Why is NACA Certification Important?
In today’s world, nearly every industry has certification standards for professionals in the field. Professional certification not only helps individuals demonstrate their competency, and show their commitment to the profession, it provides employers an effective way to evaluate whether a current, or prospective, employee possesses the skills and knowledge required for successful performance of their job duties.
As the leader in setting the standard for professionalism in the animal care and control field, the National Animal Care & Control Association began providing certification training to animal care and control professionals more than 25 years ago. With more than 12,000 individuals receiving certification training from NACA since our training programs began, NACA has become the foremost provider of animal care and control certification, and is the industry standard.
Continuing to Set the Standard
Obtaining a certification in animal care and control shows your organization, and the public you serve, your commitment to the animal care and control profession. The next step is to validate your dedication to the animal care and control profession by demonstrating that you are actively maintaining your competency year after year. We firmly believe that animal care and control professionals who pursue continuing education credits on a regular basis are more aware, and better educated, when it comes to utilizing current practices within the field.
To continue setting the standard of professionalism within the animal care and control field, the National Animal Care & Control Association will begin offering animal care and control professionals the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to the certifications they have earned by requiring continuing education units to maintain National Animal Care & Control Association certifications.
NACA Certification Process
Basic ACO Certification:
The online Basic ACO program is filled with more than 20 hours of instruction, activities, and exercises designed to help you grow and succeed in your role. It is designed for the busy working professional. Each lesson is divided into 5-10 topics that can be completed in 10-20 minutes each. Every week you’ll receive access to the next lesson in the course’s series.
After successful completion of the basic online ACO I Academy ($397) and Proctored Final Exam ($50), you will receive NACA’s Basic Animal Control Officer I Certification.
After successful completion of the basic online ACO II Academy ($397) and Proctored Final Exam ($50), you will receive NACA’s National Animal Control Officer II Certification.
Join NACA & Save $100
Your NACA Individual Membership includes a $100 Discount on this certification training!
NACA ACO I & NACA ACO II Online Courses
Designed for the busy working professional. Each course contains lessons that are divided into 5-10 bite sized “topics” that can be completed in 10-20 minutes each. Every week you’ll receive access to the next lesson in the course’s series.
Introductory Pricing:
$397: ACO I Course, Certificate of Completion **
$397: ACO II Course, Certificate of Completion **
$447: ACO I & Proctored Exam Required for NACA Certification **
$447: ACO II & Proctored Exam Required for NACA Certification **
$844: ACO I & ACO II with Proctored Exam
** The basic cost of the course is $397 but current NACA Individual Members are eligible to receive a $100 off coupon. Contact aaron@justiceclearinghouse.com for the code. Above, students should decide if they would prefer to receive a NACA Certificate of Completion (upon successful completion of all lessons) OR if they would like to receive a NACA Certified ACO certification (upon successful completion of the on-line proctored final exam).
What is the Difference Between this OnLine Course and the 40-Hour NACHO Training?
The NACA ACO Basic I online training course is a ready-made solution to prepare animal welfare personnel for their career and for future training such as the in-person, 40-hour NACHO training class that provides hands-on experience for students. Because it is an online program, it can be incorporated into your on-boarding field training process and used immediately to meet your agency’s needs on-demand. View Content Comparisons
Certification Process
ACO I Certification
Must Complete the Basic Online ACO I Academy
Must Pass Proctored Exam with a score of 80%
ACO II Certification
Must Complete the Online ACO II Academy
Must Pass Academy Exam with a score of 80%
Certification Term
Valid for three (3) years from the date of certification
Must Pursuing Continuing Education Opportunities (CEU) as Outlined below
Must complete a recertification application and submit proof of CEUs before certification expiration.
NACA members must recertify every 3 years after their initial certification. To remain certified, members must complete 10 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) per year to meet the 30 CEU requirement during the 3-year certification cycle. All CEU activities must relate to the animal care & control profession, as defined by NACA.
An individual, institution, organization, or agency responsible for the development, implementation, evaluation, record-keeping, of a quality continuing education activity may submit CEU activities for approval. The CEU activity must meet the NACA Guidelines and program definition of continuing education.
A CEU is 60 minutes of an organized learning activity.
CEU Limits
|
Activity |
CEU Hours Max |
Proof |
|
NACA Conference |
10 CEUs per year |
Proof of attendance/Certificate of Completion |
|
Other Conferences |
5 CEUs per year |
Proof of attendance/Certificate of Completion |
|
Classroom Trainings |
10 CEUs per year |
Proof of attendance/Certificate of Completion |
|
Webinars |
5 CEUs per year |
Certificate of Completion, email from presenter (included must be course name, date, organization, and length) |
|
Online Training |
10 CEU’s per year |
Certificate of completion including proof of a successful quiz. Quiz developed by presenter on course content |
|
Other |
5 CEUs per year |
As approved by NACA |
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