that you will need to prepare:

1. A completed and notarized ECFVG application form, provided on the registration confirmation page at the end of the online application process. All pages of the application form should be notarized and submitted. This is the form that you will get after you open your online account with the ECFVG and pay the fees by your credit card. Details of how you will notarize will be explained in the step by step guide.
2. One recent photograph (taken within the last 30 days) that meets U.S. passport photo requirements: 2 × 2 inches (5.08 × 5.08 cm), in color, full-face view. U.S. passport photograph requirements can be found at: Click here
3. A PDF copy of the diploma in the original language of issuance, along with a certified English translation. Provisional certificates or certificates of schooling are not accepted as diplomas. This is important, ECFVG do not accept certificates, they only accept the diploma (the one that you hang on the wall). Also note that this will be send by Email as a PDF scan (more details on how you will do that is coming next) . lastly, what if your original diploma issued from school is in English?, in this case you do not need a certified translation, duh!
4. A copy (PDF) of final transcripts for each year of study in the language of issuance and as a certified English translation. A list of course work is not accepted. Same applies here as in the diploma, you will send this by email as a PDF scan and you can issue it from your school in English if this is an option so you will not need a certified translation. 

Now it is time for a step by step guide on how you will actually do this:

Go to your school and get your diploma and final transcripts for each year of study, if they are issued in English then you do not need to translate them. Take a scan of both of them and combine them in one PDF file. You do not need to stamp them from the ministry of foreign affairs, this is not required by the ECFVG and not needed so don't waste your time.

1. Get your picture ready with the requirements listed above.
2. Now you are ready to open your online account. You can do that here: Click here. Fees for registration in 2026 is $1,600.00 USD, than can be paid by credit card. You will get an ID number and an ECFVG application form after you complete registration. 
3. Now you have your ECFVG application form on hand, print it then fill it with all required information, put you photo on the required place on the form, then scan the form and save it as a PDF file.
4. Next step is to notarize the ECFVG application form, you can do that online only through one provider, NotaryCam®. To review requirements and instructions on how to use NotaryCam, please click here. After you notarize with NotaryCam, they will send your notarized application form directly to the ECFVG, you do not need to send it yourself.
5. Now it is time to send your diploma and final transcripts for each year of study to the ECFVG by email: ECFVG@AVMA.org. Your full name and the ECFVG ID number must be included in the email for the ECFVG to verify your identity.
6. The ECFVG verifies all candidates' educational credentials. The ECFVG Coordinator will send a certification of graduation (“COG”) form with your photograph to the dean of the veterinary college from which you graduated. The dean or other college official must verify your identification and graduation date and return the completed form with the college seal affixed to the ECFVG office. You can continue with step 2 while you are waiting for your college to respond, you can even take the BCSE before they respond, but you will not be able to book the CPE until they respond back, but realistically speaking no school will take that much time to respond to an email.

What if I do not want to notarize the ECFVG application form online with Notarycam? 

• In this case nothing change except for this part, you will have to send it physically by mail (remember that all documents must be with the ECFVG within 10 days of opening your online account). The photograph must be glued to the ECFVG application form before the notarization is done in person. The notary public must follow the instructions on the ECFVG application form to notarize the ECFVG application form. The Seal or Stamp of the Notary Public must cover part of the photo and part of the form. In the case that the Seal or Stamp of the official is prohibited from covering part of the photo and part of the form by laws, the notary public must provide an official explanation document with the signature and date of the official attached to the ECFVG application form. then you will send the form to the following address:

American Veterinary Medical Association

Attn: ECFVG

1931 N Meacham Road, Suite 100

Schaumburg, IL 60173-4360

USA

What if I am a final year student?

 In this case you go through the same steps but instead of sending your diploma and transcripts of records you will send the following

1. A copy (PDF) of transcripts for those years of study completed in the language of issuance and as a certified English translation.
2. A letter (PDF) in English from an official of the veterinary college stating that you will graduate within the year. The letter must be submitted directly by the school to the ECFVG by email at ECFVG@AVMA.org or by mail.
3. After your graduation, a copy (PDF) of the diploma and final transcripts in the language of issuance and as a certified English translation must be submitted to the ECFVG at ECFVG@AVMA.org. 

This concludes all required steps for registration, easy beezy!, according to the ECFVG this is step 1. Step 2 is the English language ability. you can not take the BCSE without completing this step.

In this schedule you will find all English language tests approved by the ECFVG and required scores

What to do after finishing your language test:

• The ECFVG verifies all scores. You must complete the submission form in order for the ECFVG to process the step 2 requirements. This form will be available on your account after you create it.

Is there any way that I do not have to take the language test?

• For candidates completing secondary school in the United States, United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland), Australia, New Zealand, or Canada (except Quebec), the English language examinations may be waived. To do so, eligible candidates must provide documentation of at least three years full-time attendance at a secondary (high) school located in one of the above countries at which the complete language of instruction was English.

A very useful resource that you can also check is "common registration mistakes to avoid", you can read it from here