Read the requirements below and then apply using the appropriate form:

Click here for Membership Application Form

Application form for CCAB holders  

Click here for a credit card payment form 

FULL MEMBERSHIP

Requirements for full membership:

For Certified Clinic Animal Behaviourists (CCAB):

Current CCABs are encouraged to apply for Full Membership of the APBC using the special application form for CCAB holders.

For non-CCABs:

After March 2014, Full membership will be through certification as a Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) as granted by the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB).

Until March 2014, all other applications for full membership will be assessed by a selection panel which is comprised of eight full members of the APBC.

Requirements for current Provisional members wishing to apply for Full Membership varies depending on date joined as a Provisional – please refer to section describing ASAB CCAB and the APBC agreement and FAQs.

Recent Changes to APBC Full Membership Criteria:

Applications until March 2014 for non-CCABs should take the following form:

• The application must be in English and sponsored by at least one veterinary surgeon in practice. Where the applicant is working in a behavioural therapy capacity in an organisation, the application must be supported by the Director or relevant Department Head. Where the applicant is a veterinary surgeon, the partners or heads of the applicant's practice must sponsor the application. 

• All applicants must show that they have attained a high quality and quantity of relevant work, and all behaviour problem cases must be seen only on referral from veterinary surgeons for the applicant to be considered for membership (unless the applicant is a veterinarian).

• All applicants must possess a profession-specific higher degree, or profession-specific postgraduate qualification.

• All applicants must provide evidence of a viable, professional, insured and accountable behavioural therapy practice of at least one years standing, either independently or an as assistant in an existing APBC member practice.

Important note: From October 2011 the APBC will only accept applications from individuals with a specific degree (level 6) that includes companion animal behaviour, and the category of applicants with a “relevant” degree (previously defined as including psychology, biology, vet nursing, vet science, animal management, animal behaviour, zoology, equine science) has been discontinued from October 2011.  

• Eight copies of a formal letter of application to the APBC should be submitted on headed practice paper to the Honorary Secretary. This must be accompanied by eight copies of:

1. Your CV (to include details of any publications or articles you have written)

2. Four case reports (each to be a different type of problem) *

*Fully explain the aetiology, diagnostic and treatment rationales for each case, with reference to the literature where applicable. Single species applications will be accepted, but if competence in the treatment of more than one species is claimed, the application should reflect that. Click here for further guidelines

Applications will be assessed by a membership Selection Committee, comprised of eight APBC members.

All applications will be considered on an individual basis and are submitted to each selection committee member for assessment. The members of the Selection Committee represent a cross section of the disciplines incorporated in the APBC. If an application is to be successful, it must be approved - unanimously - by all Selection Committee members.

It will take a minimum of one month to process your application. This time may be extended during holiday periods, as your application must be studied by all Selection Committee members before a decision is made.

After careful consideration, the Committee may decide to accept/decline your application at the present time, or may request further information, or suggest a re-application at a later date.

If the applicant is successful, the annual subscription will be due. On receipt, the Honorary Secretary will request full details of the applicant and his/her practice for incorporation into APBC publicity material and for inclusion in published clinic lists.

A mentoring programme is available to provisional members of the APBC who are wishing to apply for full membership.

FEES:

Annual UK Membership fee of £220

New members, and those paying their fee within one calendar month of date of membership renewal, will receive a discount, reducing the fee to £160

Annual Overseas Membership fee of £165/€245/$325 New members, and those paying their fee within one calendar month of date of membership renewal, will receive a discount, reducing the fee to £110/€165/$215

PROVISIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Requirements for provisional membership:

Provisional membership is available for those who have achieved relevant academic accreditation to degree level or higher and are able to conduct behaviour consultations but have not yet achieved the requisite experience to become Full Members.

“Relevant academic accreditation” includes psychology, biology, vet nursing, vet science, animal management, animal behaviour, biology, zoology, equine science (although this is not exclusive and individual applications may be considered by the APBC committee or their nominee).

“Academic accreditation to degree level or higher” means 120 CATS points or equivalent at FHEQ Level 6 or above. An explanation of FHEQ can be found here http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/FHEQ/academicCredit/Academic... Provisional Membership compliments those individuals under the ASAB CCAB scheme undertaking level 2 and 3 supervised experience.

Courses that meet the academic criteria (see above definition) required for Certification as a Clinical Animal Behaviourist at degree level are not yet widely available, but are more available as post graduate study. The APBC is in discussion with the ASAB Accreditation Committee in order to address this incongruity. Until a final decision has been made the current academic requirements for Provisional Membership will apply. Provisional members will ultimately need to fulfil all the CCAB academic criteria to become a Full Member.

Note – New provisional members need to be aware that they must be a provisional member before March 2013 in order to complete 1 year of experience in conducting behaviour consultations before applying for Full Membership before March 2014. 

After March 2013, provisional membership will only be available to those persons wishing to progress in the CCAB scheme. This is because there will not be enough time to complete at least one year of conducting behaviour consultations and submit an application for full membership under the old scheme, before the March 2014 changes to full membership criteria.

Annual fee of £110

New members, and those paying their fee within one calendar month of date of membership renewal, will receive a discount, reducing the fee to £80.

If you are upgrading to provisional membership as a student member, here is the form.

STUDENT MEMBERSHIP

Requirements for Student membership:

Student membership is available for those who are in the process of achieving a relevant qualification starting at FHEQ level 4 or above. Students must note that to progress to provisional and full membership will require accreditation at FHEQ Level 6 or above (Hons Degree or equivalent). Those studying courses that qualify them below this level will need to top up that qualification. Relevant qualifications include psychology, biology, vet nursing, vet science, animal management, animal behaviour, biology, zoology, equine science (although this is not exclusive and individual applications may be considered by the APBC committee or their nominee). An explanation of FHEQ can be found here http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/FHEQ/academicCredit/Academic...

The APBC does not support student members seeing behaviour cases, as they have not completed academic training to the required standard and therefore do not have sufficient knowledge to ensure efficacy, animal welfare standards and due care of the owners seeking help. However, student members are encouraged to undertake level 1 of supervised experience http://asab.nottingham.ac.uk/accred/supervised.php

Note – New student members must be aware that in order to become a Full Member of the APBC in the future they must first become a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist with ASAB. This involves meeting the academic requirements and then completing supervised experience. The APBC can support you through this process. Student Membership can be held for up to a period of eight years before progression to provisional membership.

Annual fee of £60.

New members, and those paying their fee within one calendar month of date of membership renewal, will receive a discount, reducing the fee to £40.

Note: Student Membership applications must be signed by Head of Department and stamped.

ACADEMIC MEMBERSHIP

Requirements for Academic membership:

Academic Membership is open for those not in practice, but who are involved in research in Companion Animal Behaviour. Entry level is a minimum of MSc. Individuals are required to submit a research paper they have published in a relevant animal behaviour peer-reviewed journal or provide confirmation of their position in a research department with their application.

Annual fee of £60.

New members, and those paying their fee within one calendar month of date of membership renewal, will receive a discount, reducing the fee to £40.

Important Dates:

1. After March 2014 APBC will only accept as members CCABs.

2. March 2013: The last date for which anyone with a specific higher degree or post graduate qualification (level 7 or above) can start the required one year of practical experience before applying for APBC membership without CCAB.

3. March 2012: The last date for which anyone with a specific degree (level 6) that includes companion animal behaviour can start the required two years of practical experience before applying for Full APBC membership without CCAB.

4. October 2011: The last date for which anyone with a “relevant” degree (defined as including psychology, biology, vet nursing, vet science, animal management, animal behaviour, zoology, equine science) can apply for Full APBC membership. After Oct 2011 a 'specific degree that includes companion animal behaviour' is required.