Become an ACS-OC Certified Naturalist

Love whales? This is a great chance to learn more about whales, dolphins, and other cetaceans!  

2026 ACS-OC Naturalist Certification Course

Interested in the 2026 Naturalist Class?
Complete Interest Form

We are thrilled to announce the dates for this year's American Cetacean Society-Orange County Marine Mammal Naturalist Certification Course!

The American Cetacean Society is the first non-profit conservation group anywhere devoted to cetaceans—whales, dolphins, and porpoises. By completing our certification course, naturalists can represent ACS-OC on board whale-watching vessels, at schools, at special events, and other venues. Included in the course fee, students will receive an official ACS-OC Naturalist name badge, diploma, and graduation whale watch trip.

The 15-session class will occur on Thursdays from January 8th to April 16th, 2026, from 7 to 9 p.m. All courses are in-person and will occur at Orange Coast College in the Lewis Center. Our monthly speaker series occurs on ZOOM and is optional attendance (or as makeup for absences).

Class dates:

  • January 8: Defining Our Whales
  • January 15: Cetacean Behaviors
  • January 22: Speaker Series
  • January 29: Baleen Whale Recognition
  • February 5: Toothed Whale Recognition
  • February 12: Gray Whales
  • February 19: Pinnipeds
  • February 26: Speaker Series
  • March 5: Seabirds
  • March 12: Coastal History
  • March 19: Humans & Whales
  • March 26: Speaker Series
  • April 2: ZOOM Becoming a Naturalist / Study guide review
  • April 9: Final Test
  • April 16: Becoming a Naturalist
  • April 18 or 19: Graduation Whale Watch
Help represent ACS-OC
Certified Naturalists can represent ACS-OC on board whale-watching vessels, at schools and at other venues.
Next sessions begin January 2024
  • 11 week hybrid course (alternating Zoom / in-person at Orange Coast College)
  • Thursday evenings @ 7 PM
  • Required national ACS membership fee: $35 (naturalist student price)
  • Course fee is waived for Orange Coast College students and discounted for whale watch company employees! Fee for current naturalists wishing to complete a refresher course is $50.
  • Course fee: $175 includes:
    • ACS-OC Marine Mammal Naturalist Certification after successful completion of final exam.
    • Official ACS-OC badge with name and naturalist title.
    • Unlimited access to lecture recordings and course materials.
    • Celebratory graduation whale watch trip with all your new ACS-OC friends! Free for you with option to bring friends and family!
Contact us below for more info and get started.
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group of ACS-OC naturalists on a boat next to dolphins

ACS-OC Graduating Classes

Congratulations to our Certified Naturalists!

Naturalist graduating class of 2024

Spring 2024

ACS-OC Fall/Winter 2023 Naturalist Program Graduates

Fall/Winter 2023

ACS-OC Fall/Winter 2023 Naturalist Program Graduates

Fall 2022

Group photo of ACS-OC Naturalist Graduates, Class of Fall 2021

Fall 2021

Group photo of ACS-OC Naturalist Graduates, Class of Fall 2019

Fall 2019

Group photo of ACS-OC Naturalist Graduates, Class of Spring 2019

Spring 2019

Group photo of ACS-OC Naturalist Graduates, Class of Spring 2018

Spring 2018

Group photo of ACS-OC Naturalist Graduates, Class of Summer 2017

Summer 2017

Group photo of the 2016 Spring class, ACS-OC Naturalists

Spring 2016

Join and support the mission of ACS-OC to protect cetaceans.

Join an elite organization that consists of marine biologists, conservationists, and citizens scientists that support the efforts of the world first cetacean conservation organization.

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