About the Professional Membership
As a way of recognizing our members who have demonstrated their professionalism by attaining certification and as encouragement to those who have yet to do so, the APDT has established a "Professional Member" classification.
Professional Membership is only available to members who have earned related certification(s) from an approved organization that is recognized by the APDT Board of Directors. At present, this list includes ten approved designations from seven different organizations. The list below will be reviewed by the APDT Board at least once a year and designations will be added or deleted as appropriate.
Remember, you must possess at least one of the certifications below in order for your APDT Professional Membership to be approved.
| Professional Designation | Approved Organization |
|---|---|
| CPDT - Certified Pet Dog Trainer | Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers |
| CAAAB - Certified Associate Applied Animal Behaviorist | Animal Behavior Society |
| CAAB - Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist | Animal Behavior Society |
| CABC - Certified Animal Behavior Consultant | International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants |
| CDBC - Certified Dog Behavior Consultant | International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants |
| CDT - Certified Dog Trainer | International Association of Canine Professionals |
| CDTA - Certified Dog Trainer Advanced | International Association of Canine Professionals |
| CCAB - Certified Clinical Behavior Consultant | International Association for the Study of Animal Behavior |
| DACVB – Dilplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists | American College of Veterinary Behaviorists |
| NADOI – Endorsed Member | National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors, Inc |
Membership Classification Benefits
| Membership Classification | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Membership Benefit | Professional | Full | Associate |
| Status of Listing on Dog Trainer Search | Priority | Regular | Not Eligible |
| Type of Member Logo approved to use | Professional | Member | Associate |
| Eligible for additional 10% Discount on all APDT Events | Yes | No | No |
| Voting Privileges | Yes | Yes | No |
| Serve on Board and/or Officer of Association | Yes | Yes | No |
| Serve as Committee/Task Force Chair | Yes | Yes | No |
| Serve on Committees/Task Forces | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Receives Chronicle of the Dog | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Receives MNB's and Email Alerts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Access to Member Only section of Website | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Listed in Online Directory with approved Certifications | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Eligible for Buying Programs, including Insurance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Approved to use Member Logo | Yes | Yes | Yes |
