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Use the shop button to pay for Memberships & Certifications.
Changes to the rulebook August 2024--Effective January 1, 2025
Contraband Dog Certification
All standards for Narcotic Certification apply
K-9 Team must locate at least three (3) out of the four (4) finds to certify. This results in a success of seventy-five (75) percent minimum score for certification. Cellphone and electronic components contraband dogs teams may use an area search in place of vehicles which will consist of an open field approximately 1000’ square feet in size with two (2) finds concealed amongst natural landscape, debris or vegetation and no deeper than six(6) inches buried.
EOD Certification
Adding Gun dog certification to EOD certification: The K-9 Team must complete EOD certification prior to testing on Gun Dog certification and must be done in conjunction with the EOD certification. Search area shall consist of one (1) room with one (1) find in said room. Time for additional substances search shall not exceed five (5) minutes per room . The mandatory odor must consist of a Fired Gun (within the past hour) Additional Odors of: Spent shell casings (3), Gun Oil (1 teaspoon) may be used.
Membership Fees
Membership fees shall be payable and submitted in full with the application for membership.
Membership fees are paid annually.
New members joining on or after October 1st will be considered fees paid for the following year.
Regular Membership $50.00 yearly
Associate Membership $50.00 yearly
Support Membership $250.00 minimum
Corporate Membership $300.00 yearly
Corporate-Individual Fee $ 100.00 yearly
Once the Corporation has paid their yearly fees, each individual with the corporation wishing to be a member, must pay the corporate individual fee, allowing said individual to certify with a canine.
Certification Fees: $ 30.00
(For each certification-per team)
(Must be a paid member)
*All NPCA certifications are valid for 12 months from the date a canine team successfully completes a certification. Certifications are based on one dog and one handler.
Any Regular K9 Team (handler and dog) holding a current Regular K9 membership, may attempt certifications in the profiles they have been trained (Human Concealment exception) and offered by the association. Civilian Handlers employed by a corporation or private company can only attempt certification if their employer is a current corporate member and in good standing with the Association.
September 28, 2023
Effective October 1st, 2023 Narcotic Certification
1. Fentanyl can be added as an additional odor utilizing an approved training aid from the list below.
Precision Explosives – GET-XENT
Effective January 1, 2024
1. No Audio/Video recording allowed during certification. This excludes the staff of NPCA who control NPCA's social media or their designee.
2. Patrol 1 certification: a best practice. A team has successfully passed “ALL” events of NPCA’s patrol certification. Must pass the obedience and courage test, and:
A. Canine team passes both the recall, and the immediate release, and both the area search and building search.
3. Patrol 2 certification: a minimal standard for police service dog teams. Demonstrates a team’s ability to immediately release a bite and find human odor. Must pass the obedience and courage test, and:
A. Canine team fails the recall but passes the immediate release and passes either the area search or the building search.
B. Canine team fails the recall but passes the immediate release and passes both the area and building search.
C. Canine team passes both the recall and the immediate release and passes either the area or building search, but not both.
4. Patrol 3: Must pass the obedience , courage test, and criminal apprehension.
5. Courage Test: The handler must successfully demonstrate a nonverbal physical removal, without the use of an e-collar. Utilizing the collar, leash, bite break or similar device approved by the certifying official.
Handler Protection Certification
6. On Command the canine shall immediately apprehend the decoy.
05-11-2022
**Amendment to Narcotics Certifications**
If an additional odor is missed, you can retest on it, after 5 days. Additional testing fee required.
3-30-2022
***If a Certifying Official/Instructor/Trainer leaves the NPCA in good standing the CO/Instructor/Trainer may be reinstated by submitting a letter to the Standards Committee requesting reinstatement. This letter must include the reason for leaving the NPCA and the reason for asking for reinstatement. The letter will be reviewed by the Standards Committee and a recommendation forwarded to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will then make a final determination on if the requesting members shall be reinstated. The Certifying Official/Instructor/Trainer must review the current rule book and attend a CO class.***
5-28-2021
Narcotics:
Finds:
All finds shall consist of Controlled Substances classified by law.
Two (2) finds shall be concealed in the indoor rooms consisting of two (2) different Controlled Substances classified by Law. The same two (2) Controlled Substances classified by Law shall be concealed in/or on the vehicles.
This completes the narcotic certification process. Any other trained odor will be conducted under the Additional Substances.
2-4-2021
Narcotics: A Narcotics K9 cannot be trained or certified on any EOD or Gun Odors
EOD: Must not have any other scent training or certifications other than Gun.
Wildlife: A Wildlife K9 cannot be trained or certified on any EOD or Gun Odors
Aircraft: An Aircraft K9 must be EOD or Narcotics. It cannot be both
Contraband: A Contraband K9 cannot be trained or certified on any EOD or Gun Odors
Currency: A Currency K9 cannot be trained or certified on any EOD or Gun Odor
Any attempt to intentionally violate stated rules shall result in being excused from certification and or possible expulsion from organization.
Patrol Certification Update:
Certifying Official will direct the handler to about turn, continuing in motion towards the canine. At this time, a shot from a .38 caliber blank gun or the audible equivalent will be fired by a helper who is out of sight and at least one hundred (100) feet and no more than one hundred-fifty (150) feet from the starting
Certifying Official Changes:
Must have a minimum of five (5) years experience in handling and/or training Police Service Dogs in relation to patrol applications (Patrol Official) and scent detection application (Detector Official). During this period, members must have successfully obtained an NPCA Patrol and/or Scent Detection Certificate (in respective field of experience) one (1) time. Applicants must send copies of certificates and proof of experience in K-9 as required for verification.
Or, a minimum of four (4) years experience in handling and/or training Police Service Dogs in relation to respective experience and have successfully completed a minimum of 400 accumulated hours of formal training. Applicant must send a copy of academy or course certificate for verification and must have certified one (1) time in prospective field.
Narcotics Cert Change:
All finds shall not weigh less than seven (7) grams or more than twenty-eight (28) grams.
Explosives Cert Change:
Time on Luggage will now be 6 minutes instead of 12.
Narcotics Cert Change:
All finds shall consist of Controlled Substances classified by law. Two (2) of the finds shall be soft drugs (marijuana) and two finds shall be hard drugs (cocaine or crack cocaine). **For teams not trained in Marijuana, the two marijuana hides will be replaced with two heroin or two meth or two MDMA. If needed marijuana can be put out as an additional odor.**
There is a New Certification: Currency
Corporate Membership Definition Change:
Corporate membership- limited to certification and other specific corporate training.
Rule mandating all 5 phases (area, building search) to be completed with patrol certification.
All phases of the patrol Certification must be attempted and offered by the certification host. Not offering and/or attempting an area search (for instance) because the building search was passed is improper procedure.
Trainers Who Come To The Nationals Specifically For The Purpose Of Attaining Designation Will Not Have Expenses Paid By NPCA.
Certification payments need to be made at time of certification or paid ahead of time and have proof of payment.
Need good email address on applications.
E -collars Worn for Detection except EOD
Certifying Officials conducting Certifications (If costs are to be incurred by NPCA a minimum of 10 certification teams are required.)
Any Certifying Official conducting a certification must contact their Regional Director at least 5 days prior to the event and provide the following:
a) Date, time and location of the certification
b) Certifying Officials names and CO #’s of ALL CO’s assisting in the event
c) What certifications will be offered at the event. (Narc, EOD, Patrol etc…
In addition:
The requesting CO will provide contact information & phone number where they can be reached. This information shall be listed on the NPCA web site for the event if the resources are available.
The requesting CO will ensure that all equipment, locations and training aids meet the requirements established by NPCA certification standards.
The Regional Directors will provide the information to the Administrative Assistant, who will log this information into the NPCA records and issue an official certification number for the event.
The Regional Directors will then provide the requesting CO, with the certification number for the event. NOTE: The certification number must be obtained PRIOR to the certification event. No numbers will be issued after the event. Certifications conducted without a certification number will not be valid.
The Administrative Assistant (AA) shall place the certification event on the NPCA web site so other members seeking certifications in the area can attend if they desire.
a) The AA will track the certification numbers issued to ensure that all of the paperwork is received from the event.
b) The requesting CO will be the point of contact for the AA if any questions should arise from the event.
The requesting CO will notify any participants attending the event, that payment or proof of payment is required at the time of the certification. Special circumstances on payment must be authorized by the Administrative Assistant in advance.
Event certificates will be obtained thru the Regional Director. Additional documents are available at www.npca.net (master score sheets, score sheets certification standards, handler release etc.)
Certification certificates will be given out at the time of the certification event.
The requesting CO will complete the certification paperwork and forward all certification documents and monies from the event to the Administrative Assistant within 30 days of the event.
3-30-2022
***If a Certifying Official/Instructor/Trainer leaves the NPCA in good standing the CO/Instructor/Trainer may be reinstated by submitting a letter to the Standards Committee requesting reinstatement. This letter must include the reason for leaving the NPCA and the reason for asking for reinstatement. The letter will be reviewed by the Standards Committee and a recommendation forwarded to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will then make a final determination on if the requesting members shall be reinstated. The Certifying Official/Instructor/Trainer must review the current rule book and attend a CO class.***
5-28-2021
Narcotics:
Finds:
All finds shall consist of Controlled Substances classified by law.
Two (2) finds shall be concealed in the indoor rooms consisting of two (2) different Controlled Substances classified by Law. The same two (2) Controlled Substances classified by Law shall be concealed in/or on the vehicles.
This completes the narcotic certification process. Any other trained odor will be conducted under the Additional Substances.
2-4-2021
Narcotics: A Narcotics K9 cannot be trained or certified on any EOD or Gun Odors
EOD: Must not have any other scent training or certifications other than Gun.
Wildlife: A Wildlife K9 cannot be trained or certified on any EOD or Gun Odors
Aircraft: An Aircraft K9 must be EOD or Narcotics. It cannot be both
Contraband: A Contraband K9 cannot be trained or certified on any EOD or Gun Odors
Currency: A Currency K9 cannot be trained or certified on any EOD or Gun Odor
Any attempt to intentionally violate stated rules shall result in being excused from certification and or possible expulsion from organization.
Patrol Certification Update:
Certifying Official will direct the handler to about turn, continuing in motion towards the canine. At this time, a shot from a .38 caliber blank gun or the audible equivalent will be fired by a helper who is out of sight and at least one hundred (100) feet and no more than one hundred-fifty (150) feet from the starting
Certifying Official Changes:
Must have a minimum of five (5) years experience in handling and/or training Police Service Dogs in relation to patrol applications (Patrol Official) and scent detection application (Detector Official). During this period, members must have successfully obtained an NPCA Patrol and/or Scent Detection Certificate (in respective field of experience) one (1) time. Applicants must send copies of certificates and proof of experience in K-9 as required for verification.
Or, a minimum of four (4) years experience in handling and/or training Police Service Dogs in relation to respective experience and have successfully completed a minimum of 400 accumulated hours of formal training. Applicant must send a copy of academy or course certificate for verification and must have certified one (1) time in prospective field.
Narcotics Cert Change:
All finds shall not weigh less than seven (7) grams or more than twenty-eight (28) grams.
Explosives Cert Change:
Time on Luggage will now be 6 minutes instead of 12.
Narcotics Cert Change:
All finds shall consist of Controlled Substances classified by law. Two (2) of the finds shall be soft drugs (marijuana) and two finds shall be hard drugs (cocaine or crack cocaine). **For teams not trained in Marijuana, the two marijuana hides will be replaced with two heroin or two meth or two MDMA. If needed marijuana can be put out as an additional odor.**
There is a New Certification: Currency
Corporate Membership Definition Change:
Corporate membership- limited to certification and other specific corporate training.
Rule mandating all 5 phases (area, building search) to be completed with patrol certification.
All phases of the patrol Certification must be attempted and offered by the certification host. Not offering and/or attempting an area search (for instance) because the building search was passed is improper procedure.
Trainers Who Come To The Nationals Specifically For The Purpose Of Attaining Designation Will Not Have Expenses Paid By NPCA.
Certification payments need to be made at time of certification or paid ahead of time and have proof of payment.
Need good email address on applications.
E -collars Worn for Detection except EOD
Certifying Officials conducting Certifications (If costs are to be incurred by NPCA a minimum of 10 certification teams are required.)
Any Certifying Official conducting a certification must contact their Regional Director at least 5 days prior to the event and provide the following:
a) Date, time and location of the certification
b) Certifying Officials names and CO #’s of ALL CO’s assisting in the event
c) What certifications will be offered at the event. (Narc, EOD, Patrol etc…
In addition:
The requesting CO will provide contact information & phone number where they can be reached. This information shall be listed on the NPCA web site for the event if the resources are available.
The requesting CO will ensure that all equipment, locations and training aids meet the requirements established by NPCA certification standards.
The Regional Directors will provide the information to the Administrative Assistant, who will log this information into the NPCA records and issue an official certification number for the event.
The Regional Directors will then provide the requesting CO, with the certification number for the event. NOTE: The certification number must be obtained PRIOR to the certification event. No numbers will be issued after the event. Certifications conducted without a certification number will not be valid.
The Administrative Assistant (AA) shall place the certification event on the NPCA web site so other members seeking certifications in the area can attend if they desire.
a) The AA will track the certification numbers issued to ensure that all of the paperwork is received from the event.
b) The requesting CO will be the point of contact for the AA if any questions should arise from the event.
The requesting CO will notify any participants attending the event, that payment or proof of payment is required at the time of the certification. Special circumstances on payment must be authorized by the Administrative Assistant in advance.
Event certificates will be obtained thru the Regional Director. Additional documents are available at www.npca.net (master score sheets, score sheets certification standards, handler release etc.)
Certification certificates will be given out at the time of the certification event.
The requesting CO will complete the certification paperwork and forward all certification documents and monies from the event to the Administrative Assistant within 30 days of the event.
3-30-2022
***If a Certifying Official/Instructor/Trainer leaves the NPCA in good standing the CO/Instructor/Trainer may be reinstated by submitting a letter to the Standards Committee requesting reinstatement. This letter must include the reason for leaving the NPCA and the reason for asking for reinstatement. The letter will be reviewed by the Standards Committee and a recommendation forwarded to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will then make a final determination on if the requesting members shall be reinstated. The Certifying Official/Instructor/Trainer must review the current rule book and attend a CO class.***
5-28-2021
Narcotics:
Finds:
All finds shall consist of Controlled Substances classified by law.
Two (2) finds shall be concealed in the indoor rooms consisting of two (2) different Controlled Substances classified by Law. The same two (2) Controlled Substances classified by Law shall be concealed in/or on the vehicles.
This completes the narcotic certification process. Any other trained odor will be conducted under the Additional Substances.
2-4-2021
Narcotics: A Narcotics K9 cannot be trained or certified on any EOD or Gun Odors
EOD: Must not have any other scent training or certifications other than Gun.
Wildlife: A Wildlife K9 cannot be trained or certified on any EOD or Gun Odors
Aircraft: An Aircraft K9 must be EOD or Narcotics. It cannot be both
Contraband: A Contraband K9 cannot be trained or certified on any EOD or Gun Odors
Currency: A Currency K9 cannot be trained or certified on any EOD or Gun Odor
Any attempt to intentionally violate stated rules shall result in being excused from certification and or possible expulsion from organization.
Patrol Certification Update:
Certifying Official will direct the handler to about turn, continuing in motion towards the canine. At this time, a shot from a .38 caliber blank gun or the audible equivalent will be fired by a helper who is out of sight and at least one hundred (100) feet and no more than one hundred-fifty (150) feet from the starting
Certifying Official Changes:
Must have a minimum of five (5) years experience in handling and/or training Police Service Dogs in relation to patrol applications (Patrol Official) and scent detection application (Detector Official). During this period, members must have successfully obtained an NPCA Patrol and/or Scent Detection Certificate (in respective field of experience) one (1) time. Applicants must send copies of certificates and proof of experience in K-9 as required for verification.
Or, a minimum of four (4) years experience in handling and/or training Police Service Dogs in relation to respective experience and have successfully completed a minimum of 400 accumulated hours of formal training. Applicant must send a copy of academy or course certificate for verification and must have certified one (1) time in prospective field.
Narcotics Cert Change:
All finds shall not weigh less than seven (7) grams or more than twenty-eight (28) grams.
Explosives Cert Change:
Time on Luggage will now be 6 minutes instead of 12.
Narcotics Cert Change:
All finds shall consist of Controlled Substances classified by law. Two (2) of the finds shall be soft drugs (marijuana) and two finds shall be hard drugs (cocaine or crack cocaine). **For teams not trained in Marijuana, the two marijuana hides will be replaced with two heroin or two meth or two MDMA. If needed marijuana can be put out as an additional odor.**
There is a New Certification: Currency
Corporate Membership Definition Change:
Corporate membership- limited to certification and other specific corporate training.
Rule mandating all 5 phases (area, building search) to be completed with patrol certification.
All phases of the patrol Certification must be attempted and offered by the certification host. Not offering and/or attempting an area search (for instance) because the building search was passed is improper procedure.
Trainers Who Come To The Nationals Specifically For The Purpose Of Attaining Designation Will Not Have Expenses Paid By NPCA.
Certification payments need to be made at time of certification or paid ahead of time and have proof of payment.
Need good email address on applications.
E -collars Worn for Detection except EOD
Certifying Officials conducting Certifications (If costs are to be incurred by NPCA a minimum of 10 certification teams are required.)
Any Certifying Official conducting a certification must contact their Regional Director at least 5 days prior to the event and provide the following:
a) Date, time and location of the certification
b) Certifying Officials names and CO #’s of ALL CO’s assisting in the event
c) What certifications will be offered at the event. (Narc, EOD, Patrol etc…
In addition:
The requesting CO will provide contact information & phone number where they can be reached. This information shall be listed on the NPCA web site for the event if the resources are available.
The requesting CO will ensure that all equipment, locations and training aids meet the requirements established by NPCA certification standards.
The Regional Directors will provide the information to the Administrative Assistant, who will log this information into the NPCA records and issue an official certification number for the event.
The Regional Directors will then provide the requesting CO, with the certification number for the event. NOTE: The certification number must be obtained PRIOR to the certification event. No numbers will be issued after the event. Certifications conducted without a certification number will not be valid.
The Administrative Assistant (AA) shall place the certification event on the NPCA web site so other members seeking certifications in the area can attend if they desire.
a) The AA will track the certification numbers issued to ensure that all of the paperwork is received from the event.
b) The requesting CO will be the point of contact for the AA if any questions should arise from the event.
The requesting CO will notify any participants attending the event, that payment or proof of payment is required at the time of the certification. Special circumstances on payment must be authorized by the Administrative Assistant in advance.
Event certificates will be obtained thru the Regional Director. Additional documents are available at www.npca.net (master score sheets, score sheets certification standards, handler release etc.)
Certification certificates will be given out at the time of the certification event.
The requesting CO will complete the certification paperwork and forward all certification documents and monies from the event to the Administrative Assistant within 30 days of the event.