Certified Pet Crematory Operator Program (CPCO)

 

Use the links above to register online.

​Or, click here to fill out a registration form to email/mail/fax back to CANA Headquarters with your payment.

THE IAOPCC/CANA ONLINE CERTIFIED PET CREMATORY OPERATOR PROGRAM

In this increasingly competitive and litigious environment, possessing qualifications that set you apart from the rest of the industry is critical. Participation in the IAOPCC/CANA Certified Pet Crematory Operator Program (CPCO) assures the public that organizations are committed to safe pet cremation practices and that the utmost respect and care is a priority. Utilizing the core standards set forth in the IAOPCC’s Accreditation Program, the industry’s only accreditation program, the class addresses major topic areas such as an overview of the pet cremation process, equipment and operations, and standards and ethics.  This self-paced and highly interactive online class is available for registration at any time, allowing learners to complete the course on their schedule and from the convenience of their office or home on any device.

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why attend?

You will gain extensive knowledge—technical, scientific, and legal—all of which is proactive prevention for future business problems. The class addresses major topic areas such as an overview of the flame and water cremation process, equipment and operations, the cremation process in detail, chain of custody, reducing legal risk, and environmental issues related to cremation. A detailed manual is also provided for use during class and serves as an important reference tool. Taught by industry experts, this program provides death care professionals of all backgrounds and levels of experience a thorough knowledge of the practices and procedures that will help reduce the risk of litigation.

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COURSE FORMAT

The course is offered as either an in-person course or as an online course.

The in-person course consists of six hours of classroom instruction delivered in one day (check the event calendar for upcoming courses) and a final exam. The final exam is completed within two weeks of attending the in-person session.

The online course consists of six hours of online instruction and a final exam. The course is self-paced; each time you log off, your last location will be bookmarked so you can resume where you left off the next time you log in. You have 90 days to complete the course once you begin. ​

Demo the Online CPCO! Try some exercises, get a feel for the format, and get a taste of the curriculum.

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SOFTWARE/HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS FOR TAKING THE ONLINE COURSE

1. Sound capabilities (for listening to videos and narration)

​2. Browser
     Desktop Browsers: the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox or Safari
     Mobile Browsers: the latest version of Safari (Apple) or Google Chrome (Apple, Android)
     Browser Settings: JavaScript must be enabled; font downloads must be enabled
     Screen Readers: latest version of JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack

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FEES (ONLINE AND IN-PERSON)

CANA/IAOPCC* Member Employees: $495
*IAOPCC members will need to log in to the IAOPCC member portal to access a coupon code that is used at checkout to receive the member price.

Nonmembers: $595

what's included

• ​The complete Certified Pet Crematory Operator Program course.
• CPCO Manual, provided at check-in for in-person participants or as a download for online participants.
• Digital Crematory Operator Certificate and Badge, emailed after successful completion of all course requirements. Certificates are valid for five (5) years. To renew certification, you will need to take the course again.

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WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO BECOME CANA CERTIFIED?

​In order to receive a Crematory Operator Certificate from CANA/IAOPCC, participants of this course are required to:

1. complete all six (6) course modules, and;
2. receive a score of 80% or better on the final examination.

​​Whether you take the in-person course or the online version, the certification test will be completed through CANA Education Online. You will have three (3) attempts to receive a passing score. A print copy of the test is provided at the back of the manual for study purposes; however, the questions and choices are randomized when delivered online.

Your Crematory Operator Certificate and digital badge are emailed at the end of the month in which you pass your examination.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the prerequisites for taking this course?

There are no pre-requisite requirements for taking this class; anyone may register. If you have never worked in this industry before however, you may not be as successful. This class assumes a basic understanding of pet death care, especially cremation, and the content is taught as if all attendees are already working in the industry or have jobs in a crematory.

How long is the Crematory Operator Certificate valid?

Certificates are valid for five (5) years from the date of the course. To renew a certificate, you will need to attend the course again.

I lost my certificate/my name changed/my employer changed. Can I get a new certificate?

During the five year validity of a certificate, a replacement copy can be requested due to loss or change in information. Certificates can only be mailed, not emailed. Expired certificates will not be reissued.

Will I be able to operate a cremator after taking this class?

We do not teach how to physically operate a cremator in this class. This training complements on-the-job training and machine-specific training you might receive. Each piece of equipment is different, and your employer and/or manufacturer will provide training on specific equipment.

Will I be able to get a job as a crematory operator/technician after taking this class?

​There are many factors that contribute to your success in attaining a crematory operator job. It is routine for employers to conduct background checks, talk to references, and interview you. In addition, you will need to contact the regulatory board in your state to determine what their requirements are for crematory operators. Each state has their own regulations and requirements. Some require only that certification is taken once, while others require that it be renewed every five years. Employers have their own requirements and expectations as well and these vary widely based on business practices. It is your responsibility to talk to prospective or current employers, as well as regulators, to determine if you should take this course.

I want to open my own pet crematory. Should I take this class?

We recommend you contact the IAOPCC with this question. ​

How do I access my digital certificate?

Your certificate will be emailed directly to you at the email address you provided when you registered. From that link, you can download a pdf to print from your home or office.

In addition to your certificate, you'll receive a badge that you can showcase on your social media profile, website or resume.

Read on for more ideas on making your digital badge and certificate work for you!

For more information, or questions, please contact Donna at [email protected].

 

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CURRICULUM

This course presents material in a series of modules. They are as follows:

Module 1: Overview of the cremation process

The classroom training will start with an overview of the cremation process by introducing basic terminology and process flow.

​​Learning Outcomes
​At the end of this module, participants should be able to:

1. Define cremation.
2. Distinguish between commonly used terms.
3. Summarize the overall process of cremation from the time a dead body is received until cremated remains are returned to the family.

Module 2: Equipment and operations

The equipment and operations module will cover the science and control of combustion, common components and features, safety and PPE, and maintenance.

Learning Outcomes
​At the end of this module, participants should be able to:

1. Describe the process of combustion, including the inputs and outputs, and how to control the rate.
2. Name the common components of a cremator, and briefly explain their purpose.
3. Describe the importance of temperature control.
4. Identify the cremator components that require regular maintenance.
5. List the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that should be worn when operating a cremator.

module 3: The cremation process in detail

A detailed discussion of the cremation process will address receiving remains, preparation for cremation, handling special cases, and the steps of the process itself.

​​Learning Outcomes
​At the end of this module, participants should be able to:

1. Explain the key processes and steps in the receiving, preparing, recovering and processing of remains.

Module 4: Chain of custody

Documentation is key and this module will cover different types of forms and documents used, address the risk of liability and common errors, and then cover the documentation related to the receiving, tracking and return of remains.

Learning Outcomes
​At the end of this module, participants should be able to:

1. Identify and use the proper forms for documenting chain of custody.

Module 5: Reducing legal risk

Aside from chain of custody, there are other important areas to focus on to reduce legal risk. This section addresses operations, staff training, compliance, handling regulatory investigations, and third party crematory considerations.

​Learning Outcomes
​At the end of this module, participants should be able to:

1. Describe additional ways that a business can minimize legal risk.

Module 6: Tying it all together

To wrap up the day, attendees will work in small groups to analyze several “what would you do?” scenarios, to identify the correct and incorrect actions, all based on the discussions of the day.

Final Exam

​​The final exam will consist of 50 questions covering all six (6) modules. The test will be taken online, allows 3 attempts for a passing score, and is open book.

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The CPCO is offered in-person once each year at the annual IAOPCC Conference, usually held in September. The location changes each year.