NTA Certification
There are approximately 75,000 people in the United States who practice taxidermy. These findings are based on yellow page listings, mailing lists from taxidermy supply companies, suscribers to trade publications and the liscensing requirements of some states. Many are hobbyists while some are museum curators, but the vast majority are part-time and full-time taxidermists who solicit money for their services. Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of such taxidermists have no professional training per se, nor have they been trained or tested in their abilities or knowledge to perform professional work.

Only a small percent of these taxidermists are affiliated with any taxidermy organizations, and less than 4% belong to an organization which certifies its members.

The National Taxidermists Association was organized in 1973 and is recognized as the largest orgainization in the profession. The development of the NTA Certification Program began in 1983 and was implemented during the 1985 Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida. Since it's beginning, it has been recognized and written about in national publications such as Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, Bass Magazine, and the NRA publication American Hunter.

Only NTA members who have met the Certification requirements can use the Symbol of Excellence shown at the top of this page.

NTA Certification and What It Means
The National Taxidermists Association held its first taxidermy competition in the summer of 1978. There are now over forty NTA sanctioned competitions each year where thousands of beautiful mounts are displayed for viewing. The mounts are judged by highly respected taxidermists noted for their expertise in the various categories of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles. NTA score sheets and judging criteria are used.

The elements evaluated in each mount are mechanical soundness, craftsmanship and anatomical accuracy. Bonus points can also be given for originality, creativity and the difficulty of the subject. The resulting score for each entry can earn a first, second, or third place ribbon.

Each level of winning earns a point value. When the required number of points are reached in an individual category (mammals, birds, fish, reptiles) the NTA member is allowed to apply for Certification.

Certification can be issued in any of the individual categories or all four if the point requirements are met. The Certification certificate displayed by each recipient indicates the category or categories in which he or she is certified.