As the Board continues to finalize the development of the new certification policies and procedures, the Board wishes to encourage members to take some time to review the Code of Ethics and Practice Guidelines, all of which can be accessed on the website.  In concert with the new certification protocols, these documents will ensure that qualified professionals with integrity are always the centerpiece of IAABC.  Recently the Board has received inquiries about the parameters of the following Ethics sections.

8.5            Animal behavior consultants list only bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from recognized accredited colleges and universities, as described below.

8.6            Animal behavior consultants correct, wherever possible, false, misleading, or inaccurate information and representations made by others concerning the consultant’s qualifications, services, or products.

8.7            In representing their educational qualifications, animal behavior consultants list and claim as evidence only those earned degrees: (a) from institutions accredited by regional accreditation sources recognized by the United States Department of Education, (b) from institutions recognized by states or provinces that license or certify animal behavior consultants, or (c) from equivalent foreign institutions

The Board addressed this issue at its retreat in September and after exhaustive research and review of laws reaffirmed its earlier decision to include in these sections only degrees from institutions that are accredited by accreditation organizations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or equivalent foreign agencies/organizations. On its website the USDE indicates why this form of accreditation is so important: “The U.S. Secretary of Education recognizes those agencies determined to be reliable authorities as to the quality of education or training provided by the institutions of higher education and the higher education programs they accredit. Accreditation of an institution or program by a recognized accrediting agency provides a reasonable assurance of quality and acceptance by employers of diplomas and degrees.”

The Board believes firmly that consistency in standards, both external ones such as educational degrees and internal ones such as the new certification procedures are musts in accurately representing credentials to the public.  The Board does not intend to diminish the value of learning opportunities that might have taken place in institutional settings and certainly permits members to disseminate descriptions of those experiences in peer and customer interactions.  Yet, those have not been scrutinized by independent recognized accrediting bodies and are therefore not appropriate as listed degrees by IAABC members. 

The Board and Ethic Committee welcome any inquiries about the Guidelines and Code of Ethics. The Board hopes though that this will clarify past inquiries and that corrections of educational qualifications will be made by members, as appropriate. 

The Board and Ethics Committee reaffirm their commitment to IAABC members and believe that observance of the principles outlined above supports and protects IAABC members and the profession of animal behavior consulting.

IAABC Board of Directors

Posted November 12, 2005