Ready to Grow in Your Career?
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.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, consider investing in your future by earning your Basic ACO Certification
Why Do I Need a NACA Certification?
There are many reasons why you might want to go through the NACA Certification courses.
- star If your state already has a state-issued certification requirement, a NACA Certification is a nice complement to your local requirements, and could serve as fulfillment of CEU requirements.
- star 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.”
- star 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 professional skills and knowledge.
What's Included?
Your online Basic ACO Certification Course is filled with more than 20 hours of instruction, activities and exercises designed to help you grow and succeed in your role.
Designed for the busy working professional, each lesson is divided into 5-10 bite sized “topics” that can be completed in 10-20 minutes each. Every week you’ll receive access to the next lesson in the course’s series.
Understanding “The Link”
Basic Investigations Part I
Basic Investigations Part II
Animal Health: Disease Recognition, Control and Prevention
Dangerous Dogs Part I
Dangerous Dogs Part II
Professionalism & Ethics
First Aid for the Animal Care Professional
ACO Civil Liability
Breed Identification & Behavior
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
Communications & Public Relations
Search Warrants & Affidavits
Federal Laws for Controlled Substances
Yeah, But What Are the Lessons Like?
A video lesson to begin your learning.
With additional content such as review material, interactive exercises or memorable quotes to reinforce your learning.
We often include inset boxes to help you connect the dots between the various lessons you are taking, and occasional “Pro Tips” your instructors are sharing to help make your job just a little bit easier …
... And all along the way, we share reminders to apply what you’re learning to your own agency.
As an added bonus, from time to time you’ll even see additional resources, white papers, or other related webinars listed – just in case you’re inspired to learn more about a given topic.
We also include little “Knowledge Checks” along the way to help reinforce what you need to know for each Lesson’s final quiz (5-10 questions).
These questions also help you to prepare for your cumulative, end of course final certification exam.
But don’t stress: We do these intermediate steps so that nothing on the quizzes, or the final exam, are ever a surprise. We want you to succeed!
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.
“Our instructors are folks who have been there. They’ve seen what ACOs and those in Law Enforcement are facing and are able to help prepare you to be successful in your career.” Scott Giacoppo, NACA President
Our subject matter experts include investigators, prosecutors, NACA Board Members and Leadership, and a range of Animal Control Professionals from across the US to share their first-hand experience and expertise to help you be successful.
Our instructors include:
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.
Can’t Wait to Get Started?What Do I Do If I Have Questions or Troubles?
We get it: If you’re used to learning strictly in a classroom environment, online learning might be a little scary at first.
But know that whether it’s a technical support issue or a question about something an instructor has said in a video, we’re here to help ensure you feel confident in your knowledge and development.
Here is a link to a handy list of Frequently Asked Questions - but don't hesitate to reach out if your question is not answered.
What is the Difference Between this OnLine Course and the 40-Hour 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 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.
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 (and certification) 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.
The NACA Certification is designed specifically for working adults in the Animal Care/Control profession. Split up into bite sized components, each lesson 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.
What People Are Saying about This?
All of our instructors and contributors are not just experts in their own fields – they’re seasoned and experienced speakers and trainers.
Here’s just a few things that have been said about your instructors.
“I just enjoyed learning something new. Adam Leath was a great speaker!”
Nicholas
“Great information that challenges how you look at managing people and situations.”
Jason
“I was able to connect a lot of the ideas back to what I have experienced.”
Judy
“This has been on my ‘to do’ list for a long time – I am super excited to use the examples!”
Amy
“This was outstanding. Will be working to influence adoption of similar practices in my county.”
Paula
“Emotional Intelligence for ACOs was great to put into perspective the emotional challenges Law enforcement and animal services communities struggle with. Great presentation!”
LeighAnne
“Great Information, as ACO’s we need to look inside ourselves to understand how & why we react. I believe this topic is very informative & for our own safety and gives us more tools.”
Carrie
“How to prosecute animal cruelty cases in a manner that it sticks. Researching the Judge on their views and prior rulings on animal cruelty cases. Michelle Welch is amazing!!!!”
Marchelle
Sounds Great! So…. How much?
Our first-year introductory pricing for the NACA ACO is $397. People who complete the entire course and all of the required End of Lesson quizzes, homework, etc will receive a Certificate of Completion issued by NACA*.
Students who wish to sit for a final, online proctored exam to become a NACA Certified Animal Control Officer (Basic I)* will pay an additional $50 to cover the cost of the online proctor.
Current NACA Individual Members are eligible to receive a $100 off coupon - contact [email protected] for details.
Ready to Get Started?And What’s Included in That?
You get a lot for your tuition. In addition to all of the course instruction and materials, you receive
- 1-year Justice Clearinghouse individual membership ($119 value)
- 1-year access to the online Basic ACO Certification Course and all materials ($595 value) to allow you plenty of time to complete the work and really LEARN the information.
How do I pay?
You can pay by credit card or debit card through our online check out.
Current NACA Individual Members - contact [email protected] to receive a $100 off coupon code.
For agencies paying by Purchase Order, or if your agency is wanting to certify 3 or more people (25% discount), please contact us at [email protected].
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