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UPWDA — United Police Work Dog Association
Official certification resources

Certification disciplines.

Find the current testing requirements and the documents taking effect January 1, 2027, together under each discipline. Refer to the applicable complete PDF before testing.

Through December 31, 2026, use the current certification testing requirements. The updated requirements take effect January 1, 2027.

14 / Certification disciplines

Field standards.
Ready when you are.

Each discipline shows the current document first, followed by the updated document effective January 1, 2027. The overviews are quick references; use the complete PDF for the applicable date.

Certification change control

Request a Change to Certification Testing Requirements

UPWDA maintains a formal change-control process for its certification testing requirements. Proposed changes must be submitted through the official request form for review and approval. Submission of a request does not modify an existing certification requirement unless and until the change is formally approved and implemented by UPWDA.

Submit a change request
Patrol / Utility

Patrol / Utility Certifications

01Official discipline

Obedience

Current requirements

Through December 31, 2026

UPWDA Obedience Certification

The Obedience Certification Test is used to determine the police service dog's ability and proficiency in performing off-lead obedience exercises, as well as the handler's total control of his or her K9. K9 teams must obtain Obedience Certification prior to testing for Aggression Control Certification.

View current requirements PDF

Effective January 1, 2027

  • Conducted off lead through heeling, walking, and distance phases on a pass/fail basis.
  • Includes pace changes, turns, stays, recalls, position changes, and control at distances of 25–50 feet.
  • Includes four rounds of blank gunfire; the dog must neither aggress toward the handler nor flee.
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02Official discipline

Controlled Aggression

Current requirements

Through December 31, 2026

UPWDA Aggression Control Certification

The Aggression Control Certification Test is used to determine the police service dog's ability, proficiency, and courage, as well as the handler's control of his or her K9. K9 teams must obtain Aggression Control Certification prior to testing for Building Search and/or Area Search Certification.

View current requirements PDF

Effective January 1, 2027

  • Tests the handler's functional control of the K9 during off-lead apprehension scenarios that simulate official-duty conditions.
  • Includes a recall after the K9 has traveled at least half the distance toward a visible decoy positioned 30 or more yards away, followed by a second apprehension send.
  • The handler must achieve a verbal release within three commands and maintain a sit- or down-stay during the simulated pat-down without additional engagement.
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05Official discipline

Tracking / Trailing

Current requirements

Through December 31, 2026

UPWDA Tracking/Trailing Certification

The Tracking/Trailing Certification Test is designed to test the K9 team's ability to follow human scent (rafts) on grass, gravel, pavement, and similar surfaces.

View current requirements PDF

Effective January 1, 2027

  • Uses a 30-minute-old track or trail measuring one-quarter mile.
  • The handler receives only an approximate start area and must cast the dog to locate the exact starting point.
  • Includes at least two 45° turns, a fresh cross-track, at least two surface types, and a water crossing when available.
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06Official discipline

Article Search

Current requirements

Through December 31, 2026

UPWDA Article Search Certification

The Article Search Certification Test is used to determine the K9 team's ability to find an unknown object in an open area. The K9 must alert to human scent on the hidden articles.

View current requirements PDF

Effective January 1, 2027

  • Three unknown everyday items are placed in a 50-by-50-foot area, preferably where vegetation or terrain can conceal them.
  • Items sit for approximately 10 minutes, and the dog must give a positive indication when locating human-scented objects.
  • The team must find at least two of three items; the search may be on or off leash while remaining under handler control.
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Additional disciplines

Additional Certifications

07Official discipline

Narcotics Detection

Current requirements

Through December 31, 2026

UPWDA Narcotics Certification

The Narcotics Certification Test is used to determine the K9 team's ability and reliability to detect narcotic odors. This test is based on a pass or fail basis.

View current requirements PDF

Effective January 1, 2027

  • Tests at least three phases: vehicles, buildings, and a Master Trainer-selected container, luggage, locker, or open-area phase.
  • Uses agency-relevant narcotic odors, at least five grams per odor, a minimum 20-minute setup, and no pseudo narcotics.
  • Each trained odor must be tested in every phase; one miss is permitted under the document's odor-specific retest rules.
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08Official discipline

Explosive Detection

Current requirements

Through December 31, 2026

UPWDA Explosives Certification

The K9 team should be able to locate all explosive training aids within a two meter radius of the source, without disturbing the source, regardless of the height of the source.

View current requirements PDF

Effective January 1, 2027

  • Includes an Odor Recognition Assessment and an Operational Search Assessment using seven mandatory base odors.
  • Odor recognition uses at least 21 identical unmarked containers with target, control, distractor, and blank samples; all target odors must be located.
  • Operational testing includes rooms, vehicles, baggage, and an open area, with explosive aids set at least 30 minutes before testing.
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09Official discipline

Kennel Master

Current requirements

Through December 31, 2026

UPWDA Kennel Master Certification

Kennel Masters successfully completing certification testing in a specific phase will be issued a certificate that will be valid for a period of five years from the date of issue.

View current requirements PDF

Effective January 1, 2027

  • Combines a written test with three practical field tests: obedience, patrol, and detection.
  • A score of at least 75% is required on the written test, and each practical phase is pass/fail.
  • Each phase allows 15 minutes and evaluates the candidate's ability to teach, demonstrate safe techniques, and assess handlers.
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10Official discipline

Kinetic / Static Firearm Detection

Current requirements

Through December 31, 2026

Kinetic/Static Firearm Detection Dog Certification

This is a 30-minute search, with a minimum of one training aid, a moving target, and you are allowed zero misses and zero false responses.

View current requirements PDF

Effective January 1, 2027

  • Requires a social, non-aggressive dog able to work near crowds and function in chaotic, noisy environments.
  • Kinetic testing includes mandatory checkpoint and traverse searches with zero misses and zero false responses.
  • Static testing covers an open area, a multi-room building, and lockers or bags using mandatory unloaded handgun and long-gun aids.
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11Official discipline

Kinetic Explosive Detection

Current requirements

Through December 31, 2026

Kinetic Explosive Detection Dog Certification

A prerequisite prior to certification is to ensure that the canine is not people aggressive, the canine is social, and has the ability to tolerate crowds and be in close proximity to patrons.

View current requirements PDF

Effective January 1, 2027

  • Requires prior Explosive Detection Dog certification plus suitability for close work in crowds and intense environments.
  • Includes a 30-minute checkpoint search and a 20-minute traverse search, each with at least one target and zero misses or false responses.
  • The concealed aid must contain at least one pound of explosive material and receive at least 30 minutes of set time on the decoy or carried item.
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12Official discipline

Human Remains

Current requirements

Through December 31, 2026

Human Remains Certification

This test is to determine the team's ability to detect the presence of human remains.

View current requirements PDF

Effective January 1, 2027

  • May be certified on land, water, or a combination; testing uses actual human tissue and bone, never pseudo aids.
  • Each option requires four total finds across at least two search areas, with bone and tissue requirements specified by test type.
  • No more than two false responses and one miss are allowed; alerting on the required animal-remains distractor is a failure.
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13Official discipline

Wastewater Detection

Current requirements

Through December 31, 2026

Wastewater Detection Certification

It is recognized that increased search time, endurance, and proficiency of wastewater detection canine teams are necessary for deployment and future training requirements. Programs should include this in their training protocols.

View current requirements PDF

Effective January 1, 2027

  • Uses 10 scent lines containing diluted, non-diluted, and GETXENT-tube wastewater aids, with at least five blank lines.
  • Teams receive two productive passes per scent line; the dog must hold a passive response at source for 4–6 seconds.
  • The team may miss no more than one wastewater aid across testing, with distractors and contamination-control procedures required.
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14Official discipline

Live Find Air Scent

Current requirements

Through December 31, 2026

Live Find Air Scent Certification

This certification is open to any UPWDA member who is a civilian or police, fire, or emergency management canine handler that wishes to become a certified SAR K9 team.

View current requirements PDF

Effective January 1, 2027

  • Uses a site new to both dog and handler, unknown victims, and a simulated scenario requiring a stated operational search strategy.
  • Minimum search area is 40 acres and minimum victim set time is one hour; randomly selected scenarios may include up to two victims.
  • Evaluates K9-assisted finds, sociability, stamina, recognizable alerts, and off-lead operational control including recall, stay, sit/down, and toy release.
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Document notice

Discipline overviews are provided for convenience. Always consult the complete document that applies on the testing date before administering or preparing for a test.

Review general certification standards →