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ABTC Practitioner Assessments

Assessed by the International Institute for Canine Ethics (IICE) - ABTC-approved Assessing Organisation


Get on the ABTC register through IICE.


The ABTC Practitioners Register is the UK's most credible independent recognition for canine training and behaviour professionals - acknowledged by DEFRA and respected across the veterinary and welfare sectors.


IICE is an ABTC-approved Assessing Organisation. That means when you book your assessment through IICE, you are working with an organisation that knows the standard inside out - and is committed to supporting you through the process, not just putting you through it.


We assess for three roles: Animal Trainer (AT), Animal Training Instructor (ATI) and Animal Behaviour Technician (ABT).

BEFORE YOU BOOK - ARE YOU READY?

There are two things you need in place before you can sit your assessment with IICE.


1. Active IICE membership IICE is your Practitioner Organisation as well as your Assessing Organisation. Your IICE membership is what opens the door to the register. If you are not yet a member, you will need to join before booking your assessment. Become an IICE member


2. Knowledge and Understanding (K&U) sign-off Before your practical skills assessment can take place, your Knowledge and Understanding must be confirmed as meeting the ABTC standard for your chosen role.
 

AT and ATI: Your K&U is assessed directly by IICE. If you hold an ABTC-recognised course at the required level, you are ready to proceed. If not, contact us to discuss your route - IICE assesses K&U for AT and ATI directly, with no ABTC APEL fee required.


ABT: If you hold an ABTC-recognised Level 5 qualification, you can proceed directly. If not, you will need to complete the ABTC APEL process (£460, assessed centrally by the ABTC) before booking your practical assessment with IICE.
 

Not sure where you stand? Email us at info@canineethics.org and we will help you work it out before you commit to anything.

Animal Trainer Assessment (ABTC-AT)

Requires Level 3-4 qualification

What the AT register recognises

The Animal Trainer designation recognises practitioners who work directly with dogs to train specific behaviours. You are the one in the room with the animal - handling, shaping and reinforcing behaviour through your own skill and timing. This is not about teaching owners. It is about what you can do with a dog.

What the assessment involves

Your AT assessment with IICE covers the ABTC Performance Criteria for the Animal Trainer role. You will be required to demonstrate practical competence across the standard through a combination of:
 

  • Written case studies evidencing your direct training work with dogs
     

  • Video evidence of you working with a dog - demonstrating training technique, timing and reinforcement
     

  • An oral interview with two IICE assessors, covering your methodology, your case work and your understanding of the standard

 

Your submission is assessed by two qualified IICE assessors against the ABTC AT standard. You will receive clear feedback on your outcome.

Am I ready?

You are likely ready to book your AT assessment if:
 

  • You hold an ABTC-recognised qualification at Level 3 or 4, or have had your K&U confirmed by IICE
     

  • You are actively working with dogs in a training capacity and have suitable case work to draw on
     

  • You are confident in your training technique, timing and use of positive reinforcement
     

  • You understand the scope of the AT role and where referral is appropriate


If you are not quite there yet, IICE membership gives you access to CPD, peer support and guidance to help you build towards assessment readiness.

Assessment fee: £460 - IICE membership required. K&U must be confirmed before assessment proceeds.
 

Animal Training Instructor Assessment (ABTC-ATI)

Requires Level 4 qualification


What the ATI register recognises


The Animal Training Instructor designation recognises practitioners who teach owners and guardians how to train their own dogs. Your primary relationship is with the person, not the animal. You are a teacher as much as a trainer - and the ATI standard reflects that. It recognises both your knowledge of animal behaviour and your ability to communicate it clearly, adapt to different learners and support owners to build a genuine training relationship with their dog.


This is the most common entry point to the ABTC register for practitioners running group classes or delivering 1:1 owner instruction.


What the assessment involves


Your ATI assessment with IICE covers the ABTC Performance Criteria for the Animal Training Instructor role. You will be required to demonstrate competence across the standard through a combination of:

 

  • Written case studies evidencing your work with owners and their dogs - covering a range of contexts and learner

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  • Video evidence of you delivering instruction - demonstrating your teaching approach, communication style and ability to support owners in real time

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  • An oral interview with two IICE assessors, covering your methodology, your case work and your understanding of the standard

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Your submission is assessed by two qualified IICE assessors against the ABTC ATI standard. You will receive clear feedback on your outcome.


Am I ready?


You are likely ready to book your ATI assessment if:

 

  • You hold an ABTC-recognised qualification at Level 4, or have had your K&U confirmed by IICE

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  • You are actively working with owners and their dogs - in group classes, 1:1 sessions or both - and have suitable case work to draw on

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  • You are confident in your ability to teach, adapt and support a range of learners

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  • You understand the scope of the ATI role and where referral to a more specialist practitioner is appropriate

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  • Not quite there? IICE membership gives you access to CPD, community and guidance to help you build towards assessment with confidence.


Assessment fee: £460 -  IICE membership required. K&U must be confirmed before assessment proceeds.
 

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Animal Behaviour Technician Assessment (ABTC-ABT)

Requires Level 5 qualification


What the ABT register recognises


The Animal Behaviour Technician designation sits at the interface between training and behaviour. It recognises practitioners who provide behavioural first aid and prevention support to owners, and who implement behaviour modification plans developed by a Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB) or Veterinary Behaviourist.


This is a more specialist role than AT or ATI. It requires a deeper understanding of the psychological, emotional and welfare factors that drive behaviour - and a clear grasp of the professional boundaries that define where the ABT role ends and clinical input begins.


The ABT designation is a meaningful and distinct professional credential. It is the right recognition for practitioners who are working thoughtfully and knowledgeably in the behaviour support space, below CAB level.


What the assessment involves


Your ABT assessment with IICE covers the ABTC Performance Criteria for the Animal Behaviour Technician role. You will be required to demonstrate competence across the standard through a combination of:

 

  • Written case studies evidencing your behaviour support work - demonstrating your ability to assess, plan and implement appropriately within the ABT scope

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  • Video evidence of you working with an owner and dog - demonstrating your approach to behavioural first aid, owner communication and implementation of support strategies

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  • An oral interview with two IICE assessors, covering your methodology, your case work, your understanding of referral boundaries and your grasp of the relevant science


Your submission is assessed by two qualified IICE assessors against the ABTC ABT standard. You will receive clear feedback on your outcome.


Am I ready?

 

  • You are likely ready to book your ABT assessment if:

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  • You hold an ABTC-recognised qualification at Level 5, or have completed the ABTC APEL process (£460 to the ABTC) confirming your K&U

​

  • You are actively working with owners and dogs in a behaviour support capacity and have suitable case work that falls within the ABT scope

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  • You are confident in your understanding of behavioural science, welfare considerations and the emotional factors that drive behaviour

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  • You understand the boundary between ABT-level work and clinical CAB-level work, and can demonstrate appropriate referral practice

 

If you are not yet at Level 5 or haven't completed APEL, our education partners Canine Principles (www.canineprinciples.com) and the International School for Canine Psychology and Behaviour (www.iscp.dog) offer qualifications at the levels required.


Assessment fee: £460 -  IICE membership required. ABTC APEL confirmation (£460 to ABTC) or recognised Level 5 qualification required before assessment proceeds.

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WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU PASS

Once you have successfully completed your assessment with IICE:

 

  • IICE confirms you have met the ABTC standard for your role
     

  • IICE submits your register entry to the ABTC on your behalf

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  • You pay the annual ABTC register fee (confirm current rate at abtc.org.uk

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  • You appear in the public ABTC Practitioners Directory

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  • You are entitled to use your ABTC designation after your name - ABTC-AT, ABTC-ATI or ABTC-ABT

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Registration is maintained annually through your IICE membership, your CPD declaration and adherence to the ABTC Code of Professional Conduct.

NOT SURE WHICH ROLE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Many practitioners find their work spans more than one role - and holding multiple ABTC designations is both possible and common.

If you are unsure whether you are ready to book, which role fits your practice, or what your K&U route looks like given your current qualifications - get in touch. We will have a straightforward conversation with you and point you in the right direction, with no pressure to commit.

Email us at info@canineethics.org
 
 

Ready to take the next step in your professional recognition?

IICE is with you from membership through to assessment and register entry - all in one place.

www.canineethics.org | info@canineethics.org

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