Being a pet care professional is more than just taking care of pets. You need to know about pet allergies, eating and dieting habits, Pet First Aid, and more. To help you learn these things, you need to take courses and become a certified pet professional. There are several courses available you can take so you can become a certified professional and continue your education.
Today we’ll share with you a list of pet care certifications so you can select one or a few that you’d like to take a course for and receive a certification.
CPS-DW Course
The CPS-DW (Certified Pet Sitter – Dog Walker) course is offered online through Certified Pet Expert. This certification includes 49 video, audio, and text lessons that teach all of the fundamentals professional pet sitters and dog walkers need to know to safely and effectively care for pets in the client’s home.
This lifetime certification costs $65 and takes 4-5 hours to complete. To earn this certificate you will need to pass four quizzes with a score of 80% or higher. The certification course also includes a client onboarding course, example document pack, emergency procedures, and a visit checklist. Also, as your company grows you can use their Team Training subscription to certify your entire staff for one low price.
Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers
The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) offers two certifications for dog trainers. They offer both the CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed) and the CPDT-KSA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge and Skills Assessed). These exams cost $400 each with a $100 late application fee. The CPDT-KSA is available after you have taken the CPDT-KA exam.
These certifications are active for three years and after the allotted time, re-certification is required. The re-certification exams cost $205 each. See the full exam schedule at CCPDT.
International Boarding and Pet Services Association
The International Boarding and Pet Services Association (IBPSA) offers several courses to its members for species-specific certifications, like canine, feline, and small mammal and exotic. Each certification costs $99, plus a $50 exam fee. Retesting is required every three years.
They also offer two other certifications—Risk Management & Safety Facility Certification and Infectious Disease Management Certification. These courses are designed for pet professionals to learn best practices for risk management and safety in order to provide a safe environment for staff and pets.
National Dog Groomers Association of America
The National Dog Groomers Association of America (NGDAA) is unique because they offer in-person workshops that have been developed to offer groomers the opportunity to improve their skills and stay current with industry trends. The Non-Sporting, Sporting, and Terrier breed exams are currently recognized by the American Kennel Club. A written exam is required for each breed group to be awarded the certification.
In order to become a National Certified Master Groomer, you need to pass the NGDAA’s written and practical skills testing procedure. Each exam costs approximately $125, with lower costs available for members.
National Association of Professional Pet Sitters
The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) provides an at-home course you can do at your own pace. You’ll learn about pet care, health and nutrition for pets, animal behavior, first aid skills, and business tips. The cost for this course is $245 for NAPPS members and $395 for non-members. You must receive a score of at least 75% in order to pass the exam and if you do not pass, you are able to take it one more time free of charge.
This course is ideal if you are looking to become a professional pet sitter and need to learn Pet First Aid.
Pet Sitters International
Pet Sitters International (PSI) offers a CPPS-Certified Professional pet Sitter exam that teaches you general pet care, animal and health nutrition, business strategies, and more. The CPPS course costs $315 and is only available to PSI members. If you register for the course when you sign up to be a member, there is a $75 discount. Like other certifications, the CPPS certification lasts for three years.
Be the Best You Can
We wish you the best of luck with your pet care career! Use this article as your guide to decide which pet care certifications you need to continue your education and become a certified pet care professional. Invest in yourself to continue your education and become the best professional you can. If you need pet care insurance, take a look at our website at Pet Care Insurance and get covered in minutes.
