The NTA Certification program is a bright spot for the NTA.  Each year the NTA receives numerous requests and questions concerning certification and what it will do for them.  The NTA Certification program is a program that will promote an NTA Certified Taxidermist that is motivated to utilize the certification program to the fullest extent.  We hope this will help you recognize and appreciate the certification program in its entirety as well as the significance of becoming involved.  We welcome your questions; please email NTAHQ@aol.com or Frankietho@aol.com. 
 

How to Become NTA Certified

The NTA Certification program was initiated in 1985, and is entering its 19th year.  The goals of established standards and an image of professionalism within our industry are becoming more evident each year.  For all of you individuals who are certified or looking to be certified, there have been some exciting changes. The yearly renewal dues have been reduced from $50.00 to $20.00.  The $50.00 fee will remain in effect for new certification only.  The program is self-supporting with the annual dues directed toward educating the hunting and fishing public.

The emblem of NTA Certification is issued to those NTA members who apply for and achieve the requirements specified in the rules and regulations.  The emblem is trademarked and reserved for this use only and can be used to promote the fact that they have achieved this honor.

In previous years the program was promoted through advertising in the NRA publication – The American Hunter.  Although this advertising was very effective in reaching over five million hunters it was also very costly and was not reaching the majority of sportsmen and women.  Publications such as Outdoor Life, Field and Stream, etc. would provide excellent avenues for exposure but the costs were prohibitive.  Several of the major magazines, including Ducks Unlimited have recognized NTA Certification on several occasions in their articles and are very supportive of the concept.  We also have written to various state publications with articles about the Certification Program, describing what it is, what it stands for and listing the Certified Taxidermists in that state.

In 1989, the NTA board approved a new approach. A highly professional four-color brochure was produced that enabled all NTA certified taxidermists to help promote our program.  WE all know the value of word of mouth.  This brochure describes the Certification Program and the work a taxidermist must do to achieve the points necessary to be certified.  All certified taxidermists in good standing receive these brochures to present to their customers at their businesses, sport shows, and sporting goods retailers and by any other means providing public exposure to our program. 

Many times, we have sportsman contact the NTA and we provide a brochure along with a list of all CT’s to anyone responding to our previous magazine, newspaper articles or ads.  Exposure of the Certification Program to the sporting public remains the key to its success.  NTA Certification is a distinguished goal to work for.  There are at this time, very few NTA members certified in all four categories.

As of Jan. 1st, 2003, the point total was increased to 8 points needed per category to receive certification.  The existing points for 1st place through honorable mention have been changed as well. There will no longer be points given for honorable mention.  In addition, if you win a National Champion or North American Champion at the annual NTA convention, then you would automatically be certified in that category, if you apply. 

The goals have been established and the quality of our art has continually improved at the commercial level, year after year.  Let us now educate the public to this quality.  They will not hesitate to pay for it.  In this way, the Certification Program was established for you.  Do not pass up this program of professionalism.

Do you have any thoughts or ideas on the certification program that you would like to talk about?  If so, the NTA wants your comments and suggestions. Please email NTA headquarters at NTAHQ@aol.com or Frankietho@aol.com.  We welcome your ideas and thoughts.  Our continuing goal is to make this program the best it can be. 
 

Requirements & Rules for NTA Certification

These rules and requirements are the guidelines to following when applying:
1. NTA membership must be in good standing.
2. An application for certification should be requested from and returned to NTAHQ, 108 Branch Drive, Slidell, LA 70461
3. There are 4 categories of certification:  MAMMALS, FISH, and BIRDS or REPTILES.  You may apply for certification in any of the individual categories or all four if you meet the point requirements.
4. You must earn at least 8 points in each category for which you are applying.  These points can accumulate only from national, sanctioned regional, world, SCI, NWTF, and NTA affiliated chapters using NTA judges, NTA score sheets and NTA criteria.  NTAHQ can provide you with the current information on these affiliated/sanctioned events.  Each level of competition will have different point values for ribbons earned.

Point Totals

     State        Regional           NTA
1st     3                 4                 4 
2nd    2                 3                 3
3rd     1                 1                 2
HM     0                0                  0

5. The NTA annual competition as well as other affiliated competitions will provide an area for those members who do not wish to compete but would still like their work evaluated for certification points.  There is no charge for this service.  The SAME STANDARDS as the regular competition will be used to judge the mounts, but only point values (0-4) will be given.  There will be no score sheets or critiques of the mounts, and there is a limit of two mounts per category per person.
6. The fee for first time certification is $50.00.  You may choose from these four categories: MAMMALS, FISH, and BIRDS or REPTILES.
7. Annual renewal for the certification tag will be required.  The renewal fee of $20.00 will be due annually on January 1st.  Renewal notices are mailed to NTA life members only. NTA individual/regular members may renew at the same time they renew their annual dues on January 1st.  Failure to renew during a one-year period results in only paying the $20.00 certification fee missed, not having to repeat the evaluation process again.  IN addition, the NTA membership must be in good standing during that period.  If failure to renew a certification goes longer than one year, you must re-enter as a new participant.  Failure to renew carries a forfeiture of all uses and benefits of the program, including use of the certification logo.
8. After earning your points, submit your application along with the certification fee.  Once your application fee is approved you will receive:

• A certification certificate listing the categories in which you are certified and validation dates in effect.
• An official “printers grade” emblem for your advertising and letterhead
• A gold window transfer of the certification emblem
• Award of Excellence winners will have this honor indicated on their certificates (if they provide the information)
• 500 Full color brochures
• NTA News release for your local newspaper
• Certified Taxidermists as well as NTA Award of Excellence winners will have this information listed by their names in the NTA Annual Report
• Certification renewals receive a tag with the appropriate year