Views
- Rationale Animal behaviorists can be educated in a variety of disciplines including animal science, ethology, psychology, wildlife biology, behavioral ecology, and/or zoology. A professional applied animal behaviorist is a person with demonstrated expertise in:
- The theoretical principles of animal behavior,
- The process of conducting empirical research on the behavior of animals in either a laboratory or field setting,
- The application of animal behavioral principles to solution of animal behavior problems, and
- The dissemination of accurate information about animal behavior through teaching and/or research.
- Objectives The objectives of the Animal Behavior Society's Certification program are:
- To recognize the professional training of applied animal behaviorists by establishing specific standards and criteria for certification.
- To educate and inform potential public and private clients and employers about the education and experience of applied animal behaviorists and to assist these same groups in evaluating applied animal behaviorists,
- To assist the public in identifying applied animal behaviorists by establishing and maintaining a procedure for critical peer evaluation based upon defined minimum education, experience and ethical requirements,
- To create and maintain public confidence in the advice and opinions of applied animal behaviorists as well-educated and experienced professionals who have pledged to uphold the Code of Ethics of the Animal Behavior Society and to act in the best interest of the public, and
- To provide public and private clients more positive access to professional advice in matters concerning applied animal behavior.
- Levels of Professional Certification
- Associate Applied Animal Behaviorist
- Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist
- Requirements
- Associate Applied Animal Behaviorist
- Education. Masters Degree in a biological or behavioral science with an emphasis on animal behavior, from an accredited college or university. The applicant's undergraduate and/or graduate course work must include a minimum of 21 semester credits in behavioral science courses to include: 6 semester credits in ethology, animal behavioral and/or comparative psychology (e.g., experimental psychology).
- Experience. Minimum of two years professional experience in applied animal behavior. The applicant must demonstrate the ability to perform independently and professionally in applied animal behavior. Examples include independent studies, data analyses, formulation and testing of hypotheses, and professional writing. Evidence of significant experience working interactively with a particular species (e.g., researcher, research assistant, or intern with a certified applied animal behaviorist) prior to working independently with the species in a clinical animal behavior setting (i.e., one involving the diagnosis and treatment of an animal's behavior).
- Endorsement. A minimum of three letters of recommendation from Animal Behavior Society (regular) members affirming the applicant's professional experience in the areas listed above. Only two letters may come from the same institution.
- Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist
- Education and Experience. Doctoral degree in a biological or behavioral science with an emphasis on animal behavior, including five years of professional experience; or a DVM (or VMD) plus two years in a university-approved residency in animal behavior, and three additional years of professional experience in applied animal behavior. Any of the degrees must include the course work required for an Associate Applied Animal Behaviorist. Also:
- Demonstration of thorough knowledge of the literature, scientific principles, and principles of animal behavior.
- Demonstration of original contributions or original interpretations of animal behavior information.
- Evidence of significant experience working interactively with a particular species (e.g., researcher, research assistant, or intern with a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist) prior to working independently with the species in a clinical animal behavior setting (one involving the diagnosis and treatment of an animal's behavior).
- Endorsement: A minimum of three letters of recommendation from ABS (regular) members affirming the applicant's professional experience in the areas listed above. Only two letters may come from the same institution.
- Exceptions: An applicant who does not qualify under the above criteria must submit a statement to the Board of Professional Certification explaining why and how the intent of the educational and experiential requirements are satisfied.
- Renewal
- Ethics Associate Applied Animal Behaviorists and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists shall:
- Conduct their activities in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Animal Behavior Society, with the highest standards of professional conduct and personal honor, and in accordance with the laws of applicable jurisdictions.
- Accept employment to perform professional services only in the areas of their own competence and consistent with the Code of Ethics of the Animal Behavior Society. They shall seek to refer clients or employers to other applied animal behaviorists when expertise of such professionals shall best serve the interests of the public and the client/employer. They shall cooperate fully with other professionals in the best interest of the animals, the public and the client/employer. They shall act in accordance with ABS/ASAB Guidelines for the use of Animals in Research.
- Refrain from advertising in a self-laudatory manner, beyond statements intended to inform prospective clients/employers of qualifications, or in a manner detrimental to fellow professionals. They shall follow ABS Policy for the use of the Society's name.
- Administration Certification shall be administered by the Board of Professional Certification (BPC) consisting of six members including the First President-elect of the Animal Behavior Society who serves as an ex officio member. The Chairperson and Board members are appointed by the President of the Animal Behavior Society with the approval of the ABS Executive Committee (see below).
- Board Member Requirements. Board members must be certified and be ABS members in good standing. (The certification requirement does not apply to the First President-elect, who serves as an ex officio member not voting on certification applications). They should represent an appropriate range of training in animal species, theoretical perspectives, and areas of applied animal behavior. The BPC Chair's "certification file" is to be held by the First President-elect (the ex officio member of the Board). [Revised at 1991 and 1994 E.C. Meetings]?
- Appointment. The President of ABS, in consultation with the Chairperson of the committee on Issues in Applied Animal Behavior and the Executive Committee, shall appoint members. Members appointed initially must be deemed certifiable.
- Terms. Three year staggered terms such that no more than two terms expire each year.
- Board Chairperson Responsibilities. The Board Chairperson will be responsible for:
- Maintaining hardcopy and computer files on all applicants.
- Maintaining a list of Associate applied Animal Behaviorists and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists.
- Preparing application materials for review by the Board.
- Chairing, and providing agenda for, meetings of BPC.
- Periodically advising applicants of status of their applications, including materials yet to be received.
- Informing applicants of the results of the BPC's review. The chairperson's name, address, and telephone number should clearly show on certificates to enable the public to interact with the Board. [Revised at 1992 E.C. meetings.]?
- Coordinating the process of review for censure and suspension or revocation of certification.
- Advising Associate Applied Animal Behaviorists and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists of yearly renewal and recertification requirements and deadlines.
- Maintaining the Board's budget.
- Providing a written and oral report on the status of the Certification Program to the ABS Executive Committee at the annual meeting.
- Providing information on individual applications or the Certification Program to officers of the ABS at their request, including information for any appeal proceedings.
- Forwarding all Certification Program equipment and records to the incoming Chairperson.
- Meetings. The Board will meet annually to review and act on applications. The Board may meet or act on applications more frequently at the request of a majority of the Board. For the first two years the Board will meet at the annual meeting of the ABS. Thereafter they may meet separately depending on the amount of business to be conducted and the Board's budget.
- Financing. The ABS will provide startup expenses for the certification Program for the first two years. The Certification Program will reimburse the ABS for that amount during the first two years of operation. Thereafter the Certification Program will be self-sustaining through fees collected. The Board's budget will be allocated by the ABS Treasurer.
- Fee Structure (same for both levels of certification) (Revised at 2008 E.C. meeting).
ABS Members
- Application. All Initial, Yearly Renewal, and Recertification applicants will be required to submit the following materials whether they are seeking certification as an Associate applied Animal Behaviorist or a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist. Application Initial and Yearly
- Re-application: An applicant may reapply for certification following denial by the BPC. The re- application may be based on completing deficiencies specified by the BPC or on exceptions deemed appropriate by the applicant.
Initial Application: $100 (non-refundable, but also covers first re-application)
Re-application: $100 (second and subsequent)
Recertification: $100
Non-MembersInitial Application: $200 (non-refundable, but also covers first re-application)
Re-application: $200 (second and subsequent)
Recertification: $200
Materials
Re-application Renewal Recertification Application Form Degree Transcripts Current Resume Names, Addresses and Phone Numbers of Three References Fee All completed Initial, Yearly Renewal, and Recertification applications will be sent to the Board Chairperson along with the fees (check payable to the Animal Behavior Society). The applications will be filed and maintained by the Chairperson (hardcopy and computer database), and the fees will be forwarded to the ABS Treasurer on a monthly basis. - Denials and Appeals Procedure. A decision by the BPC to deny certification may be appealed to the ABS Executive Committee by march 1. The appeal must be in writing to the President of the Animal Behavior Society. The reason(s) for denial shall be provided in writing to the President of the ABS by the Chairperson of the BPC. The Executive Committee shall have the right to seek evidence from others. The decision of the ABS Executive Committee shall be delivered to the appellant in writing and shall be final.
- Disciplinary Procedure. The BPC shall have the authority to censure a certificant, to suspend certification for a stated period, or to revoke certification on finding that an individual has willfully violated the ABS Code of Ethics and the Certification program or misrepresented the facts at the time of certification. Such a finding may be reached by concluding that an allegation of improper deportment is true.
Certification of applied animal behaviorists is a means of demonstrating to the public, as well as to colleagues and peers, the training required to practice as a professional applied animal behaviorist. Certification constitutes recognition by the Animal Behavior Society that, to its best knowledge, the certificant meets the educational, experiential, and ethical standards required by the Society for professional applied animal behaviorists. Certification does not constitute a guarantee that the applicant meets a specific standard of competence or possesses specific knowledge.
Certification may be renewed each year for five years following initial certification or recertification. Failure to pay the yearly renewal or recertification fee will result in decertification. Certification will be reinstated following receipt of the annual renewal fee within the 5 year certification period.
A charge of misconduct may be presented in writing to the Chairperson of the BPC. Anonymous allegations will not be entertained. After reviewing the case, the BPC may elect to pursue the issue and render a written decision informing the certificant, the individual who initiated the charge and the president of the ABS. Any such action by the BPC may be appealed to the ABS Executive Committee, whose decision will be final.
