ARDA Standards
The ARDA Standards are currently undergoing a massive revision. While this revised document will still contain the minimum requirements and criteria for ARDA member unit certification, it will ensure that all standards are NIMS compliant and will include testing and certification criteria for individuals in ARDA member units.
ARDA's current K9 Wilderness/Area Search Assessments (in order):
- Open Field Assessment [77 KB] PDF
- Trail Assessment [78 KB] PDF
- Light Brush Assessment [79 KB] PDF
- Dense Brush Assessment [79 KB] PDF
- Night Assessment [77 KB] PDF
- Agility Assessment [64 KB] PDF
- Obedience Assessment [32 KB] PDF
- Wilderness Area Search Evaluation [76 KB] PDF
NOTE: The above list does not included additional (optional) Handler evaluations/tests such as NIMS Courses, Navigation, Search Strategy & Scent Theory.
ARDA's current canine certification standards include the following disciplines:
- Area (Wilderness) Search
- Human Remains Detection
- Disaster Human Remains Detection
- Water Recovery
Please follow the links below for the Area Search, Human Remains Detection, Mass Fatality Canine Search, and Water Search standards. These standards replace their equivalents as stated in the ARDA Unit Standards dated March 2004.
Area (Wilderness) Search Evaluation (June 2008)
Human Remains Detection Evaluation (June 2008)
Mass Fatality Canine Search Evaluation (May 2007)
ARDA Water Search Evaluation (June 2008)
**ARDA recognizes the FEMA Foundation Skills Assessment and/or Certification Evaluation for disaster search.