[IATCB] News and updates for July 2022

News from the Board

Congratulations to Jayne Hardwick who is now the Vice President and Kelly Garrison who is now the Secretary/Treasurer of IATCB.

Our Board has grown! We have added three new general members. Please welcome Marco Wendt, Kimm Hunt and our first international board member Nicky Plaskitt. Marco joins us with AZA zoo animal background, Kimm joins us with a pet behavior emphasis and Nicky is our international representative to give IATCB a broader base. Welcome to all of you, each of you will add interesting and valuable ideas and perspectives to IATCB.

Certificant Highlight

We would love to highlight you or your facility in our newsletter and on our Facebook page. We want to see what you have been up to so please share your successes and let us know the amazing things that you are doing to help raise the bar! Send us a photo and a brief description of what you have been trying. Contact Kelly Garrison at kelly.garrison@accgov.com or Amy Robinson at beanelib@yahoo.com for more information. We’ve had some new members join so just a reminder this group is a safe space to ask questions about your current training, get advice and discuss or share your successes!

Want to find out more about setting these types of standards within your facility or becoming certified? Contact the IATCB board by visiting our website!

2022 Testing Dates

*Applications will not be accepted after 11:59pm Eastern on this date

Mark your calendars, the next application deadline is September 14, 2022. Our testing company, PTC has partnered with Prometric for Computer-Based Testing. Learn More here. With Prometrics there are no additional International Testing fees!!

Are you a Hopeful Certificant? 

Looking for the study guide for the CPAT- KA exam? Click here

Looking for the study guide for the CPBT- KA exam? Click here

Already certified?

The CPBT-KA and CPAT-KA credential is valid for 5 years from the date it is awarded. To renew the credential a certificant must either re-take the examination after 5 years or accumulate sixty Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) by attending IATCB approved workshops, seminars, classes, or conferences.   Head over to here to check out a list of approved CEUs!

Please note that all CEUs MUST be claimed with two (2) months of the event, submissions will not be accepted after this period.

New Board Member Spotlight:

Meet Marco:

For nearly 25 years, Marco has been part of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance family. During his career, he has worked in wildlife care and behavior with an incredible array of avian species, from cassowaries and old world vultures, to raptors, macaws, cranes, flamingoes—and everything in between. Conservation education and a desire to protect nature’s flora and fauna led him to become an ambassador and spokesperson for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Giving a voice to wildlife and sharing his passion for wildlife conservation is of the utmost importance to Marco as he aligns himself with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliances vision—a world where all life thrives. Being a person of color, Marco is grateful and proud to have a platform to present his Latinx and LGBTQIA+ communities as he strives for diversity, equity, and inclusion for all. Marco volunteers for the International Outreach Committee of the American Association of Zoo Keepers’ San Diego Chapter, serves as an ambassador for Intertwined Conservation Corporation, and is a mentor for the Big Brother Big Sister of America program.  Behavior is a crucial and beneficial component to our work in wildlife care and management, and these tools can be applied in a variety of different fields and experiences throughout one's life.  I hope to inspire and equip future wildlife care staff to help them thrive in their professional and personal lives.  

The International Avian Trainers Certification Board and the International Animal Trainers Certification Board, IATCB, offers you a way to gain professional credibility, increase your earnings potential, and advance your career. We live in a competitive world, and animal trainers are no different than anyone else looking for advanced knowledge and skill in their profession. IATCB endorses voluntary certification by examination for all professionals involved with animals, including trainers, educators, handlers, veterinarians, and all others involved in the care and handling of animals.