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THE QUALIFICATIONS

Three professional routes.
Defined by the work you perform.

SRAS qualifications are awarded to named individuals. Each route reflects a different degree of responsibility, practical competence and production experience. Every qualification is recorded with a professional role and species scope. An SRAS title must not be used outside that recorded scope. SRAS is an independent private professional qualification scheme. SRAS qualifications are not currently regulated by Ofqual and do not replace statutory licences, legal duties or production-specific competence checks.

THREE ROUTES, DEFINED RESPONSIBILITIES

Choose the route that matches your current responsibility

SRAS Approved — Foundation Handler: for assistants, owner-handlers and developing practitioners working within defined limits or supervision. SRAS Assessed — Animal Trainer or Handler: for active professionals demonstrating applied competence within a recorded role and animal scope. SRAS Certified — Senior Animal Trainer or Coordinator: for experienced individual practitioners responsible for complex animal work, teams, planning and higher-risk decisions.
You do not automatically begin at the Foundation Route. Select the route that reflects the work you currently perform and the evidence you can provide. SRAS may recommend a different route following eligibility review.

REQUIREMENT

FOUNDATION LEVEL
SRAS Approved

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
SRAS Assessed

SENIOR LEVEL
SRAS Certified

Who it’s for

Entering the route

Broader professional practice

Senior / established

Depth of assessment

Foundation

Applied & evidence-based

Advanced, reviewed

References required

—

One

Senior referees

Review / interview

—

Where required

Where required

CPD per year

4 hrs (yr 2+)

8 hrs

12 hrs

Application fee

£195

£425

£895

Annual renewal

£95

£165

£295

THE ROUTES IN DETAIL

FOUNDATION ROUTE

SRAS Approved

The Foundation Route for assistants, owner-handlers and developing practitioners who need to demonstrate core knowledge of production conduct, animal welfare and safe working.

FEE

£195 application · £95 annual

WHO IT IS FOR

Assistants, owner-handlers and developing practitioners working within defined limits or supervision. This route does not represent independent senior trainer competence.

WHAT IT SHOWS

The holder has completed the Foundation Route requirements. Their SRAS record defines the professional role, animal scope and supervision or working limits that apply.

WHAT THE ROUTE INCLUDES

  • Identity verification and right-to-work check
  • Signed declaration and Code of Conduct
  • Foundation learning route
  • Foundation assessment
  • Basic professional background summary

KEEPING IT ACTIVE

Annual renewal, continued compliance, and 4 hrs CPD from year two onward.

APPLY AT THIS LEVEL
WHAT THE LEARNING COVERS

PROFESSIONAL ROUTE

SRAS Assessed

The Professional Route for independent animal trainers or handlers who can provide verified production-work evidence and demonstrate applied competence within a recorded role and animal scope.

FEE

£425 application · £165 annual

WHO IT IS FOR

Independent animal trainers or handlers working within the professional role and animal scope recorded by SRAS.

WHAT IT SHOWS

That the holder has met SRAS requirements for applied knowledge, evidence of practice and wider professional responsibility at the Assessed level.

WHAT THE ROUTE INCLUDES

  • Everything required at foundation level, where relevant
  • Evidence of relevant production experience
  • One professional reference
  • Intermediate learning route
  • Case-based written responses
  • Any further review required by SRAS

KEEPING IT ACTIVE

Annual renewal, continued compliance, and 8 hrs CPD each year.

APPLY AT THIS LEVEL
WHAT THE LEARNING COVERS

SENIOR ROUTE

SRAS Certified

The Senior Route for experienced individual practitioners able to provide a substantial verified portfolio and demonstrate responsibility for complex animal work, teams, planning and higher-risk decisions.

FEE

£895 application · £295 annual

WHO IT IS FOR

Senior animal trainers or animal coordinators undertaking complex animal-work roles in production. The qualification belongs to the named individual, not their employer or business.

WHAT IT SHOWS

That the holder has met the evidence and review requirements set by SRAS for its Certified route. Productions should use this status as one part of proportionate due diligence, alongside role-specific, legal, welfare and safety checks.

WHAT THE ROUTE INCLUDES

  • Advanced evidence pack
  • Senior references from active work
  • Structured review by SRAS
  • Interview or panel review, where required
  • Any further checks SRAS reasonably requires

KEEPING IT ACTIVE

Annual renewal, continued compliance, 12 hrs CPD each year, and a reflective practice update or equivalent declaration.

APPLY AT THIS LEVEL
WHAT THE LEARNING COVERS

ACTIVE STATUS

Award and current status are recorded separately.

The qualification award records that the candidate passed the applicable SRAS assessment. Active status confirms that the holder remains registered, compliant and current. A person whose active status has lapsed must not describe themselves as currently registered with SRAS.

NOT SURE WHICH ROUTE IS RIGHT?

Ask the SRAS office before you apply.

REQUEST GUIDANCE