Credentials & Certifications

There are many certifications, credentials and degrees connected with the dog training and dog behavior modification industry and as time goes on there will be even more. The three main certifications or credentials that are available area:

• The APDT Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT)
• The IACP Certified Dog Trainer (CDT) and
• The NICE Certified Master Dog Trainer (CMDT)
• and Certified Versatile Master Dog Trainer (CMVT).

THE APDT Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT)

This certificate is awarded when the applicant passes a written test. In order to sit for the test, the candidate must have 300 hours of experience in dog training over 5 years (300 divided by 5 equals 60 hours a year).

Please note that there are not any guidelines as to exactly what activities and experiences will contribute to the mandatory dog training experience. Other requirements needed to sit for the exam are a high school diploma, and three written references.

IACP Certified Dog Trainer (CDT)

This certificate is based upon a dog trainer’s years of membership within the organization. If you were a dues paying Professional Level member, who is a practicing dog professional for a period of five years then you could be awarded the CDT. The IACP selected a group of dog trainers to be grandfathered in and given the title of CDT as a reward for service to the organization. Other requirements for the CDT are that the dues for the current year be paid in full, and that the membership number must fall between #1000 and 1115.

The requirements for the CDT for Professional level members who do not met the previously mentioned requirements are:

1. Professional level membership for five years,
2. Dues are paid in full for the current year.
3. Membership dues must not have lapsed during the last five years.
4. Three letters of references from any client must be submitted. These reference letters may come from any client whose dog you have worked with at any time during your training career, as long as the
   following requirements are met:
   • a date
   • the client’s full name
   • the client’s current address
   • the client’s current phone number
   • and information on the dog’s improvements as a direct result of your training
5. Three clients fill out and return a “Client Form” to the organization.

The Certified Master Trainer (CMT)

This certificate is offered by NICE Service, Inc. and is available to any dog professional who has titled a dog in a recognized dog sport that requires off-leash reliability, precision and control from the dog.

Our certificate is based upon our belief that actual physical proof that a dog professional has met objective standards for performance set by an impartial dog organization or club, such as the AKC or UKC is the best
possible indicator of quality, ability and proficiency in training dogs.

Academic degrees or written tests are the poorest indicators of a professional dog trainers ability to actually train a dog.

The dog professional that wishes to receive any of our certificates, the CMT or CVMT must apply to each one individually. We will keep all submitted documents for our records. The following criteria must be submitted to NICE Services Inc. in order for the appropriate credentials to be awarded:

• Copy of Title(s).
• Copy of Applicant’s Driver’s License.
• A letter stating the request for CMT or CVMT. This letter must contain full name, business name, website address, home address, business address, home and business telephone numbers.
• A notarized letter stating the exact method of training and the training tools used to educate the dog to the winning level of performance.

Once all documents are received and verified the certificate will be mailed out to the dog professional. The CMT/CMVT will have name of recipient, the type of dog sport and level of title awarded in that sport and date that the CMT or CVMT credential was awarded.

The award of the credential is permanent. There is not any need for renewal or continuing education credits. Eventually, all dog professionals that have been awarded titles will be placed into a data base.

The Certified Master Trainer (CMT)

This certificate is offered by NICE Services Inc. and is available to any dog professional who has titled a dog in a recognized dog sport that requires off-leash reliability, precision and control from the dog.

Our certificate is based upon our belief that actual physical proof that a dog professional has met objective standards for performance set by an impartial dog organization or club such as the AKC or UKC is the best indicator of a dog trainer’s ability and proficiency in training dogs.

The dog professional that wishes to receive any of our certificates, the CMT or CVMT must apply to each one individually. We will keep all submitted documents for our records. The following criteria must be submitted to NICE Services Inc. in order for the appropriate credentials to be awarded:

• Copy of Title(s).
• Copy of Applicant’s Driver’s License.
• A letter stating the request for CMT or CVMT. This letter must contain full name, business name, website address, home address, business address, home and business telephone numbers.
• A notarized letter stating that the electric dog collar was the primary training tool, and that it was used in a manner constant with positive reinforcement/negative reinforcement, and not as a punisher.

Once all documents are received and verified the certificate will be mailed out to the dog professional. The CMT will have name of recipient, the type of dog sport and level of title awarded in that sport and date that the CMT or CVMT credential was awarded. A trainer must have been awarded the CMT in order to apply and recieve the CVMT.

The award of the credential is permanent. There is not any need for renewal or continuing education credits.

The Certified Master Trainer (CMT)

To be considered for the CMT, the individual must have titled a dog in any one of the following sports to any level such as Novice, Intermediate or Advanced from any recognized dog organization. Some recognized dog
organizations are UKC, AKC, AMBOR, AMCA, AWTA, NAHRA. The recognized activities are:

• Competitive Obedience
• Military Dog Training
• Police Dog Training
• Hunting
• Protection
• Herding

If you train dogs in a field that does not offer titles such as Assistance Dog training or training dogs for commercial or theatrical work you may be awarded the CMT.  You need to submit video of three (3) fully trained dogs working in their environment without training collars or leashes attached and enclose three (3) letters of reference from satisfied commercial or private clients.

The Certified Versatile Master Trainer (CVMT)

Titled a single dog in any three or more of the following dog sports from any recognized dog organization such as AKC, UKC, NARA, ASCA, or CKC:

• Obedience
• Agility
• Rally
• Hunting
• Tracking
• Carting
• Sledding
• Skijoring
• Scootering
• Canicross
• Bikejoring
• Dryland Rig Racing
• Water Rescue
• Lure Coursing
• Road Trials
• Protection
• Musical Freestyle
• Herding
• or Therapy Dog Certification. 

Puppies are the joy at one end.

Old dogs are the treasure at the other.