BOARD OF CANINE BEHAVIORISTS
Professional Certification
ABOUT THE BOARD
Frequently Asked Questions
Find clear answers about Board certification, assessment standards, professional membership, international eligibility, and the values that guide the Board of Canine Behaviorists.
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Certification
Learn about the Board's certification pathway, assessments, examinations, and professional credentials.
Why should I choose the Board of Canine Behaviorists?
Because certification should represent genuine professional competence, not simply course completion or examination performance.
The Board of Canine Behaviorists is an internationally recognized certification body, with certified professionals and members across Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Every certification is built on evidence-based standards, independently assessed by qualified professionals, and structured as a clear professional pathway that develops throughout a career.
A BCB credential helps build confidence with clients by demonstrating that your knowledge and professional competence have been independently assessed against established standards. It also provides reassurance to veterinary professionals, shelters, rescues, employers, and referral partners that you're committed to ethical practice, evidence-based canine behavior, and continuing professional development.
As candidates progress through the certification pathway, assessments become increasingly comprehensive, incorporating live remotely proctored examinations, written assessments, professional case portfolios, and, at the highest level, an Original Professional Thesis and a Professional Case Portfolio independently verified by a licensed veterinarian. Every stage is designed to evaluate real knowledge, practical competence, and professional judgment.
Choosing the Board of Canine Behaviorists means joining an international professional community dedicated to advancing canine behavior through scientific evidence, ethical practice, professional accountability, and lifelong learning.
Each level reflects a stage of professional experience, building on the one before it.
Canine Behavior Associate (CBA) — The foundational credential for anyone beginning their journey in canine behavior and building a base in evidence-based principles.
Canine Behavior Consultant (CBC) — For professionals working independently with clients and applying evidence-based behavior modification in real-world settings.
Senior Canine Behavior Consultant (SCBC) — For experienced professionals managing complex behavior rehabilitation cases.
Board Certified Canine Behaviorist (B.C.C.B.) — The Board's highest credential, reserved for professionals with a decade or more of documented experience and an original contribution to the field.
Most professionals begin at CBA and progress through the certification pathway as their knowledge and experience grow.
That depends on the certification level.
The Canine Behavior Associate (CBA) is designed as an entry point for those beginning their professional journey, while higher certification levels require progressively greater professional experience.
Each Candidate Handbook explains the eligibility requirements, assessment process, and certification standards in full.
Yes.
All Board examinations are completed through our secure online assessment system using live remote proctoring.
Depending on the certification level, candidates may also complete additional assessment components such as written assessments, professional case portfolios, or an Original Professional Thesis.
Full assessment requirements for every certification are detailed within the relevant Candidate Handbook.
Because it involves considerably more than an examination.
B.C.C.B. candidates complete a Professional Case Portfolio independently verified by a licensed veterinarian, write an Original Professional Thesis assessed against a formal academic rubric, and complete a two-part examination combining a knowledge assessment with an essay-based professional integration assessment.
The fee reflects the scope of the assessment. It is designed as the Board's highest professional credential and represents the culmination of years of professional development rather than an entry-level certification.
Candidates who do not achieve a passing score may retake the examination following the required waiting period and payment of the applicable retake fee.
Waiting periods and retake fees vary by certification level and are outlined within the relevant Candidate Handbook.
The time required depends on the certification level and your individual pace.
Entry-level certifications can often be completed within weeks, while advanced credentials involve additional professional experience, assessment components, and documentation requirements.
Estimated completion timelines are provided within each Candidate Handbook.
The time required depends on the certification level and your individual pace.
Entry-level certifications can often be completed within weeks, while advanced credentials involve additional professional experience, assessment components, and documentation requirements.
Estimated completion timelines are provided within each Candidate Handbook.
Once your certification has been awarded, you'll receive your official digital certificate and digital certification badge.
Eligible professionals may also be listed within the Board's public certification directory once it becomes available, allowing clients, employers, and veterinary professionals to verify your professional credentials.
What's the difference between the four certification levels?
Do I need experience before applying?
Are the examinations completed online?
Why does the B.C.C.B. cost more than the other certifications?
What happens if I don't pass my examination?
How long does certification take?
Can I skip directly to a higher certification?
What happens after I become certified?
Professional Standards
Learn how the Board maintains independent assessment, ethical standards, and professional accountability throughout every certification level.
Is the Board of Canine Behaviorists recognized by veterinary professionals?
Yes. Board of Canine Behaviorists certifications are trusted by veterinary professionals when referring behavioural cases and working collaboratively with qualified canine behaviour professionals.
That confidence is built on the Board's commitment to independent assessment, ethical practice, and evidence-based canine behaviour. Every certification is assessed by appropriately qualified professionals, with assessment requirements becoming progressively more comprehensive as candidates advance through the certification pathway. Rather than relying solely on examination performance, candidates are evaluated on the knowledge, practical competence, and professional judgement expected at each certification level.
By maintaining consistent standards across every certification, the Board helps provide veterinary professionals, clients, employers, shelters, rescues, and referral partners with confidence that a BCB credential represents meaningful professional achievement and an ongoing commitment to professional excellence.
Professionals qualified to judge the work at hand. Every assessor holds a certification rank higher than the credential they're evaluating.
CBA, CBC, and SCBC assessments are graded by professionals holding SCBC certification or higher. B.C.C.B. portfolios and theses are assessed jointly by B.C.C.B.-level professionals and licensed veterinary professionals.
Written work is graded blind, meaning your identity isn't visible to the assessor, ensuring every candidate is assessed against the same standards.
Full details are available in our Governance & Assessment Standards.
No.
The Board does not endorse any single training school, methodology, commercial organisation, or product line. Our certification standards are founded on canine behaviour science, critical thinking, professional ethics, and animal welfare.
We do, however, maintain a clear welfare position. Certified professionals do not use aversive training tools, including electronic collars, prong collars, and pinch collars. This reflects the Board's commitment to evidence-based practice and animal welfare rather than adherence to a particular training philosophy.
Yes.
Our public certification verification directory is currently under development and will allow anyone to instantly verify an individual's certification status.
Until the directory is available, our support team can manually confirm whether an individual currently holds an active Board certification.
No.
Board Certification does not authorize the practice of veterinary medicine, psychology, or any other regulated profession.
Certified professionals are trained to recognise when a case falls outside their scope of practice and requires referral to an appropriately qualified professional, including a licensed veterinarian.
Who actually grades my exam, thesis, or portfolio?
Is the Board tied to one training method or philosophy?
Can I verify that someone holds a Board certification?
Does Board certification authorize someone to practice veterinary medicine?
General Information
Find answers to general questions about membership, international recognition, and the Board of Canine Behaviorists.
Why should I become a Companion Member?
Companion Membership is designed for dog owners, handlers, and supporters who want to stay connected with the Board of Canine Behaviorists and support the advancement of evidence-based canine behaviour.
Members receive a digital membership badge and certificate, educational resources, Board updates, newsletters, and access to exclusive member benefits. Companion Membership allows anyone with an interest in canine behaviour to become part of an international community committed to education, animal welfare, and professional excellence.
Professional Facility Membership demonstrates your organisation's commitment to education, ethical practice, and evidence-based canine behaviour.
Displaying the official BCB Facility Member badge helps build confidence with clients, veterinary professionals, referral partners, and the wider community by demonstrating that your organisation actively invests in professional standards and staff development.
Facility Members also receive employee certification discounts, a professional membership certificate, educational resources, and recognition as part of an international network of organisations committed to advancing canine behaviour.
Supporting multiple team members through certification helps create consistency across your organisation while demonstrating an ongoing investment in professional excellence.
Yes.
The Board of Canine Behaviorists is an international certification body, currently certifying professionals and welcoming members from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Our certification pathway, professional memberships, and educational resources are designed to support professionals and organizations around the world while maintaining consistent standards of independent assessment, ethical practice, and evidence-based canine behavior.
As the Board continues to grow internationally, we remain committed to maintaining the same high standards for every certificant and member, regardless of where they are located.
Yes.
Professional Facility Members receive discounted certification pricing for employees. Organisations receive a 10% discount when enrolling individual employees and an increased 15% discount when enrolling three or more employees at the same time.
This makes it easier to invest in organisation-wide professional development while promoting consistent standards, shared knowledge, and evidence-based practice across the entire team.
If you can't find the answer you're looking for, we're here to help.
Whether your question relates to certification, membership, examinations, governance, or professional standards, you're welcome to contact the Board directly. Simply email us at hello@caninebehaviorists.org, and a member of our team will respond as soon as possible.
We're committed to providing accurate information and supporting prospective candidates, certified professionals, members, and organizations throughout their journey with the Board of Canine Behaviorists.
Why should my organisation become a Facility Member?
Is the Board of Canine Behaviorists internationally recognized?
Can organisations certify multiple staff members?
I still have a question. How can I contact the Board?