Certification -Narcotics

Narcotic Certification Standards

Section 1: TYPE OF NARCOTICS TO BE USED FOR CERTIFICATION

All K-9s must find Marijuana, Cocaine, Crack, Heroin and Meth to certify. Other narcotics are optional to the certifying agent. The type of narcotic is to be determined prior to the test. All hides will be 10 grams to 56 grams. There will be at least one (1) hide of each odor in each "hot" location. One of each in a building and one of each on or in an automobile. There will also be one blank room, and one blank auto.

YOU MUST USE REAL DRUGS IN EACH CERTIFICATION. PSEUDO-SCENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED!!

Section 2: ALERTS

Each handler is responsible for notifying the judges of the type of alert (aggressive or passive) the judge can expect from the K-9.

Section 3: TIME

There will be a time limit of fifteen (15) minutes for each narcotic venue. The K-9 will be allowed a rest period of 15 minutes, then will resume the searches on the automobile or building.

Section 4: SEARCH AREA

The search area will consist of a separate room for each odor, as well as separate vehicles for each odor. At least one of the vehicles must be blank (contain no narcotic odor). Proofing odors will be hidden in the search areas, and will be marked as so. Hitting on proofing odors will be an automatic fail. (Clean tennis balls, perfumes, etc.)  The decision of what to use will be up to the certifying agent. The handler will not watch the test of other teams prior to taking the test. The handler will not know the location of ANY of the hides.

Section 5: QUALIFICATION OF A K-9 HANDLER TO BE CERTIFIED

The handler shall be a law enforcement agent and employed by a law Department and/or an employee of a private security, investigative or detection service licensed within the state they are located in. If the handler is with a private company, they must have no less than 80 hours of K-9 Narcotic Detection Training covering K-9 laws and K-9 handling. If the handler is with a Law Enforcement agency, they must have completed a formal handler school to qualify for this certification. The handler and K-9 will be certified as a team. If the dog that attends certification is assigned to a new handler, the certification is void. If the handler changes dogs, the certification is void.

Section 5: Re-Certification

After successfully certifying on narcotics the K-9 and handler must re-certify every year.

If a K-9 should fail the certification, the K-9 and handler must wait a minimum of two weeks before trying to certify again

It is the handler's responsibility to locate a certifying official and set the time, date and travel arrangements for re-certification.