Behavior Consultant Certification

Why become certified?

cbcc-ka

  • Personal satisfaction. With a CCPDT certification, you know you have tested yourself against and passed rigorous standards for knowledge and skills in science-based dog training.
  • Continuing education. Maintaining a CCPDT certification is motivation for lifelong learning and demonstrates that you keep current on the science and techniques of the profession.
  • Marketing edge. Independent certification makes a big difference to clients and prospects—if they are informed about it. For help educating your audience, see Marketing Your Certification.
  • Professionalize the field. Certification represents an individual step toward a future when only qualified professionals are allowed to call themselves dog trainers.

“I urge all of my students to become Certified by the CCPDT. It is the only professional certifying organization that requires all of its certified members to pass a knowledge assessment that is a validated instrument in addition to proving experience in the field as a trainer or behavior consultant. The CCPDT also requires its certified members to stay current in skills and information through their continuing education unit requirement. Certification by a reputable organization tells clients or employers that you have put in the time and effort to excel at your profession.”

– Cheryl Aguiar, PhD, owner and founder E-Training for Dogs

CBCC-KA

Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA®) is our advanced certification for dog trainers who offer canine behavior modification.

To be eligible for the examination, you have to fulfill a number of requirements. For example:

√ Be at least 18 years of age and have earned a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent

√ Log a minimum of 300 hours experience in canine behavior consulting (on fear, phobias, compulsive behaviors, anxiety, and aggression) within the previous 3 years

√ Provide a signed Attestation Statement from a CCPDT certificant, veterinarian, or other approved professional

√ Confirm compliance with our Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics

√ Confirm compliance with our Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) Effective Behavior Intervention policy

The CBCC-KA exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions. The exam is given at computer-based testing facilities throughout the U.S. and Canada. Learn more about the examination.

Want to learn more?

Practice test

Are you out of practice on taking multiple-choice exams? Then we have a solution for you! We offer an online practice test for anyone considering sitting for the CBCC-KA certification exam.

The 50-question practice test will give you a taste of the CBCC-KA exam. It’s a chance to take a computerized exam; experience the content; and learn more about the exam question format, and style. You have 2 hours to complete the 50 questions and will be scored by testing area.

The instant score report after practice test submission shows test performance in each of the content areas. The score report does not provide correct answers or indicate which questions were answered correctly and incorrectly. Once the practice test is scored, you cannot return to the test to review the questions.

NOTE: The successful completion of a practice test is not required to sit for the certification exam, nor does it guarantee a passing score on the exam. The practice test has been developed by subject matter experts in the profession and is provided for review purposes only. Completion of the practice test does not substantiate a candidate’s readiness to sit for or successfully pass the exam.

The fee to take the practice exam is $99.

To register and take the exam, visit the Professional Testing Corporation.

Trainer spotlight

What are other dog training professionals saying about the certification and what it means to them? Check out our Trainer Spotlight.

Dog training FAQ

For answers to some of the questions we are asked most often, check out our Dog Trainer FAQ.

Time to recertify?

CPDT-KA and CPDT-KSA certificants must recertify every 3 years, either by accumulating the needed CEUs or by retaking the certification exam. Learn more.