Registration is open2026 Fall Training & Certification Seminar ↗
UPWDA — United Police Work Dog Association
Accreditation pathway

Become a UPWDA Trainer or Master Trainer.

UPWDA Trainer and Master Trainer accreditation recognizes experienced canine professionals who meet the Association’s membership, experience, documentation, and committee-review requirements.

Application submission

Send completed applications to Paul Orcutt.

All Trainer and Master Trainer accreditation applications must be emailed to Paul Orcutt, Accreditation Committee Chairman.

Applications and accreditation questions

accreditation@upwda.org

Submit the complete package at least 60 days before the next Accreditation Committee meeting. Incomplete or late packages will not be considered at that meeting.

01 / Master Trainer

Master Trainer requirements.

Requirements amended October 12, 2021.

  1. 01Be a regular UPWDA member in good standing.
  2. 02Be qualified and experienced in every discipline requested, with dogs trained to UPWDA testing standards.
  3. 03UPWDA Trainers seeking Master Trainer status must have held UPWDA Trainer accreditation for at least three years.
  4. 04Meet the law-enforcement canine experience requirement: generally two years as a full-time agency handler or trainer, with the stated retired-officer and agency-trainer equivalents considered.
  5. 05Provide recommendations from two UPWDA Master Trainers accredited in the requested disciplines.
  6. 06Submit the complete package at least 60 days before the next Accreditation Committee meeting and complete the oral and written interview process.
02 / Trainer

Trainer requirements.

Requirements amended October 12, 2021.

  1. 01Be a regular UPWDA member in good standing.
  2. 02Document at least two years of qualifying law-enforcement canine handler or trainer experience, or an applicable equivalent.
  3. 03Provide a recommendation from one UPWDA Master Trainer accredited in each discipline requested.
  4. 04Demonstrate that canines trained meet UPWDA testing standards.
  5. 05Submit a complete application package at least 60 days before the next Accreditation Committee meeting.
  6. 06Pass the written and oral review before the Accreditation Committee.
03 / Application package

Prepare a complete application.

The Committee Chairman reviews each package for completeness before it can be considered.

  1. 01A current résumé with employment dates, position, duties, practical police-canine experience, time as a handler and trainer, dogs trained, and applicable certificates.
  2. 02A signed authorization allowing employment information to be verified.
  3. 03The required Master Trainer recommendation letter or letters.
  4. 04All applicable critique sheets.
  5. 05A letter explaining the reason for seeking accreditation.
  6. 06The applicant’s curriculum, a list of teams trained or assisted, and a current photograph.
Accreditation Committee

Reviewed by an experienced team.

Paul Orcutt leads the Accreditation Committee responsible for reviewing applicants and administering the accreditation process.

  • 01Paul Orcutt — Chairman
  • 02Caleb Owens
  • 03Alberto Ortiz
  • 04James Ljunggren
  • 05Tim Baird
Maintaining accreditation

Accreditation carries ongoing responsibilities.

New Trainers serve a two-year probationary period. Accreditation remains valid while the member stays in good standing and active, including attendance at one UPWDA-sanctioned workshop each year.

The Accreditation Committee may require an appearance for renewal or in response to a complaint and may temporarily suspend privileges pending review. Accreditation may be revoked for just cause following investigation and a hearing.

Current Trainers must provide the required annual résumé update by January 31 and confirm that it was received.