Animal Behaviorists

Certification or Licensing

Various voluntary certifications are available for animal behaviorists depending on the area of the industry in which they wish to be involved. One of the most recognized certifications, comes from the Animal Behavior Society (ABS), one of the leading professional organizations in North America for the study of animal behavior. This organization provides two levels of voluntary certification. One is the Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and the other is the Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist. The difference between the two is that in order to achieve the Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist certification, individuals require more education and experience.

In order to become an Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (ACAAB) individuals must hold a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in biological or behavior sciences with an emphasis in animal behavior. They must have completed a research-based thesis and have had graduate course work in behavioral science courses, ethology, animal behavior, comparative psychology, animal learning, conditioning and/or animal psychology. They additionally are required to have at least two years of professional experience in applied animal behavior, have presented a talk at an ABS meeting, and have professional endorsement letters from people in the industry.

The Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) certification has much of the same requirements, but also needs individuals to hold a doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in a biological or behavioral science with an emphasis on animal behavior, including five years of professional experience, or a doctorate from an accredited college or university in veterinary medicine plus two years in a university-approved residency in animal behavior and three additional years of professional experience in applied animal behavior and five years of professional experience in the field.

Learn more about these certifications at their Web site: https://www.animalbehaviorsociety.org/web/committees-applied-behavior-caab.php.

Other voluntary certifications are offered by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.