Frequently Asked Questions for Instructor Program

The core of the program is the Instructor Course, which includes:

• • 8 live online training days
    Attendees are required to attend all eight days live and actively participate in discussions, exercises and Q&A with their cameras and microphones on
    
  • Delivered over two course weekends (Segment One + Segment Two)
    • Segment 1: (4 days — usually Friday through Monday)
    • Segment 2: (Another 4 days (Friday through Monday) at a later date)
      These segments are often separated by 4-5 months to allow instructors-in-training time to apply concepts in practice, reflect, and begin fulfilling the course requirements
  • Typically hosted via Zoom and Google Classroom platforms

Course Submissions & Certification Requirements
In addition to attending the 8 course days live, participants will need to complete and submit the following in order to be eligible for final certification:

• Fill out and sign the Instructor Agreement
• Résumé or Bio
  Must be uploaded before the first day of your instructor course.
  
• Acquired Learning Strand
  Documentation of classes you have taken with a CNWI/ANWI/PNWI (Intro to K9NW/Exteriors/Vehicles/Odor classes).
• Applied Instructing Strand
  Documentation of classes you have taught ( (Intro to K9NW/Exteriors/Vehicles/Odor classes)
• Video Recordings
  Videos of your instruction in Intro to K9 Nose Work/Exteriors/Vehicles/Odor classes showing teaching approach and application.
• Instructor Evaluations (online form)
  Feedback from a minimum of four (4) students you’ve taught in Intro to K9 Nose Work
• Training/Hours Log
  A log of your teaching, training and other nose work-related hours, including pre-course and post-course activity.
  
• ORT or ORT alternative
  Some form of ORT documentation — typically your dog’s ORT title or an approved alternative.
  
• Exams
  Mid-term exam after segment 1 and final exam after segment 2 (open book, multiple choice)

Participants will have two years from day one of Segment one to finalize certification. 

Course registrants will receive more detailed information about the requirements once the course starts.

The instructor course is currently taught online via the Zoom and Google Classroom Platforms. 

The most important requirement to enter the course is a passion for learning from the dog, a commitment to and understanding of the concepts that are the backbone of the K9 Nose Work® training principles and a desire to become an dedicated instructor for both the human and dog student.

Having a basic understanding of the foundational components of K9 Nose Work® is recommended.

A: Please submit your request at the Instructor Course Contact Form. You will receive additional details about the course.  If, after reviewing them, you would like to be added to the early notification/wait list for the next course, there will be instructions in the details on how to do that.  You will also receive announcements via Constant Contact about future courses.

The course currently costs $2,500.00 USD. This includes 8 live course days as well as guidance and support throughout the certification process. You will also receive access to instructor-only resources, like our comprehensive instructor manual, trademarked logos, instructor-only facebook page, access to a CNWI mentor (if requested) and instructor-only webinars.
The course fee must be paid in full at the time of registration in order to save your spot.

We don’t advertise our course dates publicly. We do announce them via Constant Contact to those who’ve inquired about our instructor course. To receive the announcements, please submit a request at the Instructor Course Contact Form. You may need to periodically check your spam folder, as announcements occasionally end up there.

The course runs from 9:00 am to approximately 5:00 pm Pacific Time for each of the 8 course days, with breaks and a lunch hour.

Yes, we welcome participants from all countries.

Yes.
You will also receive a comprehensive instructor manual with class curricula, handouts, etc.
In addition, we have a mentorship program for our instructors-in-training.

Each weekend covers various aspects of the K9 Nose Work® program and general scent work understanding. Segment Two builds on Segment One. Exact curriculum timelines can vary from course to course.

Below is a basic outline of the course.

SEGMENT 1:

Introduction, foundation philosophy of K9 Nose Work
What is K9 Nose Work, its history, and key concepts. Understanding how the foundational methodology applies to the overall process for instructors

Introduction to K9 Nose Work
How to start dogs in K9 Nose Work on primary (food/toy), why we start the way we do, and how to run classes.

Introduction to Odor
How to introduce target odor to the equation in a class setting

Behavior Considerations for the K9 Nose Work Class Environment
A rudimentary review of behavior as applicable to running K9NW classes and interacting with dogs in class

Introduction to Vehicles & Exteriors
Half of day will be vehicles, and half will be exteriors. How to introduce the concepts of other elements both for primary and target odor.

SEGMENT 2:

 Learn From the Dog
A precursor to understanding hide placement. This day reviews how/why learning from the dog is critical in setting hide and making the necessary adjustments for the various stages of learning in the dog.

 Hide Placement
Discussion of types of hides, training considerations.  Students will make hide placements plans in their breakout groups and see some of those searches run by dogs through video. Analysis and strategy of hide placement techniques will be discussed.

 Skill Building
Skill building focuses other topics related to more advanced training and techniques including thresholds, patterns, multiple hides, elevation, inaccessible hides and final response training.

 Competition
Instructors are familiarized with NACSW competition, competition training in general, and how to prepare students.

The Landis Memorial Scholarship was created in 2025 to recognize and support aspiring Certified Nose Work Instructors who show a passion and commitment to making a difference in the nose work community, specifically with reactive dogs and their humans. Click here for more info.

Not at this time.

We offer CNWIs 6 CEUs for each full day of course attendance.  In addition, CNWIs (as well as PNWIs and ANWIs) get a reduced registration rate of $100/day, when they revisit the course (one day or more).

• PNWI℠ – Prospective Nose Work Instructor
  • Has attended Segment One (day 1-4) of the course.
• ANWI℠ – Associate Nose Work Instructor
  • Has attended Segment One (day 1-4) and Segment 2 (day 5-8) of the course, passed the midterm exam and has successfully submitted the Intro to K9 Nose Work Talk and Working Dogs videos.
• CNWI℠ – Certified Nose Work Instructor
  • Has successfully completed the full course and fulfilled all certification requirements.
  • CNWIs are required to submit 24 CEUs and pay a small recertification fee every 2 years, in order to maintain their status.

Day 1 of Segment 1: Marks the beginning of your “certification clock”.

Completion Window: You have up to 2 years from the first day of Segment 1 to submit all requirements and finalize your CNWI certification.

This two-year window gives you flexibility to:

• Teach classes to build your applied instructing strand
• Complete your acquired learning strand
• Collect evaluations from your students
• Assemble videos of classes you have taught
• Submit ORT or ORT equivalent
• Compile your training/hours log

It’s typical to complete this within ~1–2 years, depending on your previous experience and how actively you are teaching and accruing experience.

Attending the instructor course and becoming a certified nose work instructor offers benefits that go well beyond just adding credentials to your name!

• 8 live course days with the co-founders of K9 Nose Work and NACSW Jill Marie O’Brien and Amy Herot
• Access to instructor-only materials, e. g. instructor manual, trademarked logos, CNWI mentors, instructor-only facebook group, instructor-only continuing education, etc., while you are an instructor in good standing (PNWI/ANWI/CNWI)
• Listing in our Instructor Directory

Credibility and Professional Opportunities
Certification provides:

• Recognition within the nose work community
• Networking opportunities with other instructors
• Increased trust from students and clients
• Opportunities to teach classes, workshops, or seminars

Connection to a Larger Community
We also connect you to:

• Other instructors and mentors
• Continuing education opportunities
• A shared standard of training philosophy

Ability to Teach (Not Just Handle)
Being a good handler doesn’t automatically make someone a good instructor. Our certification program emphasizes:

• Clear communication with students
• Structuring classes for different skill levels
• Coaching humans, not just training dogs

Stronger Training Skills (and Better Outcomes)
You learn how to:

• • Build searches with purpose
  • Progress skills systematically
  • Troubleshoot problems without creating new ones
  • Improve your problem-solving skills
  • Refine your observation and timing skills

Yes.  In order to maintain your CNWI certification status, you are required to submit a recertification fee (currently $75.00) and complete 24 CEUs every two years.  This is to ensure that your instructors stay current on their continuing education.

We understand that sometimes life can get busy or throws you a curveball.
If you cannot fulfill the course requirements in the 2-year time limit, you have the option to apply for a one-time only 6-month extension for a fee.  We may waive the extension fee in case of hardship, provided you have made an effort to submit as many requirements as possible before requesting an extension.

We strongly recommend that you review the submission guidelines and start working on the requirements – especially the videos – as soon as you have completed segment 1, to ensure that your material can be reviewed and approved in a timely manner.  If submissions does not meet our requirements, you will be asked to send us more information, redo the videos, etc., which will take extra time.  All requirement submissions will need to have been approved by the Submissions Dept. before being granted CNWI status.

If you do not complete the program and you let your status as PNWI or ANWI lapse, you also have the option to apply for reinstatement, which is more involved and will require you to revisit (parts of) the course, pay a reinstatement fee, etc.