Acceptable time to apply for jobs?

[bow4thecow]

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Hey guys,
I've just started my final year of vet school. I haven't taken the NAVLE yet, but am aiming for April with October as my backup plan. I finish my 4th year my first week of December, but don't get my degree until mid January (I have to apply for a conferral since the standard graduation day isn't until May 2026 - 5 months after we've finished Vet school).

My question is when do we start to apply/look for jobs? Can I apply even before completing my NAVLE? Is there such thing as a provisional license we can use until I get my conferral approved to start working before my degree is physically handed to me? What happens if I apply to a job under the assumption that I'd pass the NAVLE and then fail it?

 

[vetvetvetvet]

As someone who had applied to jobs while still in 4th year and got offered and accepted a job prior to graduating and then to find out I failed the NAVLE, that state did not allow me to work under a orovisional license. So that job was worthless, gone. Most people apply to jobs while still in vet school before having passed the navle, but my opinion is to wait until you get your results to then apply. You can research jobs now, and have your app ready to go so that when your results are in you could send them that day. Or you could apply only to states that allow you to work under another vet’s license in case you don’t pass. The NAVLE pass rate has significantly dropped over the last few years, so that’s what I would do if I were in your position.

 

[bow4thecow]

As someone who had applied to jobs while still in 4th year and got offered and accepted a job prior to graduating and then to find out I failed the NAVLE, that state did not allow me to work under a orovisional license. So that job was worthless, gone. Most people apply to jobs while still in vet school before having passed the navle, but my opinion is to wait until you get your results to then apply. You can research jobs now, and have your app ready to go so that when your results are in you could send them that day. Or you could apply only to states that allow you to work under another vet’s license in case you don’t pass. The NAVLE pass rate has significantly dropped over the last few years, so that’s what I would do if I were in your position.

Wow, thank you for the insight! Do you know how I'd find out information on which states accept provisional license?

 

[pp9]

Hey guys,
I've just started my final year of vet school. I haven't taken the NAVLE yet, but am aiming for April with October as my backup plan. I finish my 4th year my first week of December, but don't get my degree until mid January (I have to apply for a conferral since the standard graduation day isn't until May 2026 - 5 months after we've finished Vet school).

My question is when do we start to apply/look for jobs? Can I apply even before completing my NAVLE? Is there such thing as a provisional license we can use until I get my conferral approved to start working before my degree is physically handed to me? What happens if I apply to a job under the assumption that I'd pass the NAVLE and then fail it?

I would say start looking in late summer to fall - gives you time to figure out interviews, site visits, etc. You can absolutely apply before you've taken the NAVLE, but you do run the risk of having to back out of the job (or at least delay starting) should you fail the exam in October.

I know a few students who failed the NAVLE multiple times and had to back out of internships or jobs. It happens. If you want to work somewhere specific, or for a specific clinic, that opportunity may be gone if you wait to apply. I personally would apply with the intent of passing my NAVLE, but that's just one person's opinion. Even with the recent drop in the pass rate, most people will pass the NAVLE by the time they graduate, if not the first time. The clinics looking at new grads know that you have to pass the NAVLE still.

 

[vetvetvetvet]

Wow, thank you for the insight! Do you know how I'd find out information on which states accept provisional license?

When I looked there was NO information anywhere and my school and the ICVA were also not helpful with any guidance. I had to research a lot from what I remember Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, Utah, Virginia, and Ohio allow you to.

 

[battie]

On the topic of provisional licenses, it's a grey legal zone. You still may be thrown under the bus by whoever you're practicing for. I personally would not bank on finding a job that will take that risk, even in a state where it's legal.

If I'm imagining the timeline correctly (me problem lol), I think you want to take the NAVLE in spring a few months into clinics with potential to take it 10 months into clinics? I think it's doable if you buckle down with vet prep/zuku

 

[JaynaAli]

I graduated on a May timeline, and many of my classmates started job searching in Jan-March, but I’d say just as many were still looking into April and May. If I remember right, @Trilt didn’t start looking for a job until close to graduation? However, it sounds like you’re probably at a school like Ross with rolling semesters so you’ll be graduating in about a year from now? I’d imagine people with job postings available now are really looking for traditional-timeline May grads to fill them. Doesn’t hurt to ask around and reach out/apply because if it’s a great match they may be willing to wait on you, but I bet you’ll probably have the most interest into the fall for positions not filled on that May timeline. If I were hiring that would be my hope anyway. Right now it’s still a pretty decent associate’s market, though that may be changing. I don’t think you need to rush to search, though.