Remedial Assessment for Veterinarians with Foreign Qualifications (non-EU/EEA or Switzerland)

For more information about recognition, admission and registration as a veterinarian with a foreign degree in veterinary medicine, please visit the register of Veterinary Medical Practitioners.

You may choose to take the Veterinary Medicine knowledge and skills test at Utrecht University, provided the CBGD has indicated your eligibility after their initial assessment of your performance level. The results of this test will be additionally considered by the CBGD during a subsequent assessment.

After you have taken the KVD test, the CBGD reassesses your file taking into account the test results. A recommendation from the CBGD follows this reassessment.

After a positive advice from the CBGD for participation in the Remedial Course, you can register for this course at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

You are eligible for the Veterinary Medicine Knowledge and Skills Test at Utrecht University if you:

• Have applied for recognition, admission and registration in the ‘Register of Veterinary Medical Practitioners’;

• Have obtained a first assessment of your performance level by the Commission for Foreign Animal Healthcare Graduates (CBGD) to be at least at the level of the Dutch bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine.

Registration is only possible with the letter containing the CBGD’s recommendation, which grants you permission to register for the Knowledge and Skills Test (KVD Test).

As soon as the test dates are published on our website, you can register for the Knowledge and Skills Test (See Test dates to register). Please note that this can only be done with the CBGD recommendation letter. The application form asks you to upload this letter.

The KVD Test is held three times a year on-site at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Once you have registered, you must sit both exams. These cannot be taken separately.

• Late January/early February

• May/June

• October

You can register for the October 2026 test from June 5 to August 15 via this form.

• Knowledge test: October 9th 2026 from 08:30 to 13:00  

• Skills test: October 13th 2026 from 08:30 to 16:30

You can register for the January 2027 test from October 15 to November 30.

• Knowledge test: January 25th 2027 from 08:30 to 13:00 

• Skills test: January 25th 2027 from 08:30 to 16:30

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yalelaan, Utrecht.

The test is offered in Dutch or English at CEFR language level B2. (You may indicate your preferred language yourself.) It is recommended, but not compulsory, that you have a command of the chosen language at this level when taking the test. This is to ensure that you can interpret the questions correctly. In addition, during the skills test, you are expected to be able to clearly justify your answers.

You will be allocated time slots for both tests on two different days.

With the knowledge part of the Knowledge and Skills Test, the current level of your veterinary knowledge is determined. Because it concerns knowledge already acquired, this part cannot be prepared.  

The topics covered are:

• Basic Sciences

• Clinical sciences companion animals and horses

• Clinical sciences farm animals, including topics within animal husbandry

• Food safety and quality, public health, and One Health principles.

To prepare for the knowledge and skills test, once you have paid the invoice for the KVD test, you will gain access to a digital platform containing several items in English and Dutch:

Preparation for the Knowledge test: 

• Information about the test

• Sample questions for the knowledge test. 

These sample questions give you an idea of the way in which questions may be asked in the knowledge test. The sample questions do not reflect the level of difficulty of the questions or the distribution of questions across the main groups in the knowledge test. Given the wide variety of topics covered in the knowledge test, we cannot recommend a single book or a shortlist of books to read.

Preparation for the Skills test: 

• Information about the test

• Link to a book about physical examination in Companion animals  

• E-modules on clinical examination of various animal species.  

• Instructions and case studies on clinical reasoning. It is strongly recommended that you undertake this preparation thoroughly. 

The outcome of the test is assessed by the CBGD and taken into account in establishing a second opinion. The 3 possible outcomes are:

1. Decision 'equivalent': you will be registered in the Veterinary Medicine Register.

2. Decision 'not equivalent, additional training possible': You can participate in a customized program. In this track of up to 1 year the missing knowledge and skills will be remedied. The CBGD determines what this tailor-made course looks like for each candidate. When the trajectory has been successfully completed, you can submit a new request for registration in the Veterinary Medicine Register to the CBGD.

3. Decision 'not equivalent, additional training not possible': Participation in the remedial course is not possible. To be registered in the Veterinary Medicine Register, you must obtain a master's degree in Veterinary Medicine or you must obtain both the bachelor's and master's degree in Veterinary Medicine in order to be subsequently registered in the Veterinary Medicine Register. Please contact the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. 

Report of examination results for the CBGD.

The exam may be retaken once. This may not take place earlier than 6 months after sitting the first exam. The cost of the resit is the same as the cost of the first exam.

It is not possible to appeal against the test score. However, it is possible to appeal against the outcome of the CBGD’s recommendation. The CBGD can assist you further with this.

The fee for the Knowledge and Skills Test is EUR 1,600 (2026/VAT exempt). After registering online, you will receive an invoice by email. This must be paid no later than one month before the first test date.

Candidates taking part in the KVD-test and the remedial course do not classify for student loans, as it is not classified as a CROHO program. One could consider it as ‘continuous professional education’ which does not apply for student loans, versus a study program for a BSc or MSc degree which does.

The invoice is subject to the General Terms and Conditions of Delivery of Utrecht University and the Supplementary Terms and Conditions of Delivery of the KVD Test for foreign-qualified veterinarians.

• General Terms and Conditions of Delivery of Utrecht University (PDF)

• Supplementary Terms and Conditions of Delivery of the KVD Test for foreign-qualified veterinarians (PDF)

You are eligible for admission to the Remedial Course if you meet the following entry requirements:

• Applied for recognition, admission and registration in the register of Veterinary Medical Practitioners on the basis of a non-EEA or Swiss diploma in veterinary medicine;

• Have been advised by the CBGD that you are eligible for a Veterinary Medicine Knowledge and Skills Test at Utrecht University (KVD Test);

• Have taken the KVD Test at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine;

• Have submitted the report 'KVD Test results' to the CBGD;

• Received a 'decision compensatory measure' Issued by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature.

• Officially meet the language proficiency requirements of Dutch and English. 

English (you need to show the results of one of these test):

• IELTS, Academic Module. The minimum required IELTS score (overall band) is: 6.5 with at least 6.0 for the sections ‘writing, speaking, listening and reading’.

• TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language). The minimum required TOEFL score is 93 (internet-based test) with at least a score of 24 for reading, 22 for listening, 20 for speaking and 20 for writing. ITP-TOEFL scores are not accepted.

• Cambridge Certificate (not available to students from China):

• Cambridge English C1 Advanced (CAE). Minimum score: 176 total, 169 for writing

• Cambridge English C2 Proficiency (CPE). Minimum score: 180 total, 169 for writing 
  
  Exceptions:

• You do not need to submit proof of language proficiency if you:

• Obtained a degree from a Dutch university

• Obtained a high school diploma and/or bachelor's degree in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States or South Africa

• Obtained an IB Diploma or EB Diploma (for English language education).

Dutch:

• NT2, Program II (Dutch as a second language, level 2), taken by the Examination Services Department of 'DUO'. It is advisable to register with DUO as soon as possible.

• Certificate Dutch as a Foreign Language: 'Educative Professional' (formerly PAT) or 'Educative Capable to start' (formerly PTHO). 

The course is taught entirely in Dutch. 

If, following a positive recommendation from the CBGD regarding participation in the remedial course, you meet the language proficiency requirements, you can register for the remedial course. 

The remedial course can start (subject to sufficient enrolment) in June and November of each year. The remedial course comprises a maximum of 60 ECTS (1 year). 

1. Enrolment & Registration

2. You will receive a provisional timetable

3. You will receive an overview of the costs and a first invoice for the course.

4. After payment of the first invoice you will receive a login for the platform we use, along with further information about the courses to be taken, and the corresponding study guides.

5. One month before the course begins, you will receive your timetable.

Generic part

• Introduction to Veterinary Practice in the Netherlands (15 EC)

Tailor-made part

• Core rotations in Veterinary Public Health (7.5 EC)
• Core rotations in Equine Medicine (7.5 EC)
• Core rotations in Farm Animal Health (7.5 EC)
• Core rotations in Companion Animals (7.5 EC)
• Extramural education (15 EC) 

Example Remedial Course (PDf)

Mainly on-site, supplemented by self-study, both individually and in groups. This partly depends on the modules to be taken. 

Minimum 4 months and maximum 12 months. The course can only be taken full-time with a study load averaging 40 hours per week. Please note that for the core rotations in equine and companion animals, you will rotate for a period of time during the course with some shifts at the University Animal Hospital.

Upon completion of the course, you will receive a Certificate. You must submit this Certificate to the CBGD. They will take this into account when reassessing your file. 

The costs of the course depend on your prior education and existing knowledge (maximum EUR 20,927).

Generic part

• Introduction to Veterinary Practice in the Netherlands (15 EC – EUR 6,643)

Tailor-made part

• Clinical rotations in Veterinary Public Health (7.5 EC/EUR 3,321)

• Clinical rotations in Equine Medicine (7.5 EC/EUR 3,321)

• Clinical rotations in Farm Animal Health (7.5 EC/EUR 3,321)

• Clinical rotations in Companion Animals (7.5 EC/EUR 3,321)

• Clinical rotations (15 EC/EUR 1,000/travel expenses at own expense)

Candidates taking part in the KVD-test and the remedial course do not classify for student loans, as it is not classified as a CROHO program. One could consider it as ‘continuous professional education’ which does not apply for student loans, versus a study program for a BSc or MSc degree which does.

The invoice is subject to the General Terms and Conditions of Delivery of Utrecht University and the Supplementary Terms and Conditions of Delivery for the Remedial course for veterinarians qualified abroad.

• General Terms and Conditions of Delivery of Utrecht University

• Aanvullende Leveringsvoorwaarden Remediëringstraject buitenlands gediplomeerde (PDF in Dutch)

Unfortunately, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine cannot offer any support with funding for the test and/or the remedial course. However, in exceptional cases, it is possible to pay for the KVD Test in instalments. The remedial course is always invoiced in instalments.

Unfortunately, for GDPR reasons, it is not possible to put you in touch with other candidates.

Given the nature and content of the KVD test and the remedial course, we cannot fully guarantee that participation will not pose any risks to you and your unborn child. Your health and safety, as well as that of your baby, are of course our top priority. Participation is at your own risk. The regulations that apply to our own students also apply to the remedial course.   

During the practical exam of the KVD-test and the clinical rotations, it is important that you are fully mobile. For example, you must be able to move away quickly and squat or kneel when necessary. This is because a great deal of hands-on teaching and patient care takes place. If you are unable to move freely, we cannot sufficiently guarantee the safety of yourself, the animals, and the environment. For this reason, participation while using crutches is not permitted.

Unfortunately, as the Faculty of Veterinary Science does not collaborate directly with veterinary clinics, we are unable to assist you in finding veterinary practices in your area where you can gain practical experience. We therefore recommend searching online for suitable opportunities near you.