Section 1240.700  Canine Handler Training Course Requirements

a)         No licensed private detective, licensed private security contractor, or registered employee of a private detective agency or private security contractor agency shall use or handle a trained canine to protect persons or property or to conduct investigations until that person has satisfactorily completed a canine handler training course approved by the Division and has been issued a canine handler authorization card by the Division.  The canine handler training course shall consist of basic training and specialized training and shall include both classroom instruction and practical field experience as set forth in this Section.

b)         Basic training shall consist of a minimum of 100 hours and shall include:

1)         canine handling safety procedures;

2)         basic veterinary health and wellness principles, including canine first aid;

3)         principles of canine conditioning;

4)         canine obedience techniques;

5)         search patterns and techniques; and

6)         legal guidelines affecting canine odor detection operations.

c)         Specialized training shall consist of a minimum of 80 hours of additional training related to the particular canine discipline or disciplines in which the canine and canine handler are to be used and may include, without limitation:

1)         patrol;

2)         narcotics odor detection;

3)         explosives odor detection;

4)         cadaver odor detection; or

5)         any other specialized detection discipline in which the canine and canine handler are to be used.

d)         All odor detection certification conducted with the canines shall use the actual explosive materials, controlled substances, fire accelerants, or sample human tissue to which the canine is being trained to identify and respond.

e)         All training facilities shall be maintained in a safe and good working condition.  The Division may conduct on-site inspections and may consider the following factors:

1)         display of all required licenses under the Act and any other licenses required under federal or State law;

2)         safety of persons and property in the area;

3)         operational rules and policies;

4)         canine training logs;

5)         display of canine care logs;

6)         storage of training materials;

7)         training documentation and records; and

8)         kennel facility compliance with United States Department of Agriculture animal welfare guidelines.

f)         Upon completion of the training, each canine handler must successfully complete a written and practical examination.  The canine training facility shall make a copy of the examination or a copy of any person's examination or related records available to the Division upon request.  Passage of the written examination shall require a score of 70%.  Passage of the field examination shall be determined by the canine training facility in accordance with certification standards established by the United States Police Canine Association, Inc. (USPCA) (2018/2019), North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA) (2017), no later editions or amendments included, or other nationally recognized and substantially similar standards.  Every canine handler and canine shall be required to recertify annually according to the USPCA or NAPWDA Certification Standards or the certification standards of another nationally recognized canine association accepted by the Division.

g)         Each canine trainer shall issue a certification of completion of canine handler training for each person who successfully completes the course.  This certification shall include the name of the canine handler, the name or identification of the canine with which he or she is certified to work, the patrol and/or detection specialty or specialties the canine handler and canine are certified to perform, the name of the canine instructor, and the name of the agency employing the canine instructor.  This certification shall be the permanent record of canine handler training and shall be retained by the canine handler as proof of the training.  During the term of a canine handler's employment with an agency licensed by the Division, the certification or a copy of the certification shall remain in the employee's file as maintained by the employer.  Upon termination of employment, an original certification shall be returned to the employee.

h)         Upon application to the Division prior to 7/1/14, any canine handler who completed training from a canine training facility prior to the effective date of this Subpart and whose course syllabus meets or exceeds the requirements of this Section, shall be deemed by the Division to have complied with the requirements of this Section.

i)          The training requirements of this Section shall be waived for a person who holds an active canine trainer authorization card issued by the Division.

j)          The Division may accept other training as meeting the requirements of this Section if the training was conducted by a law enforcement agency, the military, or a training facility located outside of the State of Illinois and is substantially similar to the training required under this Section.

(Source:  Amended at 43 Ill. Reg. 7111, effective June 21, 2019)