Therapy Animal Certification for Professionals
Show your Specialization with Therapy Animals
Build Your AAI Confidence, Credibility, and Recognition
Become a Certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist (C-AAIS) to set yourself apart as a qualified professional working with therapy animals. Whether you’re just beginning your animal-assisted interventions (AAI) journey or already bringing therapy animals into your daily work, the credential shows your commitment to the highest standards in the field.
To support your preparation, review the C-AAIS Candidate Handbook, which covers certification policies and procedures, and the C-AAIS Practice Analysis, which outline the attitudes, knowledge, and skills needed to do AAI well. These resources will guide you on your path to certification.
The C-AAIS credential signals to colleagues, administrators, clients, and parents that you are committed to the highest standards in animal-assisted interventions and that you’re putting both human and animal welfare first.
Professionals who work with therapy animals deserve a credential that reflects their commitment—C-AAIS is the only certification built with field experts and is backed by a national AAI association.
C-AAIS Candidate Handbook
C-AAIS Practice Analysis
Save with AAAIP Membership
Save $100 off the cost of the C-AAIS with AAAIP Membership. Members also have access to the AAAIP Professional Team Evaluation and can purchase discounted insurance customized to cover work in animal-assisted interventions. AAAIP will set you and your animal partner up for success!
| Regular Price | Digital Members | All-Access Members | Organizational Members | |
| New | $375 | $375 | $275 | $275 |
| Renewing | $275 | $275 | $175 | $175 |
Get Ready for AAI Certification with the C-AAIS Practice Test
No matter where you are in your journey of working with therapy animals, the C-AAIS practice test helps you know exactly where you stand. It’s a helpful, low-stress way to see what areas you’ve mastered and where you might want to brush up before taking the official Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist certification exam.
The C-AAIS exam covers five content domains:
- Animal Welfare and Well-being
- Zoonosis and Infection Prevention
- Animal Behavior Awareness
- AAI Foundations
- Professional Best Practices
Testimonials
Certification Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No, membership isn’t required. If you’re 18 or older and agree to follow our code of conduct, you’re welcome to apply for the C-AAIS exam. AAAIP Membership does offer a $100 discount off the price of the exam.
Not at all. You can earn your C-AAIS whether you already work with an animal, are just getting started, or are planning to partner with a volunteer therapy animal team. We will meet you where you are: you bring the passion, and we’ll help you build the expertise.
AAAIP is here to set you up for success. The C-AAIS exam covers five topic areas: Animal Welfare and Well-being, Zoonosis and Infection Prevention, Animal Behavior Awareness, AAI Foundations and Professional Best Practices. To prepare, review the C-AAIS Candidate Handbook, which covers certification policies and procedures, and the C-AAIS Practice Analysis, which outline the attitudes, knowledge, and skills needed to do AAI well. While coursework isn’t required, many candidates find our self-paced courses helpful.
Just two hours. One session, and then you’re done! The C-AAIS exam is a 125 multiple choice-question, computer-based test. You’ll take it from the comfort of your own space with a live, remote proctor monitoring via webcam. You’ll have one optional break during the two-hour session.
Applying is simple. Complete the online application via our certification system, Prolydian. Once your application and fees have been submitted and processed, you will receive an email with instructions on how to schedule your exam. If you need accommodations for the exam, fill out this form before you schedule it.
We’ll walk you through it! After completing the application, we’ll email you instructions to schedule your exam. You’ll also get a checklist to prepare for your remote, proctored session. Be sure to check your spam or junk folders if you don’t see our email. And if you need accommodations for the exam, fill out this form before you schedule it. For more information, you can also see our Candidate Handbook.
AAAIP All-Access members get significant discounts on the exam fee as well as renewal of their certification. For All-Access Members, the exam costs $275, and renewal every two years costs $175.
For everyone else, the exam costs $375, and renewal every two years costs $275.
You must recertify every two years to maintain active C-AAIS status. To renew your certification, you’ll submit 12 hours of approved continuing education that were completed during your certification and pay your renewal fee.
You’ll have a 45-day grace period after your expiration date. If you miss it, you’ll need to retake the exam to renew, so mark your calendar to make sure your credential stays up to date.