GAP Assessor Licence Application

Become a Licensed Assessor for the Gundog Assessment Programme (GAP) and help pet and working gundog handlers recognise their progress through ethical, science-backed and non-coercive training.

A GAP Assessor Licence allows you to assess clients at the levels covered by your approved application. You can promote yourself as GAP Licensed, appear on the GAP website and access resources to support your clients and your business.

Teaching GAP and assessing GAP

Anyone can teach GAP exercises and help clients work towards the programme’s goals. However, clients must be assessed by a Licensed GAP Assessor authorised to assess at the relevant level.

If you would like to assess your own clients or offer assessments to handlers who train elsewhere, you will need an approved GAP Assessor Licence.

What your approved licence includes

Once your application is approved, you will receive:

• A licence to assess at the GAP level or levels approved in your application.
• GAP Licensed status to use when promoting your services.
• A listing on the GAP instructor page of our website.
• Access to the GAP online platform and assessment materials.
• GAP assets to use in your promotions and marketing.
• Access to GAP resources, including handbooks, to share with your clients.

How to apply

1. Check the eligibility criteria below. Make sure you meet a complete eligibility route for the assessment level you are applying for.
2. Select your assessment level and payment option. When you are ready, click the apply here button above. This will take you to our online Moodle platform. You will need to register and then choose the GAP Assessor Application option to complete the payment and application.
3. Upload your supporting documents. Provide evidence of your qualifications, awards and any references required for your chosen route.
4. Your application will be reviewed. Your licence will be granted once the GTA has confirmed that you meet the relevant criteria.
5. If you are unsure whether you meet the criteria, please contact gap@gundogtrainersacademy.co.uk before making payment.

Foundation Assessor: Levels 1 and 2

To apply to assess GAP Levels 1 and 2, you must meet one of the following routes.

Route 1: GTA Accredited Instructor

You are a GTA Accredited Instructor and hold GAP Level 2 or Gundog Club Grade 2, or both.

Route 2: GTA Accredited Foundation Handler

You are a GTA Accredited Foundation Handler and hold GAP Level 2 or Gundog Club Grade 2, or both.

Route 3: ABTC ATI with another organisation

You are an ABTC-registered Animal Training Instructor through another organisation and hold GAP Level 2 or Gundog Club Grade 2, or both.

Route 4: Other qualified dog trainer

You must meet all three requirements:

• • Be a qualified dog trainer through an organisation whose code of practice aligns with GTA/ABTC.
  • Provide a reference from a respected person within the ethical gundog community (such as a GTA Instructor or ABTC-accredited ATI) confirming that you train ethically.
  • Hold GAP Level 2 or Gundog Club Grade 2, or both.

Enhanced Assessor: Levels 3 and 4

To apply to assess GAP Levels 3 and 4, you must meet one of the following routes.

Route 1: GTA Accredited Instructor

You are a GTA Accredited Instructor and hold at least one of the following:

• • GAP Level 4.
  • Gundog Club Grade 4.
  • A GWT award.
  • RKC Working Gundog Certificate on dummies.

Route 2: GTA Accredited Enhanced Handler

You are a GTA Accredited Enhanced Handler and hold at least one of the following:

• • GAP Level 4.
  • Gundog Club Grade 4.
  • A GWT award.
  • RKC Working Gundog Certificate on dummies.

Route 3: ABTC ATI with another organisation

You are an ABTC-registered Animal Training Instructor through another organisation and hold at least one of the following:

• • GAP Level 4.
  • Gundog Club Grade 4.
  • A GWT award.
  • RKC Working Gundog Certificate on dummies.

Graduate Assessor: Levels 5 and 6

To apply to assess GAP Levels 5 and 6, you must meet one of the following routes.

Route 1: GTA Accredited Instructor

You are a GTA Accredited Instructor and hold at least one of the awards listed below.

Route 2: GTA Accredited Graduate Handler

You must meet all three requirements:

• • Be a GTA Accredited Graduate Handler.
  • Provide a reference from a respected person within the shooting community confirming that you have worked a dog on a shoot for a minimum of one season. This could be a gamekeeper, shoot captain or owner, established picker-up, beater or Gun.
  • Hold at least one of the awards listed below.

Route 3: ABTC ATI with another organisation

You must meet all three requirements:

• • Be an ABTC-registered Animal Training Instructor through another organisation.
  • Provide a reference from a respected person within the shooting community confirming that you have worked a dog on a shoot for a minimum of one season. This could be a gamekeeper, shoot captain or owner, established picker-up, beater or Gun.
  • Hold at least one of the awards listed below.

Qualifying awards for Graduate Routes 1, 2 and 3:

• • GAP Level 4.
  • Gundog Club Grade 5, or Grade 4 for HPRs.
  • A field trial award.
  • RKC Working Gundog Certificate on game.

Licence fees

£42 per month in your first year and £17.50 per month going forward.

You will also receive complimentary access to the GTA Online Membership in your first year, worth £504, including written and video tutorials for all the Foundation Level 1 and Level 2 exercises.

Complimentary GTA Online Membership access is for the first year only. Please email members@gundogtrainersacademy.co.uk after enrolling to receive access.

Exclusive pricing for GTA Accredited Instructors

£30 per month in your first year and £12 per month going forward. Pay annually and receive two months on us: £300 in your first year and £120 per year going forward.

This pricing is exclusively available to GTA Accredited Instructors.

Ready to apply?

Please check that you meet the criteria for your chosen assessment level before making payment. You will then need to upload your supporting documents for review.

If you have any questions about your eligibility or the evidence required, email gap@gundogtrainersacademy.co.uk before proceeding.