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Join the IAABC

Welcome New Members!

We welcome all professionals, those new to the field and those with extensive experience. You do not need to be certified to join.

  • Everyone begins by joining for $85, which covers the application fee and the first year’s dues.
  • If you’d like to apply for another level, you’re welcome to do so at any time from within your user account.
  • Once accepted to another level, your dues and recertification dates will be moved to your application acceptance date, starting one year from acceptance.
  • Your initial fee of $85 is good for your first year, regardless of status.
  • Additional levels include Certified, Associate Certified, Affiliate and Accredited status in:
    • Dog
    • Cat
    • Horse
    • Parrot
    • Shelter Dog
    • Shelter Cat
    • Shelter Behavior Affiliate
    • Accredited Dog Trainer
    • Entrenador Canino Acreditado
  • Regardless of your species of specialty, you are welcome to participate in any and all divisions: Dog, Cat, Parrot, Horse, Working Animal and Shelter. About our divisions.
  • For additional information, see our FAQs.
  • Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorists (US DACVB) who are currently practicing in animal behavior consulting with clients will be granted full Certified status in their species of specialty with submission of membership dues and application fee.
  • Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourists (UK CCABs) accredited by the ASAB who are currently practicing in animal behavior consulting with clients will be granted full Certified status with submission of membership dues and application fee.
  • DACVBs and CCABs requesting Certified Animal Behavior Consultant (CABC) status must submit an attestation to info@iaabc.org from a fellow DACVB or CCAB confirming their work with three or more species. CABC status can only be granted upon receipt of this letter of confirmation.
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IAABC Membership Levels

  • Supporting $85 FIRST YEAR'S DUES REQUIRED FOR FURTHER CERTIFICATIONS AND ACCREDITATIONS -
    • Free online video education for CEUs
    • Discounts on all online courses
    • Discount on annual conference
    • Membership in email and Facebook discussion groups
    • Vote on IAABC issues
    • Use of IAABC Membership Logo (branded with your specific membership type)
    • Discounts on select Karen Pryor Academy courses
    • Collaboration with research projects
    • Many vendor discounts including Dogwise Publishing
    • Access to conference recordings and webinars for CEUs
    • Opportunities to participate in working groups
    • Access to IAABC handout library
    • Title Designation (see membership options below)
    • Listing in our Consultant Locator (see membership options below)
    • Priority Listing in our Consultant Locator (see membership options below)
    Sign up
  • Associate Certified $95 PER YEAR $115 APPLICATION FEE -
    Pending
  • Certified Species & Shelter $120 PER YEAR $125 APPLICATION FEE -
    Sign up
  • Accredited Dog Trainer $95 PER YEAR $125 APPLICATION FEE -
    Sign up
  • Entrenador Canino Acreditado $85 USD ANUALES $65 USD TARIFA DE POSTULATION -
    Inscríbete
  • Shelter Affiliate $85 PER YEAR $65 APPLICATION FEE -
    Pending

    • Frequently Asked Questions

    We define animal behavior consulting as:

    Working to effect positive behavior change in companion animals displaying dysfunctional, harmful, aggressive, destructive, or undesirable behaviors that cause harm or distress to themselves, other animals, or to their caregivers or the public.

    Behavior consulting includes working with people as well as pets. Work with owners, new adopters, shelter staff and board and train cases must include more than two visits with the caregivers to demonstrate your ability to work with human clients as well as companion animals.

    For the Cat, Horse and Parrot divisions (non-shelter), the following activities may be considered animal behavior consulting as part of the recommended hours:

    • Behavior consultation via phone or video chat service, that does not necessarily include meeting in-person with animal and client, but covers a large volume and variety of cases.

    The application questions are in short-answer and essay format. The application is entirely web-based and you complete it online. Save your work in the application often to ensure you don't lose your completed work in the event of computer or electricity problems.

    Questions on the application relate to the Core Areas of Competency, experience, and references you have used to build knowledge and skills. The application requires case studies, which you may find easier to work on in a separate document saved to your computer. You can then paste your case studies into the application after performing a spell-check.

    You may use the sample case study format as a template for your own. Our 60 day time period should allow you to work on your application and case studies at a comfortable pace. Once your application is submitted, our volunteer Application Review Committee typically notifies applicants of their certification status within three weeks.

    Application "Scenarios" are theoretical cases where applicants are assessed on their animal behavior consulting skills. Included as part of the components of a Scenario may be history taking and assessment, as well as recommendations on safety/management, behavior modification strategies, and problem solving.

    For example, a basic Scenario for a car mechanic's application might be:

    Q: John complains his car won't start. Explain how you would fix this issue.

    Applicant A answers: I would check the alternator and battery.

    Applicant B answers: I would ask John if he had his keys and if they turned properly in the ignition, or determine if the battery in the key is operational for chip start engines.
    I would then determine if there is gas in the vehicle, if the battery is functional, if the alternator is functional, and if the starter is functional. Next, I would check the cables running between each component.

    Application Review Committee's rubric for assessing applicant:
    Did the applicant check if gas was in the car: 0-3 points
    Did the applicant check the key functionality: 0-3 points
    Did the applicant check the battery: 0-3 points
    Did the applicant check all cables between relevant components: 0-3 points

    As you can see, Applicant A would lose points as they did not touch upon certain elements in the rubric that would be required for a mechanic at that level. 
    Applicant B however would score well as they discussed all of the components contained in the scoring rubric.

    Application Handbook

    If you have any further questions, please contact us.