About IACP Certification Programs

Certifications with the International Association of Canine Professionals

Founded in 1999, the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) established a high standard of canine professionals and still strives to maintain recognition of this high standard for its members and the general public.

The IACP’s Certification Committee oversees certifications issued by the organization by establlishing standard examinations for dog trainers and dog training instructors. 

A major component of maintaining high standards is the continued growth and collaboration amongst senior professional peers within our industry. Early in 2020, the IACP Certification Committee embarked on revising exam contents and formatting, following the national accreditation standards set forth by the Institute of Credentialing Excellence (ICE).

Due to this, some of the IACP certifications may be periodically placed on hold for revision while implementing this process.

Developing national standards has been complex due to the continued debates over "tools and methods”as opposed to the natural evolving nature of canine training.  The number of diverse training philosophies and the skill to effectively use them is a combination of art and science.

Using the same base standards as other government regulated or licensed professions certify upon our certification program takes this into account and places merit of certification to each dog trainer's Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA), via a comprehensive evaluation of written and video submission along with references and more. 

IACP's Certification program accurately and thoroughly assess skills by critiquing hands-on performance at progressive KSA levels beyond book learning based exams.  The IACP does not discriminate against training methods, tools or techniques in its certification exams but rather examines each dog trainer's abilities to incorporate them effectively and humanely into a sound and well rounded training program. 

Effective September 1, 2021, IACP certification exams are open to both IACP members and non-members who meet the required certification prerequisites.