Behavior Consulting Program

Professional Code of Conduct

KPA Specialist, Canine Behavior (KPA SCB)

Purpose and Scope

This Professional Code of Conduct defines the ethical, professional, and practice standards required of individuals pursuing or holding the KPA Specialist, Canine Behavior (SCB) certification. These standards are intended to protect animal welfare, client safety, public trust, and the integrity of KPA credentials.

Relationship to the Joint Standards of Practice (JSOP)

Karen Pryor Academy is a signatory to the Joint Standards of Practice and Professional Code of Ethics (JSOP/PCE) developed by the Joint Standards of Practice Coalition. The JSOP/PCE establishes minimum, shared professional standards across participating organizations.

This SCB Professional Code of Conduct:

  • Incorporates and aligns with the JSOP/PCE as a minimum standard, and
  • May set additional or higher requirements specific to KPA and the SCB credential

Where this SCB Professional Code of Conduct is more specific or more stringent than the JSOP/PCE, SCB certificants are expected to meet the higher standard.

Agreement to this Code of Conduct is a condition of:

  • Eligibility for the SCB Certification Assessment
  • Award of the SCB credential
  • Ongoing maintenance of SCB certification

Core Professional Commitments

SCB professionals agree to consult, teach, and train using the force-free principles and techniques that have been taught in the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behavior, Behavior Consulting Program, and always in a manner that is consistent with the KPA approach to behavior change and learning, which include but are not limited to:

Creating a healthy living and working environment that provides for excellent psychological, mental, and physical welfare.

Using thoughtful antecedent arrangements to facilitate behavior change and welfare needs.

Creating behavior change plans that utilize the most positive, least intrusive, effective solutions. This means an emphasis on using positive reinforcement solutions and avoiding punishers as part of a behavior change plan (for example, the use of tools such as shock collars and prong collars is not allowed).

Reading learners’ body language and being responsive to their needs. Our goal is to always work toward reducing stress, fear, and discomfort in our learners.

Creating a nurturing learning environment and a positive relationship with our learners

Creating choice for our learners and giving them agency.

Upholding the following additional practices:

1. Humane, Evidence-Based Practice

  • Use force-free, humane methods grounded in applied behavior science and positive reinforcement
  • Avoid practices that intentionally cause fear, pain, or distress
  • Base professional recommendations on sound evidence, professional judgment, and ethical consideration of risk
  • Abstain from representing training and behavioral information as scientific, unless the information is derived from peer-reviewed and published research

2. Animal Welfare and Client Safety

  • Prioritize the physical and emotional welfare of animals at all times
  • Actively assess and manage risk to animals, clients, and the public
  • Decline or refer cases when safety cannot be reasonably supported
  • To always treat animals and clients respectfully

3. Scope of Practice and Professional Judgment

  • Work within the limits of one’s education, training, and experience
  • Seek consultation, supervision, or referral when cases exceed one’s competence
  • Avoid misrepresentation of expertise or credentials

4. Ethical Case Management

  • Design intervention plans using the least intrusive, most positive effective strategies appropriate to the case
  • Communicate uncertainty, limitations, and potential risks honestly
  • Avoid guarantees of behavioral outcomes

5. Professional Integrity and Communication

  • Represent services, qualifications, and experience truthfully
  • Maintain confidentiality and preserve and respect client privacy
  • Disclose conflicts of interest
  • Interact respectfully and professionally with clients, colleagues, and the public, including online
  • Conduct oneself in a way that upholds the values and principles associated with Karen Pryor Academy

6. Continuing Education and Professional Development

  • Maintain competence through ongoing education and professional development
  • Stay informed about developments in behavior science and ethical practice

Compliance and Accountability

SCB professionals agree to:

  • Comply with applicable laws, regulations, and reporting requirements
  • Cooperate fully with KPA ethics reviews or disciplinary processes
  • Refrain from retaliation against individuals participating in complaint or review processes

Violations and Disciplinary Action

Failure to adhere to this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to:

  • Required remediation or education
  • Suspension of certification
  • Revocation of the SCB credential

KPA retains sole authority to interpret and enforce this Code of Conduct.

Acknowledgment

By applying for, earning, or maintaining the KPA Specialist, Canine Behavior (SCB) certification, individuals acknowledge that they have read, understand, and agree to comply with this Professional Code of Conduct.