About APDT Membership Levels
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 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 seven approved designations from five different organizations. The list below is reviewed by the APDT Board at least once a year and designations will be added or deleted as appropriate.
| Professional Designation | Approved Organization |
|---|---|
| CPDT-KA - Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed | Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers |
| ACAAB - Associate Certified 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 |
| CCAB - Certified Clinical Behavior Consultant | International Association for the Study of Animal Behavior |
| DACVB – Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists | American College of Veterinary Behaviorists |
Full Membership
APDT Full Membership is limited to part or full time dog trainers, animal behaviorists, and dog training educational personnel.
Associate Membership
APDT Associate Membership is open to anyone who has an interest in the field of dog training, e.g., suppliers of goods and services, and related professions.
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 |
