Animal Care and Handling Course

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The NYC Health Code requires that all pet shops or businesses that sell, groom or board cats, dogs or other small animals, must have someone with a Certificate in Animal Care and Handling on duty when the business is open to the public.

This course is offered up to twice a year depending on demand. It is a 12-hour class, held over two six-hour days. Participants who complete the course and are successful at the final examination are then issued a certificate in Animal Care and Handling.

The information on this page is designed to explain how to meet the New York City health code requirement that anyone who is charged with the supervision of a pet shop or business successfully complete a course in animal care and handling. It does not encompass other health-related aspects of owning and operating a pet shop, animal boarding or grooming establishment, nor does it address other requirements.

Taking the Animal Care and Handling course and receiving a certificate for successful completion of the course does not satisfy all of the regulatory requirements of other City and State Agencies. It is the business owner's responsibility to apply for all other permits, licenses, and authorizations required by other City and State Agencies.

$39.00
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Additional Resources
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Health Code Changes Affecting Animals and Animal Businesses

Article 161 of the Health Code: Animals

HEALTH ACADEMY COURSES AND DEPARTMENT FEES

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About
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Description
A valid e-mail address is required if registering online.
There is a $39.00 course fee.

List of accepted payment methods.

  • Certified Check (made payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (accepted only when registering in person)
  • Money Order (made payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (accepted only when registering in person)
  • American Express
  • Discover
  • MasterCard
  • Visa
  • E-Check ( (Accepted only when registering online; must have bank routing number and account number)
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How to Apply
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Description
Go to the NYC Health Academy on the date you selected to attend the course.
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NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DoHMH)
Health Academy
Riverside Health Center
160 W. 100th Street (at Columbus Avenue)
New York
NY
10025
Present a government issued photo ID to the Health Academy before beginning the course
Attend all sessions of the class and take the final examination. Upon successful completion of the exam, you will be issued a certificate.
If you fail the course's final examination you must re-register, pay an additional fee and take the course again.
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After You Apply
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Description
The certification is considered good-for-life and does not expire. The Department may require the holder of such certificate to complete a refresher course acceptable to the Department when the Department finds continuing violations of the Code, or when a zoonotic outbreak implicates animals cared for, treated or held in the establishment she or he supervises, or when the Department requires such course to acquaint him or her with current developments in animal care and handling principles.
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Operating and Renewing
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Description
Access the NYC Department of Health's Online Service Registration system.
Select Health Academy Training Courses and click on Continue.
Register as a user.
Select the Animal Care and Handling course, then select the date and time of the session you wish to attend.
Pay using a credit card, debit card or electronic check (echeck).
You will receive a receipt via e-mail. If you have any payment or registration problems, call 311.
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Ready to Apply?
APPLY ONLINE
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How to Apply
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applyOnline
Go in person to the Citywide Licensing Center to register and pay for the course.
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NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
Licensing Center
42 Broadway, Lobby
New York
NY
10004
onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov
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How to Apply
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applyInPerson
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How to Apply
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applyByMail
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Operating and Renewing
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Additional
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renewOnline
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Operating and Renewing
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Additional
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renewInPerson
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Operating and Renewing
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renewByMail
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DoHMH)
Health Academy
Riverside Health Center
160 W. 100th Street (at Columbus Avenue)
New York
NY
10025
http://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/business/health-academy.page
Health Academy
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About
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Additional
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