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Letter from the President: The CAWA Beta Exam Is Open Now Through June 30

January 20, 2025, Jim Tedford

The Association’s President & CEO shares how the only credential of its kind has gotten even stronger

Dear Colleagues,

If you are a leader in our field, or are working toward it, becoming accredited as a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) is an important milestone. As of this writing there are 298 professionals who currently hold the CAWA designation—myself included. Those four letters represent the highest level of knowledge and understanding—and the only credential available specific to animal welfare.

And in 2024, the credential got even stronger. We tapped dozens of leaders in our field to lend their time and talent to the process of reviewing and revising the CAWA exam to best reflect the skills and knowledge base required to excel in our ever-changing field.  Revisions included an emphasis on our work outside the shelter and in the communities served, as well as a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, both within the shelter and our profession as well as in our spheres of influence.

Now that all the foundational work for the new test has been done, it’s YOUR turn. Between now and June 30, anyone eligible for the CAWA exam has an option to take the previous or the revised exam. We are seeking 100 real live candidates to beta-test the new exam. Once about 100 candidates take this exam, the scores will be psychometrically verified before the exam moves from beta stage to final stage. This process may take several months, so it will be some time before candidates receive their score and pass/fail status. To thank you for your patience during this waiting period, the beta exam fee will be 50% off.

Please visit our website to learn more and apply for the CAWA beta exam.

Jim

 

 

 

 

 

About Jim Tedford
Jim Tedford, CAWA, is President and CEO of The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement.

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