The CCPDT's certification program is the first national certification for dog trainers. Until the creation of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers in 2001, there was no nationally available certification process for dog trainers. Many schools teach dog trainers and offer certification for their specific programs. These certificates, therefore, reflect the teachings and quality of a specific school. Other organizations offer take-home tests for "certification." These tests are not monitored, nor are the testing processes standardized.

The CCPDT administered its first test September 28, 2001, during the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Annual Educational Conference in Ellenville, NY. Since then, the test has been administered three times a year at 17 sites throughout the US. All test sites are professionally secured and moderated by Professional Testing Corporation of New York.

This professional testing program was originally created by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, the largest association of dog trainers in the world. Early on, the APDT recognized the need for certification for its profession. Pet dog trainers needed a credible means of measuring their knowledge and skills and the dog-owning public needed a credible barometer for choosing a trainer.

A task force, of approximately 20 nationally-known dog training professionals and behaviorists, worked for three years to research and develop the comprehensive written examination. The APDT also hired Professional Testing Corporation to ensure the process met professional testing standards. It then created a separate, independent council-the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers-to manage the accreditation and pursue future development.

Candidates who pass the exam earn the title Certified Pet Dog Trainer and may use the designation, "CPDT," after their names. As creators of the examination, the task force members have also earned the use of the CPDT designation. All certified trainers must earn continuing education credits to maintain their designations. They must also adhere to a strict Code of Ethics in their dog training practices.

taken from the CCPDT website