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Why CCAB Certification is not an ABTC Assessment Organisation
19th December 2023

CCAB Certification (formerly ASAB Accreditation) is disappointed that incorrect information continues to be communicated regarding our departure from the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC).

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ASAB Accreditation negotiated with the ABTC for a period of 6 months to try and agree terms that would enable us to uphold the standards originally set by ASAB Accreditation and remain an ABTC Assessing Organisation (AO). ASAB Accreditation made the decision not to proceed with its ABTC AO renewal application because the ABTC refused to allow us to maintain the standards that we had previously operated under, which exceeded those required by the ABTC. The ABTC cited their UKAS application as the reason for this change.

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Clinical animal behaviour is a relatively new and rapidly developing field, and CCAB Certification believe that practitioners should be clinically competent and have the cognitive, analytical and evaluation skills required to critically assess both research and practice. For these reasons Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) applicants must have:

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  • The equivalent of a 2:1 classification in a level 6 qualification, or higher, for attainment of most of the theoretical knowledge required to practice as a CCAB (Pre-Certification). The 2:1 requirement does not apply to veterinary degrees as these do not have classifications.

  • A proven high level of research literacy, demonstrated by completion of a research project, and critical evaluation skills.

  • Extensive practical experience, gained since attaining the theoretical knowledge, evidenced by leading on a minimum of 20 cases in the candidate’s chosen species.

  • Evidence that those cases cover the behavioural presentations deemed essential to demonstrating clinical competence in the candidate’s chosen species.

  • A clinical skills assessment (viva and practical assessment) for each species for which they wish to be listed on the CCAB register.

 

While ASAB Accreditation recognised that it was important for many prospective candidates to achieve their CCAB through ASAB Accreditation and be on the ABTC register, retaining the above requirements was essential to protecting the high standards expected of CCABs.

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Changes introduced by the ABTC would also have meant that ASAB Accreditation would have had to automatically accept Pre-Certification applications from applicants who had completed courses recognised by the ABTC, but not by ASAB Accreditation. This would have made it impossible to ensure the applicant had met ASAB Accreditation’s academic requirements. Furthermore, ASAB Accreditation would have been forced to automatically accept applications from candidates who had met the ATBC’s theoretical knowledge requirements through experience alone, rather than through academic qualifications.

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While negotiations were ongoing, ASAB Accreditation’s AO renewal application was being processed by an ABTC sub-committee. ASAB Accreditation submitted the same information that the ABTC had previously accepted (e.g. relating to assessor training and standardisation). At the time ASAB Accreditation decided to withdraw as an ABTC AO, the renewal application with the ABTC sub-committee was unfinished.

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Accurate and up-to-date information regarding CCAB Certification, its requirements and processes can be found here on our website.. The Applicants tab of the website also includes a useful FAQ section. Additional questions, or questions relating to an individual’s application, can be sent via email to info@ccab.uk.

Bristol University's BSc in Veterinary Nursing and Companion Animal Behaviour tops the Guardian University Guide 2024!
14th September 2023

Fantastic news from the University of Bristol! Their BSc in Veterinary Nursing and Companion Animal Behaviour has been rated No.1 in the UK in the Guardian University guide 2024! The course is accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and validated by CCAB Certification Limited as fulfilling the academic requirements for accreditation as a CCAB. 

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The University will next year celebrate 25 years running Veterinary Nursing programmes. The Veterinary Nursing with Companion Animal Behaviour BSc began in 2018.

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Programme Director Gemma Irwin-Porter said: “As a team we’ve worked incredibly hard to develop this bespoke Veterinary Nursing programme, which is combined with an accredited behaviour element.

“It’s fantastic to see that hard work resulting in a really positive student experience and some inspiring graduate destinations."

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For information about other CCAB Certification Ltd Validated courses, please see here.

CCAB Certification Ltd. re-launched
19th April 2023

We are pleased to announce the relaunch of our independent CCAB accreditation organisation under the new name of CCAB Certification Ltd. (formerly operating as ASAB (Accreditation) Ltd.). 

Maintenance of the current CCAB register, assessment of future CCABs and validation of courses as meeting the knowledge and understanding required for CCAB will now all be managed by CCAB Certification Ltd. Current requirements and standards are unchanged. 

 

Clinical animal behaviour is a relatively new and rapidly developing field, and we believe that practitioners should have the cognitive, analytical and evaluation skills required to critically assess both research and practice. CCAB Certification Ltd. will therefore continue to be committed to supporting those applicants who would like to meet the agreed theoretical knowledge required for a CAB via formal academic study, and to ensuring that accreditation by us and the post nominal CCAB is clearly a reflection the holder has achieved this. We also remain committed to enabling applicants to meet the theoretical knowledge required via formal academic study taken outside of our validated courses using our mapping process. 

 

Until recently, applicants who met the CCAB standard were able to apply for inclusion on the ABTC CAB register via the practitioner organisation of their choice by virtue of ASAB Accreditation’s role as an ABTC Assessment Organisation (AO). In order to remain as an ABTC AO changes would have had to be made to the standard and methods of CCAB Assessment. After much consideration, it has been decided that the CCAB assessment process will remain unchanged. In order to protect the CCAB standard, we have therefore decided not to pursue ABTC AO membership. Following extensive negotiation, the ABTC have confirmed to us that current CCABs who are members of a practitioner organisation will remain on the ABTC register (subject to meeting all their renewal requirements) and that they do not want any applicant who is part way through their CCAB journey to be disadvantaged. Individuals seeking guidance on their individual situation are advised to approach the ABTC directly. 

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