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Thinking of joining us?

We give our members a voice and enable behaviourists to connect, share and solve problems together. Our membership allows access to focused support groups where members share their knowledge and discuss any issues facing behaviourists, whatever their role or membership type. Our members meet and gain insight and support from other, like-minded professionals.

Where are you currently in your journey?

I'm exploring career options

I'm studying animal behaviour

I'm a behaviourist or contributing

What to consider before joining?

The ABT role is ideal for individuals who wish to provide preventative advice to owners, handlers, and co-professionals to help protect against the development of problem behaviours in animals. It also suits those who want to offer behavioural first-aid advice to owners or handlers, aiming to prevent issues from worsening before referring them to a suitably qualified practitioner. Additionally, the role involves implementing behaviour modification plans that have been developed by a Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB) or Veterinary Behaviourist (VB). In practice, this might include a veterinary nurse running puppy parties and offering advice to owners to prevent problem behaviours, a practitioner in a rescue setting providing behavioural first aid to owners of newly adopted dogs before referring them to a local CAB or VB, or a practitioner in private practice working alongside a CAB or VB to implement a behaviour modification plan following an assessment. For a more detailed overview of the Animal Behaviour Technician role, please refer to the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) ABT Standard.

The CAB role is suited to those with an extensive understanding of clinical animal behaviour and the related scientific and clinical literature. It is ideal if you want to assess and evaluate the behaviour of animals displaying all types of undesirable, inappropriate, problematic, or dangerous behaviours, and if you wish to develop effective behaviour modification plans for owners, handlers, or co-professionals caring for the animal. In practice, this might involve a practitioner in private practice who assesses, evaluates, develops, and implements a behaviour modification plan, or a practitioner who assesses, evaluates, and develops a plan before referring to a local Animal Behaviour Technician (ABT) to carry out its implementation. For a more detailed overview of the Clinical Animal Behaviourist role, please refer to the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) CAB Standard.

We offer several types of membership to support behaviourists at any stage of their career, whether you are just beginning your studies or have been practising for years. Our aim is to provide guidance and support for all membership types.

Student membership is available to those who are not yet practising and are currently working towards a relevant animal behaviour qualification at FHEQ Level 3 or above, with the intention of becoming an Animal Behaviour Technician or Clinical Animal Behaviourist.

Please note that the APBC does not support Student members seeing behaviour cases.

Associate membership is open to those who have had their theoretical knowledge assessed against the ABTC Standards for ABT or CAB, either through the ABTC APEL process or by completing an ABTC recognised course.

Associate members can conduct behaviour consultations but have not yet gained the experience required for Full membership.

Full membership is for those who have had both their theoretical knowledge and practical skills assessed against the ABTC Standards for the role of ABT or CAB.

Academic membership is available to individuals recognised for their contributions to animal behaviour through research or positions within teaching institutions or relevant organisations; some Academic members may still see a small number of cases or clients.

If you have extensive practical skills and experience in the pet behaviour industry but have not completed an ABTC recognised course to demonstrate your knowledge, your next step is an APEL assessment.

If you are still unsure which membership type is right for you, our handy flowchart can help you determine the most appropriate next step for your current situation.

Assessment of Prior Experience and Learning (APEL)

To become an Associate member of the APBC, you must demonstrate that you have met the Knowledge and Understanding requirements for either the Animal Behaviour Technician or Clinical Animal Behaviourist role.

If you have not completed a course recognised by the ABTC, you can use the Assessment of Prior Experience and Learning (APEL) process to show that you meet these requirements.

APEL applications should be submitted to the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC), and more information can be found at https://abtc.org.uk/apel/.

If you are unsure how to complete the APEL documentation, you can find examples of completed documents and a helpful Q&A video through the provided links, which offer further guidance on the process and how to fill out the required forms.

Once you have successfully completed the APEL process, you will have demonstrated the necessary Knowledge and Understanding to become an ABT or CAB and can proceed with your application to become an Associate member of the APBC. If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at info@apbc.org.uk.

Before applying for Full membership, practitioners must have their practical skills assessed against the Performance Criteria detailed in the ABTC Standards. If you have already been assessed by another ABTC organisation you can apply directly for APBC Full membership. This will entail an interview before the APBC can accept you as a Full Member.

Useful links

Below you can find useful documentation and links to other areas, like information on our webinars available, keep up to date with the latest news in the industry and find out when our APBC events are being held.