The International Police Canine Association (IPCA) (formerly CNCA) recognizes the value to public safety that is provided by non-law enforcement (LE) Private Sector (PS) employed K9 teams. 

To insure the integrity of the IPCA certification process, Private Sector companies wanting IPCA membership are required to be vetted by IPCA to ensure that they are a bona fide company with all of the required licenses (DEA, ATF, etc.), insurance, and sufficient background checks on for the company wanting membership. After a Private Sector company has been vetted and approved by IPCA, the company must pay an annual Private Sector Membership (PSM) of $500. All of the required documents must be submitted and approved by IPCA PRIOR to the submission of annual IPCA PSM dues.

IPCA relies on the employing agency to conduct background checks on the law enforcement/government agency handlers.  Because IPCA does not have the resources to conduct a background check or vet all Private Sector handler’s, IPCA has elected to have the same requirement as TSA for its Third Party Cargo Screening (3PK) handlers, which is -All handlers must have a TSA Pre Check Known Traveler Number (KTN). A KTN can be obtained through TSA (https://www.tsa.gov/precheck) regardless of type of certification (explosives, narcotics, etc.) the team certifying in. Once a Private Sector Handler application has been submitted and approved by IPCA, the handler may purchase an annual IPCA membership for $95. Private Sector K9 teams are required to purchase the same Certification Application as LE. PS K9 teams (handler and dog) are required to meet the same certification standards as their LE counterparts in all aspects.

If a PS handler’s KTN is suspended, revoked, or expired, their membership to IPCA will also terminate. A PS handler’s membership is subject to the same rules, regulations, and code of conduct requirements as LE membership and may be terminated by the IPCA Board of Directors if deemed not in compliance.

IPCA requires that all members, regardless of LE or PS, maintain the highest integrity and professionalism standards.

EACH AND ANY MEMBERSHIP IS THE SOLE AND SEPARATE PROPERTY OF THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE CANINE ASSOCIATION (IPCA). IPCA RESERVES THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO DENY, AND/OR TERMINATE ANY MEMBERSHIP   WITH OR WITHOUT EXPLANATION FOR CAUSE, AT ANY TIME.

***
DO NOT PURCHASE ANY NON LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMBERSHIPS WITHOUT BEING APPROVED BY IPCA PRIOR
***

PRIVATE SECTOR TEAMS WILL BE ALLOWED TO ATTEND THE SAME TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION EVENTS IF ALLOWED BY THE HOSTING AGENCY.