Animal Training Credentials and Associations

Updated October 29, 2026

Many trainer listings on AnimalTrainerPro show a credential or a membership next to the trainer's name. This page explains what each one means in plain words. For every group below, we cover who they are and what a person had to do to earn the title. We also show you how to check it yourself. Some titles require years of experience and a passing exam score. Others mean the person joined a group and agreed to follow its rules.

Dog training credentials

Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)

The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) is an independent certifying body, set up in 2001, that tests dog trainers on humane training methods backed by science. CPDT-KA means a trainer passed its knowledge exam, and CPDT-KSA means they also passed a skills test. CBCC-KA is the CCPDT credential for people who consult on dog behavior problems such as fear and aggression.

What it takes

The CPDT-KA and CBCC-KA each require at least 300 hours of experience in the last 3 years and a passing score on an exam of 200 multiple choice questions. The CPDT-KSA requires a current CPDT-KA plus four training exercises recorded on video. Trainers renew the CPDT credentials every 3 years and the CBCC-KA every 5 years, with 36 continuing education units each cycle.

How to check

Search the CCPDT Find A Dog Pro directory by name or postal code.

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Karen Pryor Academy (KPA CTP)

Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) is an online dog training school. A trainer with the KPA CTP title, short for Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, finished the academy's Dog Trainer Professional program and met its graduation standards. Finishing the course does not guarantee the title, because students must pass KPA's assessments.

What it takes

The Dog Trainer Professional program is designed to take about 6 months and includes workshops held in person or online. Students pass several assessments and must also train at least one species other than a dog.

How to check

Search the KPA Find a Trainer directory by location or trainer name.

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Pet Professional Guild (PPG)

The Pet Professional Guild (PPG) is a membership group for trainers and other pet professionals. PPG says its goal is a coalition of competent and ethical pet service professionals, and it says members actively discourage training tools that use force or cause pain. Member listings cover several species, including horses and birds.

What it takes

The PPG professional membership page lists no exam to join. Testing happens through the separate Pet Professional Accreditation Board, which uses an online proctored exam and video of the person's training skills.

How to check

Search the PPG member directory by name or location.

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Association for Professional Dog Training International (APDT)

APDT International is a professional group for dog trainers that Dr. Ian Dunbar founded in 1993 as the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. The group took the APDT International name in September 2024 and reports more than 3,700 members and partners in almost 40 countries. Members agree to follow its Code of Professional Ethics, and breaking the code can end a membership.

What it takes

The APDT pages we checked list no exam for membership. The APDT ethics code treats certification as separate from membership, so ask a trainer which certification they hold, if any.

How to check

Use the Locate a Trainer search linked from the APDT home page to find member trainers.

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National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI)

The National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI) has served dog trainers and owners since 1965 and calls itself the world's oldest group focused on dog training and instruction. NADOI has two main member types. Certified Members passed its exam, while Associate Members only need an interest in dog training.

What it takes

A Certified Member needs at least 5 years of experience training dogs and 5 years as the instructor in charge of a class, and must have worked with at least 100 dog and handler teams. They must also pass the NADOI certification exam and agree to its Code of Ethics.

How to check

Use the NADOI Find an Instructor page to search by state or postal code.

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Animal behavior

International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)

The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), founded in 2004, supports behavior consultants and trainers who work with dogs, cats and many other animals. IAABC certifications, such as the CDBC (Certified Dog Behavior Consultant) and the CPBC (Certified Parrot Behavior Consultant), are for consultants who take on complex behavior cases. IAABC accreditations, such as the ADT (Accredited Dog Trainer), are for trainers who teach manners and help prevent problems.

What it takes

Every IAABC credential is earned by passing an exam, and applicants must be IAABC Supporting Members. IAABC recommends at least 3 years of experience and 400 hours of education before applying for a certification, and at least 2 years and 100 hours for an accreditation.

How to check

Use the IAABC Consultant Locator to search by species and country.

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American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB)

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) is a membership group for veterinarians and other professionals who focus on animal behavior, including veterinary technicians and behaviorists with graduate degrees. AVSAB publishes position statements on behavior topics and runs a directory of members who take behavior cases.

What it takes

The AVSAB pages we checked present membership as access to a community and resources. AVSAB says its directory does not give its members any qualifications or assume a level of expertise. Look for a separate credential next to the person's name, such as a veterinary license or DACVB.

How to check

Search the AVSAB Behavior Consultant Directory by city or zip code, and use its filter to show only ACVB Diplomates.

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American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (DACVB)

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) is the certifying board for veterinarians who finished specialty training in animal behavior, and the American Veterinary Medical Association recognizes it as a veterinary specialty organization. A vet who earns board certification becomes a Diplomate, shown as DACVB after their name. Veterinary behaviorists are licensed to prescribe behavior medications when needed.

What it takes

A candidate must be a licensed veterinarian and complete an ACVB approved behavior residency, with close supervision on all 400 required cases. They must also publish a research paper in a peer reviewed journal and pass an exam that lasts two days. Diplomates certified in 2016 or later must maintain their certification.

How to check

Use the Find a DACVB search, or filter the AVSAB directory to show only ACVB Diplomates.

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Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB)

The Animal Behavior Society (ABS) is a society for people interested in the study of animal behavior, with members in more than 64 countries. Its Board of Professional Certification grants the Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) credential and the Associate CAAB (ACAAB). The society does not offer behavior help itself and points pet owners to CAABs.

What it takes

A CAAB needs a doctorate in a biological or behavioral science plus five years of professional experience, or a veterinary degree with a behavior residency of two years and three more years of experience. An ACAAB needs a master's degree and at least two years of experience. Certification lasts five years, and holders must show liability insurance and good standing with ABS every year.

How to check

Check the CAAB Directory, which lists each person's location and the year they were board certified.

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Fear Free

Fear Free is an education and certification program, founded by Dr. Marty Becker, that aims to prevent and ease fear and stress in pets. Fear Free offers courses to veterinary professionals and to other pet professionals, including trainers. More than 25,000 veterinary and pet professionals have committed to becoming certified, according to Fear Free.

What it takes

The Fear Free veterinary certification course has eight modules taken in order, and each module ends with a quiz of 20 questions that needs a score of 80% or better. Certification comes with an annual membership, and keeping it requires a renewal fee and more continuing education each year.

How to check

Search the Find a Fear Free Certified Professional directory.

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Service and assistance dogs

Assistance Dogs International (ADI)

Assistance Dogs International (ADI) is a worldwide coalition of nonprofit programs that train and place assistance dogs. ADI accreditation applies to the whole program that trains the dogs, and accredited programs may say they meet ADI Standards. ADI notes that its accredited members do not offer board and train services for dogs people already own.

What it takes

A program passes a peer review that includes a visit of several days to the program's site, where an assessor interviews staff and clients and watches dogs being trained. Programs must pass accreditation again every five years.

How to check

Use the ADI Member Search to look up accredited programs by country or by name.

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Horses and riding

Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA)

The Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA), based in Lexington, Kentucky, certifies riding instructors and other equine professionals. CHA states its mission as changing lives through safe experiences with horses. Its certifications cover English and Western riding instructors as well as trail guides, and instructor levels run from Assistant Instructor up to Master Instructor.

What it takes

The English and Western instructor certification is a clinic that lasts five days. Two CHA Certifiers watch each candidate teach practice lessons and ride, and candidates also take a written test. Certification lasts three years with annual CHA membership, and renewing it takes 25 hours of continuing education and work in the horse industry.

How to check

Search the CHA list of certified equine professionals, or call CHA at 859-259-3399.

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American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA)

The American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA) is a national association for horseback riding instructors. Through its American Riding Instructor Certification Program, ARIA has certified instructors since 1984 at Level I, II or III in up to 16 teaching specialties, such as dressage. Higher levels cover more advanced material.

What it takes

Candidates can test online or at one of a few test centers. An ARIA Evaluation Board reviews their knowledge of the discipline and their safety practices, and some specialties also need a video.

How to check

Open the ARIA Find an Instructor page and choose your state to see a PDF list of certified instructors.

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United States Dressage Federation (USDF)

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) promotes a high standard of dressage in the United States, mainly through education. A USDF certified instructor passed USDF testing for a set range of levels, such as Training through First Level. USDF notes that Associate Instructors finished its workshop series but are not certified and may not advertise themselves as certified.

What it takes

Candidates must be USDF members who have completed SafeSport training. They pass online modules and an assessment of their riding and teaching that lasts two or three days, with a score of 70% or higher, and the first certificate also needs three years of teaching experience. Certified instructors complete 16 hours of continuing education every year.

How to check

Search the USDF instructor list, which shows current USDF members who meet the yearly education rule.

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Wildlife rehabilitation

National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA)

The National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) is dedicated to improving and promoting the profession of wildlife rehabilitation. NWRA publishes the Minimum Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation and the peer reviewed journal Wildlife Rehabilitation Bulletin. NWRA also says rehabilitators need a license, and the rules depend on where the work is done.

What it takes

NWRA membership gives rehabilitators access to professional development and a network of other rehabilitators. The NWRA pages we checked list no certification exam.

How to check

Ask the rehabilitator for their state or provincial wildlife rehabilitation permit and confirm it with the agency that issued it.

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International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC)

The International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) is a community of wildlife rehabilitators and researchers that works for the welfare of wild animals and offers training courses. IWRC runs the Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator (CWR) program, which recognizes working rehabilitators who reach a higher standard through study. IWRC says the CWR does not make someone a licensed rehabilitator, since licensing rules vary by region.

What it takes

A CWR needs 5,000 documented hours of wildlife rehabilitation experience and a score of 80% or higher on the CWR exam. The certification must be renewed every two years with 16 hours of continuing education.

How to check

Check the CWR Registry, which lists certified rehabilitators by country and state.

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Regulators and licensing

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Animal Welfare Act licensing (USDA APHIS)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) enforces the Animal Welfare Act, which sets standards for the humane care of certain animals, including animals shown to the public and animals sold as pets. If you own or run a business regulated by the Act, you must be licensed or registered with APHIS. A Class C license is for exhibitors, and Class A and Class B licenses are for dealers.

What it takes

Licensees must pass an announced inspection that shows they comply with the Act before they receive a new license, and licenses now run for three years. New applicants get up to three tries to pass the inspection.

How to check

Search the APHIS Public Search Tool, which lists people licensed or registered under the Act along with inspection reports.

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How we use these on listings

When a listing shows a credential, it also names the directory or record it came from. We show what that source reported when we collected it. Credentials can lapse, and people can leave a group, so a listing may not match someone's current status. Before you hire anyone, confirm the credential with the group that issued it. Most entries above link to a lookup page where you can do that.