The following is an explanation of how professional membership criteria are evaluated and investigated and provides guidelines for candidates.
Letters of
Recommendation
Must include the full name, mailing address and email
address of the referrer as well as the full name of the candidate and the
specific professional membership category. The referrer is asked to attest to
their own first hand knowledge of the candidate’s skill in relation to the
particular professional membership category being applied for. They are asked
to identify whether they believe that the candidate is competent to provide
professional level services in the particular professional membership category
being applied for. Referrers should refer to the core areas of competence and
description of the category for indications of the competencies for that
category. The AABP membership committee may follow up with the referrer.
Experience Hours
Criteria
Experience refers to leading or directly assisting
in the performance of services in relation to the particular professional
membership category being applied for. It does not include education or seminar
hours. Half of the hours may come from
direct one-on-one mentoring or internship hours in which the candidate is
actively working with companion animals with their guardians or coaching the
client themselves on how to train their dog.
Supervision
The supervision must be hands on, in person, skills development with an approved professional. The supervision need only include basic training skills if PDT membership is sought. If the candidate is seeking a behavior technologist membership, the supervision must also include supervision in working through problem behavior cases common to the species in question. In the end, the supervisor must write a letter to the AABP including their full name and contact information and the details of the supervision as well as a statement that the candidate has undergone the necessary 30 hours of supervision and that they attest to the fact that the candidate is deemed, in their judgment, to be prepared and is competent to providing professional services in animal training and/or behavior consultation (as appropriate to the membership sought) at an entry.
Ethics
The candidate will be required to sign a declaration that they agree with and agree to abide by the AABP mission and professional practice guidelines as to any adjustments that may be made in the future as well as accepting responsibility to maintain familiarity with the published guidelines.
Insurance
The candidate must include a photo copy of their policy along with their application for professional membership.
Education
A copy of certificate, diploma or transcripts must be sent along with professional membership application. A letter from the educational institution may be used as well. In all cases, contact information must be provided for confirmation.
Certifications
The AABP will search the certifying body's membership directory on their web site. If the candidate is not listed The AABP will email the certifying body for confirmation of certification.
Exam (information in this section is tentative)
