Certification Levels
CPACP
Certified Professional Animal Care Provider
What does it mean to be a Certified Professional Animal Care Provider (CPACP)?
Becoming a CPACP shows your clients, colleagues, and community that your professional qualifications and body of knowledge have met the highest pet care standards established by industry experts and have been certified by an independent testing body.
Eligibility Requirements
A minimum of 90 days or 500 hours of hands-on animal care experience.
Cost of the Exam
The cost to take the CPACP exam is $385 USD. Payment covers the cost for the the exam to be taken in-person or virtually at a testing center.
Maintaining Your Certification
CPACP certification is good for three years. To maintain certified status, a CPACP must report 20 approved Continuing Education Units (CEU). If 20 approved CEUs are not documented by the end of 3 years, retesting is required to become certified again. For information on PACCC-approved CEUs and reporting, visit the CEU Programs page.
Who Should Become a Certified Professional Animal Care Provider?
A Provider is the person in charge of the daily handling of the animals of a professional pet care business. Providers work in a variety of settings that include, but are not limited to, pet care centers (e.g., pet boarding facilities, dog daycare), pet sitters, dog walkers, grooming, bathing, customer service, and training. Providers oversee every aspect of an animal’s well-being while in their care. Providers must have knowledge and understanding of the importance of safety, animal health and behavior, and customer service. Providers strive to advance their education to better their pet care understanding and elevate the pet care they provide. Providers understand their role and how it plays a part in developing the success of the pet care industry.
Body of Knowledge Represented by CPACP Credentials
The in-depth, 125-question CPACP exam, conducted at an approved testing location for a total testing time of 2.5 hours, covers animal care topics including health issues such as administering medications, first aid and CPR, and cleaning and disinfecting. Additional tested health-related knowledge includes fights and bites; documentation; profile, play, behavior, and temperament; and animal management. Tested knowledge of operations includes the safety of animals and the facility (chemical usage, safety requirements); escape (prevention, owner notification, recovery); death; extreme weather, and disaster preparedness. Staff management expectations are also addressed. A complete outline of examination content is available in the Candidate Handbook.
Benefits of Certification
Becoming independently certified in animal care makes you a leader in the industry.
Your certification sets you apart from the competition and signals to pet parents and potential employers that you have successfully demonstrated your comprehensive pet care knowledge and how much you care about pet safety.
You are included in the PACCC Certified Directory available to the public here.
You receive a physical certificate suitable for framing and displaying at your place of business.
You can use your certification credentials (CPACP) with your name to signify your certified status.
You receive a digital badge to use with your email signature file and website.
CPACM
Certified Professional Animal Care Manager
What does it mean to be a Certified Professional Animal Care Manager (CPACM)?
Becoming a CPACM shows your clients, staff, colleagues, and community that your professional qualifications and knowledge have met the highest pet care standards established by industry experts and certified by an independent testing body.
Eligibility Requirements
- High school diploma or the equivalent
- A minimum of two years or 4,000 hours working in animal care
Cost of the Exam
The cost to take the CPACM exam is $485 USD. Payment covers the cost for the the exam to be taken in-person or virtually at a testing center.
Maintaining Your Certification
CPACM certification is good for three years. To maintain certified status, a CPACM must report 30 approved Continuing Education Units (CEU). If 30 approved CEUs are not documented by the end of 3 years, retesting is required to become certified again. For information on PACCC-approved CEUs and reporting, visit the CEU Programs page.
Who Should Become a Certified Professional Animal Care Manager?
A Manager is the person in charge of the daily operation of a professional pet care business. Managers bring a high level of knowledge and understanding about the importance of quality care for pets, pet parents, and/or the team of employees that they oversee. Managers understand customer service, animal health, animal behavior, safety for pets and staff, and human resources. Managers lead by example and promote positive business ethics. They strive to perform at a high level and gain more knowledge through education. Managers understand the importance of their role and how all of this influences the culture and success of the business and the pet care industry.
Body of Knowledge Represented by CPACM Credentials
The in-depth, 150-question CPACM exam, conducted at an approved testing location for a total testing time of 2.5 hours, covers animal care topics including health issues such as administering medications, first aid and CPR, and cleaning and disinfecting. Additional tested health-related knowledge includes fights and bites; documentation; profile, play, behavior, and temperament; and animal management. Knowledge of operations is also tested including the safety of animals, people, and the facility (e.g., chemical usage, safety requirements). Additional tested operations knowledge includes escape (e.g., prevention, owner notification, recovery); death (owner directives, vet confirmation); extreme weather and disaster preparedness; staff management (e.g., human resources, staff training); business management (e.g., strategic planning); financial management (e.g., asset management, payroll, budgeting); and customer relations and marketing. A complete outline of examination content is available in the Candidate Handbook.
Benefits of Certification
Becoming independently certified in animal care makes you a leader in the industry.
Your certification sets you apart from the competition and signals to pet parents and potential employers that you have successfully demonstrated your comprehensive pet care knowledge and how much you care about pet safety.
You are included in the PACCC Certified Directory available to the public here.
You receive a physical certificate suitable for framing and displaying at your place of business.
You can use your certification credentials (CPACM) with your name to signify your certified status.
You receive a digital badge to use with your email signature file and website.
CPACO
Certified Professional Animal Care Operator
What does it mean to be a Certified Professional Animal Care Operator (CPACO)?
Becoming a CPACM shows your clients, staff, colleagues, and community that your professional qualifications and knowledge have met the highest pet care standards established by industry experts and certified by an independent testing body.
Eligibility Requirements
- High school diploma or the equivalent
- A minimum of five years/experience working in the animal care industry, with at least one year in the Operator position
- Membership in a pet association or organization
Cost of the Exam
The cost to take the CPACO exam is $585 USD. Payment covers the cost for the the exam to be taken in-person or virtually at a testing center.
Maintaining Your Certification
CPACO certification is good for three years. To maintain certified status, a CPACO must report 36 approved Continuing Education Units (CEU). If 36 approved CEUs are not documented by the end of 3 years, retesting is required to become certified again. For information on PACCC-approved CEUs and reporting, visit the CEU Programs page.
Who Should Become a Certified Professional Animal Care Operator?
An Operator is responsible for the overall operation of a professional pet care business. An Operator is a pet care expert committed to animal care excellence, who provides a safe, nurturing, and educational environment for pet companions, the individuals who care for those companions, and all who visit the business. Furthermore, an Operator is an advocate for the humane treatment of all animals in the community and provides educational services on the care and safe handling of pet companions. As a member of the business community, an Operator is also responsible for promoting the business and strives to ensure employees are positive members of the community. An Operator defines and communicates the business mission and values, and is an active member of the animal care industry, investing in ongoing learning, personally, and for all staff.
Body of Knowledge Represented by CPACO Credentials
The in-depth, 175-question CPACO exam, conducted at an approved testing location for a total testing time of 4 hours, covers animal care topics including health issues such as administering medications, first aid and CPR, cleaning and disinfecting, illnesses, owner directives, knowledge of parasites and zoonotic diseases, nutrition, breeds, and mental engagement tools. Additional tested health-related knowledge includes fights and bites; documentation; profile, play, behavior, and temperament; and animal management. Operations knowledge includes animal safety (e.g., handling, equipment, vaccinations, handler ratios) and facility safety (e.g., chemical usage, safety requirements); escape (e.g., prevention, owner notification, recovery); death (owner directives, vet confirmation); extreme weather and disaster preparedness. The Operator is also tested on staff management (e.g., human resources, staff training, policies and procedures, teamwork, company culture, employee satisfaction); business management (e.g., strategic planning, stewardship); financial management (e.g., systems, payroll/labor, budgeting, cost management, revenue categories, financial reports, cash flow forecasting); and customer relations and marketing. A complete outline of examination content is available in the Candidate Handbook.
Benefits of Certification
Becoming independently certified in animal care makes you a leader in the industry.
Your certification sets you apart from the competition and signals to pet parents and potential employers that you have successfully demonstrated your comprehensive pet care knowledge and how much you care about pet safety.
You are included in the PACCC Certified Directory available to the public here.
You receive a physical certificate suitable for framing and displaying at your place of business.
You can use your certification credentials (CPACM) with your name to signify your certified status.
You receive a digital badge to use with your email signature file and website.