Dog Trainer Certifications Explained: CPDT, KPA, IAABC, CAAB, DACVB

Dog trainer certifications range from a 200 question exam to years of veterinary residency. The CPDT-KA needs 300 hours of training experience and a written exam. The CPDT-KSA adds a hands on skills test. The KPA CTP comes from finishing a course designed to take about six months. IAABC's top level asks for case studies and references. A CAAB usually holds a doctorate in a biological or behavioral science, and a DACVB is a veterinarian who completed a behavior residency.

Why certifications matter when nobody needs a license

Dog trainers don't need a license. The American Kennel Club calls dog training "an unregulated industry," and VCA Animal Hospitals says "there are no licenses or certifications required." A credential is one of the few ways to see that someone passed an outside test of their knowledge.

Each credential tests something different, so the letters after a name only help if you know what they mean. Below, we explain what each one requires, using each organization's own pages. Requirements change, so check the issuing group's site before you rely on any detail.

CPDT-KA: Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed

The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) issues the CPDT-KA. According to CCPDT, you must be at least 18 and have a high school diploma or equivalent. You also need 300 hours of dog training experience logged within the last three years.

Applicants also need a signed attestation statement from a CCPDT certificant or a veterinarian. CCPDT accepts some other approved professionals too. Applicants must also agree to CCPDT's Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. The exam has 200 multiple choice questions, taken at a testing center or with remote proctoring.

CPDT-KA holders recertify every three years. CCPDT requires 36 continuing education units (CEUs) in that time, or the certificant can retake the exam.

CPDT-KSA: Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge and Skills Assessed

The CPDT-KSA is CCPDT's hands on credential. You must already hold a current CPDT-KA to apply. CCPDT says candidates record four training exercises on video. They do this during a three week testing period.

The CPDT-KSA also recertifies every three years with 36 CEUs. CCPDT requires at least 12 of those CEUs to be skills based.

CBCC-KA: Certified Behavior Consultant Canine, Knowledge Assessed

CCPDT also offers a behavior credential. The CBCC-KA requires at least 300 hours of canine behavior consulting in the last three years. CCPDT lists the kinds of cases those hours must cover, and fear and aggression are on that list.

The CBCC-KA exam has 200 multiple choice questions. Holders recertify every five years with 36 CEUs, according to CCPDT's recertification page.

KPA CTP: Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner

The KPA CTP works differently from the CCPDT credentials. Karen Pryor Academy says a CTP is "a graduate of our Dog Trainer Professional Program." So the credential comes from finishing a course and passing its assessments.

KPA describes the program as designed to take about six months. It includes 21 lessons and 40 hands on exercises. KPA says the course also has 250 instructional videos. Students attend in person or virtual workshops, depending on the format, and complete several assessments, including the ones for KPA certification. KPA says finishing the program doesn't guarantee certification.

Students need regular access to at least one dog and at least one animal that isn't a dog. KPA estimates 10 to 20 hours a week of training and coursework. Its listed tuition runs from $5,600 to $6,600 depending on format, and prices can vary by location.

CTPs take a pledge to train using force free methods. KPA's ongoing ACE program, which involves continuing education credits or client feedback, is optional. Trainers who stay ACE Active can appear on KPA's Find a Trainer map.

IAABC certifications

The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) offers credentials at several levels. Its top level is Certified, and for dogs that credential is the Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC). IAABC says Certified status shows "multiple years of experience and the ability to tackle challenging, complex cases."

IAABC's application handbook lists these suggested minimums for Certified credentials such as the CDBC:

• Four years and 500 hours of animal behavior consulting experience
• 400 hours of coursework, seminars and mentorships
• Three endorsements: one from a colleague, one from a veterinarian and one from a client

The application works like an exam with four sections. One section asks for three case studies from the applicant's own caseload, and another has four scenarios. Applicants must score 80% on each section and on the application overall. The application fee is $225.

IAABC's Accredited level includes the ADT, which is aimed at dog trainers. The suggested minimum for the ADT is two years of dog training and 100 hours of education, with no case studies. Every IAABC level requires 36 CEUs every three years.

CAAB: Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist

The Animal Behavior Society (ABS) certifies applied animal behaviorists. This is a graduate level credential. ABS lists two paths to the CAAB:

• A doctorate in a biological or behavioral science with an emphasis on animal behavior, plus five years of professional experience
• A veterinary degree, plus a two year university approved residency in animal behavior and three more years of applied experience

Applicants also need set coursework in behavioral science and animal behavior. They must present a talk or poster at an ABS annual meeting within the five years before they apply, and they need three letters of recommendation. ABS's pages don't mention a written exam.

There's also an Associate level, the ACAAB, which requires a master's degree and at least two years of professional experience. ABS's program requirements say certification is valid for five years but must be renewed each year. To recertify, ABS asks for evidence of staying current in the field, including at least one case study or research presentation at an ABS meeting during the five years.

ABS says it "does not offer behavior counseling or services" itself. It keeps a directory of CAABs instead. That page notes that some behaviorists offer phone consultations if none are near you.

DACVB: Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists

A DACVB is a veterinarian who is board certified in behavior by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB). ACVB lists these steps:

1. Graduate from an accredited veterinary school and get a veterinary license.
2. Complete the equivalent of a rotating internship.
3. Complete an approved behavior residency, or an individual program mentored and approved by ACVB.
4. Publish a scientific paper based on your own research in a peer reviewed journal.
5. Pass a comprehensive two day exam.

ACVB's residency policy says a residency lasts at least two years and follows at least one year of training in veterinary practice. ACVB's certification page says "close supervision is required for all 400 cases," and the first 25 cases are seen with the mentor present. ACVB requires maintenance of certification for diplomates certified in 2016 or later.

Because a DACVB is a licensed veterinarian, ACVB says they "are licensed to prescribe" psychotropic medications when needed. VCA notes that CAABs who aren't veterinarians "are not qualified to identify or treat physical problems." That difference matters if your dog may need medication.

Dog trainer certifications compared

| Credential | Issued by | Experience required | Testing | Renewal |
|:-|:-|:-|:-|:-|
| CPDT-KA | CCPDT | 300 hours of dog training in the last 3 years | 200 question multiple choice exam | Every 3 years, 36 CEUs or retake exam |
| CPDT-KSA | CCPDT | Must hold a current CPDT-KA | Four training exercises on video | Every 3 years, 36 CEUs (at least 12 skills) |
| CBCC-KA | CCPDT | 300 hours of behavior consulting in the last 3 years | 200 question multiple choice exam | Every 5 years, 36 CEUs |
| KPA CTP | Karen Pryor Academy | Course of about 6 months with workshops | Program assessments | Optional ACE program |
| CDBC | IAABC | Suggested 4 years and 500 hours consulting, 400 hours education | Four section application with 3 case studies, 80% to pass | 36 CEUs every 3 years |
| CAAB | Animal Behavior Society | Doctorate plus 5 years, or DVM plus residency plus 3 years | Application review; no exam listed | Renewed each year; recertify every 5 years |
| DACVB | American College of Veterinary Behaviorists | Veterinary degree, internship and behavior residency | Two day board exam | Maintenance of certification for 2016 and later |

Which credential fits your dog's problem

For puppy classes and basic manners, a certified trainer is a good fit. CCPDT tells owners who need a dog or puppy trainer to look for its CPDT-KA, CPDT-KSA or CBCC-KA letters. VCA says dogs needing basic training, such as house training or leash walking, should start with a trainer.

For fear or aggression, look for a behavior credential like the CBCC-KA or CDBC. A CAAB is another option. The AKC says these issues "often require specialized expertise." AVSAB's guide for pet owners says to contact a veterinary behaviorist or a credentialed behavior consultant in these cases.

If the behavior started suddenly, see your veterinarian first. AVSAB's position statement on humane dog training says dogs with serious behavior problems "should always be evaluated by a veterinarian" to rule out medical causes. A DACVB is the specialist to ask for when your dog may need medication or a medical workup.

Credentials don't tell you everything. AVSAB says credentials alone don't guarantee quality, and it recommends only reward based training methods. Ask every trainer how they teach, whatever letters they hold.

How to check a credential

Look the person up on the issuing organization's own directory. CCPDT runs a directory of certified trainers and behavior consultants, and IAABC has a consultant locator. ACVB has a Find a Diplomate search, and ABS keeps its CAAB directory. Our resources page links to each of these groups.

Find certified dog trainers in our directory

Our dog trainer listings pull from public professional directories, including the Pet Professional Guild directory and the ABS CAAB directory. Every listing shows where it came from. You can browse by state, for example dog trainers in California. Featured listings are always labeled as paid placement, and our page on how results are sorted explains the order.

If you hold one of these credentials and see your listing, you can claim your profile for free.