Certified Canine Rehabilitation Assistant (CCRA) Certification

The CCRA certification is for veterinary assistants who want to add rehabilitation knowledge and skills to their expertise, in order to assist in the care of rehabilitative patients and work effectively with the CCRT and CCRVT/CCRVN as part of a rehabilitation team.

Non-credentialed veterinary assistant:

• Has at least one (1) year of veterinary experience
• Submit a current Letter of Recommendation (LOR) from their rehab-certified supervising veterinarian, physical therapist or occupational therapist.
• This includes professionals with other credentials, such as Physical Therapy Assistants, Athletic Trainers, and Occupational Therapist Assistants (must meet requirements above)
• If your employment status changes, you must pause your progress through our program until you have a current LOR.

The 2025 pricing for the CCRA modules are:

• Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation: $3,349
• Concepts and Therapeutic Exercise for the Rehabilitation Team $4,928

Total for coursework: $8,277

We understand that leaving home to improve your education and skills is a commitment. We have reduced the number of required trips for the in-person portion of each module to only 2 trips, saving time and travel expenses.

Note: The last day of class ends early to allow students the opportunity to return home that evening. Students who do not attend a full day of class will not receive any CE credit hours for that day and may have to return to make up the missing hours. Do not make airline reservations that require you to depart class before 3:00 P.M.

The certification path is the same. Same courses, same requirements, same expectations.

However, the CCRVT/CCRVN certification is for credentialed veterinary technicians and nurses, and the CCRA is for non-credentialed veterinary assistants.

We understand some veterinary practices call veterinary assistants veterinary technicians. Still, if you have not graduated from a formal, two-year veterinary technician training program that bestowed you with the RVT, LVT, CVT, or AHT credentials, you will receive the CCRA certification. This is true for other allied health professionals working within a veterinary practice (Physical Therapy Assistants, Occupational Therapist Assistants, and Athletic Trainers).

CCRAs will work under their local state's Veterinary Medical Practice Act. This will dictate the level of supervision required and what you can and cannot do in practice.

CRI feels that the evaluation and formulation of the treatment plan must be completed by the Rehabilitation Certified Veterinarian, Physical Therapist or Occupational Therapist, and the CCRA assists with executing this plan by completing therapeutic exercises, physical modalities, and client education. It is never appropriate for a veterinary assistant (even if certified in rehabilitation) to evaluate a patient and formulate a treatment plan. This places the rehabilitation professional at risk of malpractice and reduces patient health safety.