Ready to Grow in Your Career?
COMPLEMENTS LOCAL REQUIREMENTS
If your state already has a state issued certification requirement, a NACA Certification is a nice complement to your local requirements.
BUILDS ON GROWTH
Even if your state does not require any form of certification, a NACA Certification can provide you a foundation of knowledge – and “fill in the gaps.”
PROFESSIONAL INVESTMENT
If you’re building your resume in preparation for future career advancement, a NACA Certification can be proof that you are committed to growing in your career.
NACA ACO I COURSE
Your work as an animal care and control officer has never been more important.
ACOs are called to address a range of issues in today’s world: From facing a routine "dogs running at large" complaint, a yard full of blue barrels and tethered dogs, or a family situation where the family pets, children and spouse seem to be at risk, ACOs are problem-solvers on the front lines of some of today’s most challenging situations.
Whether you are a new ACO who needs training, an existing ACO who maybe never received onboarding training and just needs some grounding in the fundamentals, or you are an experienced ACO but could use a refresher, NACA’s ACO I Certification Course has been expanded and updated to bring you the latest information you need to be successful.
Online TRAINING
Designed for the Busy Working Professional
Whether you are new in the field or you’re ready to take the next step in your career, consider investing in your future by earning your NACA ACO I Training and Certification. Your online ACO I Training and Certification Course has been updated to include more than 25 hours of instruction, activities and exercises designed to help you grow and succeed in your role.
EASY TO USE
Convenient and Affordable Training on your own schedule and without the need to travel.
PROFESSIONAL
Taught by experienced investigators, prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and Animal Control Professionals.
PRACTICAL
Courses consist of real-world info important for any new ACO.
grow in your career
Your online ACO I Certification Course is filled with more than 25 hours of instruction, activities and exercises designed to help you grow and succeed in your role.
UNDERSTANDING “THE LINK”
FIELD OPERATIONS I, II, III, IV and V
ANIMAL HEALTH: DISEASE RECOGNITION, CONTROL AND PREVENTION
DANGEROUS DOGS I and II
PROFESSIONALISM & ETHICS
FIRST AID FOR THE ANIMAL CARE PROFESSIONAL
UNDERSTANDING RABIES
ACO CIVIL LIABILITY
BREED IDENTIFICATION & BEHAVIOR
FEDERAL LAWS FOR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
DOG & CAT INTAKE PROCEDURES: MEETING THE NEEDS OF ANIMALS
ANIMAL HANDLING, PERCEPTION & SAFETY
BASIC NUTRITION OF COMMON ANIMALS
MAINTAINING A CLEAN & DISEASE RESISTANT SHELTER
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS
ANIMAL SHELTER OPERATIONS & ADMINISTRATION
ANIMAL SPAYING, NEUTERING, MICROCHIPPING & ADOPTION
SEARCH WARRANTS & AFFIDAVITS
The NACA Certification is designed specifically for working adults in the Animal Care/Control profession.
What’s more: Every lesson in the course has been reviewed by NACA’s training committee consisting of resident experts who are committed to enhancing and growing our profession. So when you go through the lessons, you know you’re hearing expert advice from people you can trust.
Meet Your Instructors
The lessons are taught by some of the industry’s thought leaders – people you might only get to hear at a national conference or read about in industry magazines.
Certification or Continuing Education Credit
The National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA) is the leading professional association committed to growing the level of professionalism in the field on Animal Care and Control. As part of our mission, we are committed to offering working Animal Care professionals the education they need to grow in fulfilling, mission-driven careers that serve both their communities and the animals they care about.
The ACO 1 course, has helped me greatly understand my role in animal control. This course has given me the tools to better serve my community and the animals we serve. This class was so amazing to learn and work through, it made me not want to stop somedays. I would end up doing 3-4 lessons in one sitting, because the class is so interesting and up to date on current animal control topics. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to better myself for my community
The Training I received from the program helped me during the TV Interviewing process, on how to handle the situation I came into contact with and even how to approach the dog. Also, on how to keep the community positive on the situation at hand.
So far, everything is easy to follow. I’ve used everything that has been taught in the field and feel it has helped me grow as an animal control officer. Also, the online classes are so easy to work with my work schedule
I became an animal control officer after working in veterinary medicine for 10 years. The education and training I have received throughout this program has helped make me a well-rounded officer to be able to serve my community in the best way possible. I am looking forward to pursuing other training in order to become the best officer I can be.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much is the Course?
The price is $497 for each student. We do offer a $100 discount for NACA Members. Please contact support for details or go to our online form to request your code.
Do you offer group discounted pricing?
Yes! For agencies who know they will continuously need additional training seats and wish to make a single discounted invoice purchase, we have a convenient “10-Pack” bundle just for you! Our 10 Pack Bundle provides 10 training seats for the discounted price of $2,245 – a savings of $2,725. These can be used as part of your onboarding process throughout the year, to encourage staff to grow and develop in their careers, for promotions, and can be applied to either ACO I or II.
But I Already Work Full-time… Would I Have Time?
We hear you. Only you know about the demands of your job or if you can “juggle” the demands of work, family, and school. That said, online courses are a great way to get the knowledge you need for career growth, without being tied down to a specific schedule, being out of the office for days at a time, or burdened by the expense of high priced tuition or travel costs. Split up into bite sized components, each course section can be completed over a lunch break in a week’s time – sometimes less. And don’t worry: if life gets in the way, you’ll have a whole year to complete the lessons on your own schedule.
Is There a Brochure Describing the Course?
Yes! You can download the brochure here.
What Internet Browsers Can I Use?
We have tested the course using Chrome, Safari, and Microsoft Edge. The Learning Management System does not work well with Firefox.
How Do I Log In?
Once we receive payment (online or check), we will contact you with instructions on how to log in. If you paid online, you should receive an email within five minutes.
How do I pay?
You can pay by credit card or debit card through our online check out.
How do I request a refund?
We are not able to offer refunds on any of our courses. However, if the initially assigned student has not started the course, we may be able to reassign the course to a new person.
What is the Difference Between this Course and the 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 previously available, 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.
How long will I be able to access the training materials?
Students have 12 months from the date of enrollment to complete the course. If you would like to request an extension, please contact us at least two months prior to expiration.
Am I guaranteed a certificate if I enroll in the course?
No. Students are expected to take the course and engage in all the contents in their entirety, including reading all material, watching all videos, and completing the end of lesson quizzes. Such measures will help ensure that each student is adequately prepared to successfully complete the final exam. With the purchase of this course, students can take the final exam a maximum of two times. The time a student spends in each section is recorded, and students who the administration feels, do not demonstrate a good faith effort to complete all required course components, may not be granted additional attempts to take the exam. Additional attempts are at the discretion of the course administrator (NACA and JCH) and may result in additional fees.
