Benefits of Membership
- Access to a member's forum for networking and discussion of all matters companion animal behavior.
- Listing on the web site directory.
- Opportunity to apply for AABP Professional Membership with its associated benefits.
- Use of "AABP Member" logo
- Free official AABP peer-review journal (Most recent version when joining and then each issue while an active member; when and if available), the Journal of Applied Companion Animal Behavior
- Listing of your books or DVDs on the web site: AABP Members' Books
- Discount on AABP symposiums and conferences when and if available
- Professional Membership: Emphasized listing on the web site
- Professional Membership: Official "AABP Professional Membership," which may be used for marketing purposes
- Professional Membership: Use of the AABP Professional Member logo
Membership Categories
General Membership
General membership is our primary membership category and although it is used as a stepping stone to Professional Membership, it is not necessarily the goal of all General Members to seek Professional Membership. General membership would be ideal for students who are working toward Professional Membership status (but is also appropriate for those seeking merely to support the mission and access the member benefits). The journal and the email discussion list would be particularly useful for students.
Scroll down past Professional membership information for information on how to become a General member.
Professional
Membership
Professional Members are competent behavioral technologists (application of scientific knowledge to solve practical problems) and strongly dedicated to professionalism and nonaversive methods. Click here for an elaboration of these terms. The Professional Membership categories and AABP awarded designations awarded are:
- Professional Dog Trainer (PDT)
- Professional Dog Behavior Consultant (PDBC)
- Professional Parrot Behavior Consultant (PPBC)
- Professional Cat Behavior Consultant (PCBC)
- Professional Animal Behavior Consultant (PABC)
The criteria for Professional Membership is posted below. There are generally two ways to demonstrate competence in each Professional Membership category's core areas of competence: Primary Certification, and Formal Education. In this manner, the candidate may demonstrate their competence in either manner. Click here to see criteria for Certifying Body Approval and click here to see criteria for Educational Institution Approval criteria.
Note that over time, we will be phasing in and implementing an exam requirement for all professional memberships, and after that, a mechanical skills demonstration requirement in our efforts to move toward high standards in excellence.
Professional Dog
Trainer (PDT) Membership Criteria
Professional Dog Trainers may train dogs directly or coach
clients on how to train their dogs, usually in a proactive manner to achieve
specific behavior goals. Professional Dog
Training is distinguished from the
other two Professional Membership categories in that Trainers are more focused
on preventing problem behavior situations proactively by working with clients
and their dogs to develop appropriate behavior patterns. They also educate the public and colleagues on animal
behavior. Click here for a more in-depth description of professional membership category definitions.
Candidates may take the previous ‘primary certification
route’ or the ‘formal education route’ to demonstrating competence. Approved
Certifying bodies and Approved Educational Institutions have been scrutinized
and determined by the AABP to be credible measures of competence is specific
Professional Membership categories and specific Core Areas of Competence. Note that these certifying bodies and educational institutions are not necessarily behavior analytic in orientation, but by joining, the member expresses a commitment to a behavioral approach. Each
route lists options and both routes then require demonstration of hands-on
experience, commitment to ethical standards and possession of liability
insurance to protect the professional and the public. Take care to note the
“and’s” and “or’s.”
| Primary Certification Route |
Formal Education Route |
One
of the following Certifications
- IAABC Certification,
- Delta Accredited Dog Trainers Group Accreditation,
- CCPDT CPDT certification,
Experience
- 300 hours professional training experience within the last
5 years.
Ethics Commitment
- Declared commitment to work in accordance with, and be
bound by, the AABP Professional Practice Guidelines.
Competency Exam
- Successfully complete an invigilated exam covering the core
areas of competence. NOT YET REQUIRED. TO BE PHASED IN.
Mechanical Skills Competency
- Demonstration and, successfully demonstrate hands on
mechanical skills. NOT YET REQUIRED. TO BE PHASED IN. WE MAY REQUIRE THIS ONLY FOR A 2ND LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP RATHER THAN AS PART OF THIS BASIC LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP.
Insurance
- Provide professional training, coaching or consultation
services
only under protection from professional liability insurance, where
applicable, be it under your own name, your business name or the
business name of an employer you work for, and not participate in
professional activities not covered by appropriate professional
liability insurance.
|
Formal
Education To Cover Each Core Area of Competence
- Graduate of a Companion Animal Sciences Institute program that covers each core area of competence.
- Graduates from SF-SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers'
Certificate in Training and Counseling program.
- Graduates of Pat Miller's Peaceable Paws program.
- CAP 3 certification through (Kay Laurence) (Counts toward “Training Technology” core area of competence)
- or, any combination of courses or programs of study from Approved Educational Institutions in the Professional Dog Trainer category that
cover all core areas of competence in the Professional Dog Trainer
category.
References
- 2 letters of recommendation from among current AABP
Professional Members or from veterinary behaviorists, certified applied
animal behaviorists, certified dog behavior consultants or a sitting
board member or director/executive from BACB, CCPDT, IAABC, ABS or
faculty or board members of approved educational institutions attesting to your professional competence.
Experience
- 300 hours professional training experience within the last
5 years.
Ethics Commitment
- Declared commitment to work in accordance with, and be
bound by, the AABP Professional Practice Guidelines.
Competency Exam
- Successfully complete an invigilated exam covering the core
areas of competence. NOT YET REQUIRED. TO BE PHASED IN.
Mechanical Skills Competency
- Demonstration and, successfully demonstrate hands on
mechanical skills. NOT YET REQUIRED. TO BE PHASED IN. WE MAY REQUIRE THIS ONLY FOR A 2ND LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP RATHER THAN AS PART OF THIS BASIC LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP.
Insurance
- Provide professional training, coaching or consultation
services
only under protection from professional liability insurance, where
applicable, be it under your own name, your business name or the
business name of an employer you work for, and not participate in
professional activities not covered by appropriate professional
liability insurance.
|
Professional Dog, Cat
or Parrot Behavior Consultant (PDBC; PCBC; PPBC) Membership Criteria
Professional dog, cat or parrot behavior
consultants are species specialized behavior technologists who consult with clients, and in some cases, work directly with a
client’s companion animal toward meeting specific behavioral objectives,
preventing and/or resolving problem animal behavior, and ultimately
strengthening the human-nonhuman animal relationship. They also educate the
public and colleagues on animal behavior. The focus on resolving problem
behaviors distinguishes the consultant from the trainer category. Click here for a more in-depth description of professional membership category definitions.
Candidates may take the previous ‘primary certification
route’ or the ‘formal education route’ to demonstrating competence. Approved
Certifying bodies and Approved Educational Institutions have been scrutinized
and determined by the AABP to be credible measures of competence is specific
Professional Membership categories and specific Core Areas of Competence. Note that these certifying bodies and educational institutions are not necessarily behavior analytic in orientation, but by joining, the member expresses a commitment to a behavioral approach. Each
route lists options and both routes then require demonstration of hands-on
experience, commitment to ethical standards and possession of liability
insurance to protect the professional and the public. Take care to note the
“and’s” and “or’s.”
| Primary Certification Route |
Formal Education Route |
One
of the following Certifications
- IAABC Certified Members (species specific certification),
- ABS Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (species
specific education/internship),
- Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorists (species
specific education/internship),
Experience
- 400 hours professional behavior change programming
experience within the last 5 years.
Ethics Commitment
- Declared commitment to work in accordance with, and be
bound by, the AABP Professional Practice Guidelines.
Competency Exam
- Successfully complete an invigilated exam covering the core
areas of competence. NOT YET REQUIRED. TO BE PHASED IN.
Mechanical Skills Competency
- Demonstration and, successfully demonstrate hands on
mechanical skills. NOT YET REQUIRED. TO BE PHASED IN. WE MAY REQUIRE THIS ONLY FOR A 2ND LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP RATHER THAN AS PART OF THIS BASIC LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP.
Insurance
- Provide professional training, coaching or consultation
services
only under protection from professional liability insurance, where
applicable, be it under your own name, your business name or the
business name of an employer you work for, and not participate in
professional activities not covered by appropriate professional
liability insurance.
|
Formal
Education To Cover Each Core Area of Competence
- Graduate of a Companion Animal Sciences Institute program that covers each core area of competence.
- CAP 3 certification through (Kay Laurence) (Counts toward “Training Technology” core area of competence)
- Undergraduate university degree with courses in each
core area of competence.
- or, any combination of courses or programs of study from Approved Educational Institutions in the Professional Behavior
Consultant category that cover all core areas of competence in the
Professional Behavior Consultant category.
References
- 2 letters of recommendation from among current AABP Professional Members or from veterinary behaviorists, certified applied animal behaviorists, certified dog behavior consultants or a sitting board member or director/executive from BACB, CCPDT, IAABC, ABS or faculty or board members of approved educational institutions attesting to your professional competence.
- 400 hours professional behavior change programming
experience within the last 5 years.
Ethics Commitment
- Declared commitment to work in accordance with, and be
bound by, the AABP Professional Practice Guidelines.
Competency Exam
- Successfully complete an invigilated exam covering the core
areas of competence. NOT YET REQUIRED. TO BE PHASED IN.
Mechanical Skills Competency
- Demonstration and, successfully demonstrate hands on
mechanical skills. NOT YET REQUIRED. TO BE PHASED IN. WE MAY REQUIRE THIS ONLY FOR A 2ND LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP RATHER THAN AS PART OF THIS BASIC LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP.
Insurance
- Provide professional training, coaching or consultation
services
only under protection from professional liability insurance, where
applicable, be it under your own name, your business name or the
business name of an employer you work for, and not participate in
professional activities not covered by appropriate professional
liability insurance.
|
Professional Animal
Behavior Consultants (PABC) Membership Criteria
Professional Animal Behavior Consultants are generalist or species-independent technologists of behavior who consult with clients, and in some cases, work directly with a
client’s companion animal toward meeting specific behavioral objectives,
preventing and/or resolving problem animal behavior, and ultimately
strengthening the human-nonhuman animal relationship. They also educate the
public on animal behavior. The focus on resolving problem behaviors
distinguishes the consultant from the trainer category. The AABP Professional Animal
Behavior Consultant designation is general and broad rather than specific to
a particular species. Click here for a more in-depth description of professional membership category definitions.
Candidates may take the previous ‘primary certification
route’ or the ‘formal education route’ to demonstrating competence. Approved
Certifying bodies and Approved Educational Institutions have been scrutinized
and determined by the AABP to be credible measures of competence is specific
Professional Membership categories and specific Core Areas of Competence. Note that these certifying bodies and educational institutions are not necessarily behavior analytic in orientation, but by joining, the member expresses a commitment to a behavioral approach. Each
route lists options and both routes then require demonstration of hands-on
experience, commitment to ethical standards and possession of liability
insurance to protect the professional and the public. Take care to note the
“and’s” and “or’s.”
| Primary Certification Route |
Formal Education Route |
One
of the following Certifications
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst
- Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst
- IAABC Certified Animal Behavior Consultant, or
Certified in two or more species
Experience
- 400 hours professional behavior change programming
experience within the last 5 years.
Ethics Commitment
- Declared commitment to work in accordance with, and be
bound by, the AABP Professional Practice Guidelines.
Competency Exam
- Successfully complete an invigilated exam covering the core
areas of competence. NOT YET REQUIRED. TO BE PHASED IN.
Mechanical Skills Competency
- Demonstration and, successfully demonstrate hands on
mechanical skills. NOT YET REQUIRED. TO BE PHASED IN. WE MAY REQUIRE THIS ONLY FOR A 2ND LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP RATHER THAN AS PART OF THIS BASIC LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP.
Insurance
- Provide professional training, coaching or consultation
services
only under protection from professional liability insurance, where
applicable, be it under your own name, your business name or the
business name of an employer you work for, and not participate in
professional activities not covered by appropriate professional
liability insurance.
|
Formal
Education To Cover Each Core Area of Competence
- Graduate of a Companion Animal Sciences Institute program that covers each core area of competence.
- CAP 3 certification through (Kay Laurence) (Counts toward “Training Technology” core area of competence)
- or, Undergraduate university degree with courses in each
core area of competence.
- or, any combination of courses or programs of study from Approved Educational Institutions in the Professional Animal Behavior
Technology category that cover all core areas of competence in the
Professional Animal Behavior Technology category.
References
- 2 letters of recommendation from among current AABP Professional Members or from veterinary behaviorists, certified applied animal behaviorists, certified dog behavior consultants or a sitting board member or director/executive from BACB, CCPDT, IAABC, ABS or faculty or board members of approved educational institutions attesting to your professional competence.
- 400 hours professional behavior change programming
experience within the last 5 years.
Ethics Commitment
- Declared commitment to work in accordance with, and be
bound by, the AABP Professional Practice Guidelines.
Competency Exam
- Successfully complete an invigilated exam covering the core
areas of competence.NOT YET REQUIRED. TO BE PHASED IN.
Mechanical Skills Competency
- Demonstration and, successfully demonstrate hands on
mechanical skills. NOT YET REQUIRED. TO BE PHASED IN. WE MAY REQUIRE THIS ONLY FOR A 2ND LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP RATHER THAN AS PART OF THIS BASIC LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP.
Insurance
- Provide professional training, coaching or consultation
services
only under protection from professional liability insurance, where
applicable, be it under your own name, your business name or the
business name of an employer you work for, and not participate in
professional activities not covered by appropriate professional
liability insurance.
|
How to Join
- Agree to the terms below and pay the membership fee (below) which is $60 / year in Canadian funds (plus GST for Canadian residents)
- We will then list you in the directory with "Pending" and send an invite for the member's forum and send you a declaration regarding the terms to sign and send in (Membership is not established until the declaration is received and membership is no longer "Pending")
- When we receive the signed declaration, we will replace the "Pending" membership with your General Membership
- Then, you may then seek AABP Professional Membership if you wish and take advantage of other member benefits
Terms of Membership
By joining the AABP, you acknowledge that you will conduct yourself in accordance with the AABP Professional Practice Guidelines (including the mission and methodological stance), that the content of this web site and any and all policies, procedures, member's benefits or requirements for continued membership may change without notice and that members are to maintain current familiarity with them. Any membership may be declined or revoked by the AABP at its sole discretion. Notwithstanding, the AABP may decline a membership request if we have some specific demonstrable reason to believe that the candidate currently does conduct themselves in contravention of the AABP Professional Practice Guidelines and we have no reason to believe they are about to discontinue the practice. Furthermore, the email list, just like membership, is a privilege and any member who breeches the "rules," including to be kind and professional to others on the list, may be moderated or removed from the list or have their membership revoked without refund at the sole discretion of the moderator (appeal to the Advisory Board available).
Click the button below to join as an Associate Member.
How to Apply for AABP Professional Membership
To Apply for AABP Professional Membership, first make sure you are a General Member, and then email us through the 'contact us' page for an application form. For candidates taking the exam, there will be a one-time $60 examination evaluation fee.
Notice:
The AABP provides professional membership and only asserts that the trainer or consultant has demonstrated that they meet the criteria stated here or what was stated when the member applied. We cannot guarantee anything beyond this and we assume no liability or responsibility for the actions or inactions of any 'approved" organization or member.
