What is PL MT certification?
A Polish system of recreational trailing tests, across 6 progressive classes, with a special test (NSI) for recognising the absence of a trail. The diploma does not authorise operational search-and-rescue work.
International certification
PL MT: the 6 classes of the Polish trailing tests
PL MT (Próby Tropienia Użytkowego) is a Polish system of recreational mantrailing tests, across 6 progressive classes. The regulations state explicitly that a PL MT diploma does not authorise running trailing courses, nor taking part in real rescue-service operations - it is strictly a recreational assessment tool, meant to gather data on the training level of trailing dogs in Poland.
Who can enter
- Only handler-dog pairs on the start list published by the organiser.
- Healthy dogs, in suitable physical condition; no age limit.
- Minors may take part only under the supervision of a legal guardian, present on site.
- A valid rabies vaccination is mandatory - failure to show proof means immediate disqualification.
- Classes 1-2 may be run internally, within a trailing group/club, or opened to outside participants; classes 3-6 are always open events ("zjazdy"), judged by a panel of 2-3 assessors appointed by the organiser.
Structure: 6 classes, in strict order
| Class | Trail length | Trail age | Working time | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PL MT 1 | ~200 m | fresh, up to 20 minutes | 15 minutes | At least 2 decision points; natural, lightly trodden ground (forest, park, meadow, dirt roads); the person may be visible, face covered by a cloth. |
| PL MT 2 | ~300 m | ~20 minutes | 20 minutes | At least 3 decision points; may include hard surface; the person hidden (may be visible with face covered). |
| PL MT 3 | ~400 m | ~1 hour | 20 minutes | At least 3 decision points; the person hidden (possibly in a car); entry requires proof of having passed classes 1-2, sent at least 2 weeks in advance. |
| PL MT 4 | 2 tasks of 400 m | ~1 hour each | 20 minutes each | Two separate tasks, any combination of a real trail/NSI (no trail) - for example NSI+NSI, NSI+trail, or trail+trail. |
| PL MT 5 | ~600 m | ~3 hours | 20 minutes | At least 4 decision points; mixed terrain, at least half hard surface; possible obstacles (crossing water, fences, doors). |
| PL MT 6 | ~700 m | ~6 hours | 30 minutes | At least 4 decision points; more than half hard surface, urban/park setting; besides the sought person, a second "decoy" person walks about half the route on their own trail, as old or fresher than the real one - the dog must find the correct person. |
Source: PL MT - Regulamin, "Tabela klas prób". Figures may vary ±20% from the table values. Trails are always double-blind; from class 3 up, trails must be GPS-recorded.
The NSI test (absence of a trail)
NSI (No Scent Identification) is the test where the dog is given the scent article of a person who has not been at the departure point for at least 2 weeks. The handler must report to the panel that no trail exists, within 50 metres of the indicated start point - reporting beyond that distance fails the test. Even the judging panel does not know in advance whether a given task is a real trail or an NSI - it is decided by drawing lots, in a sealed envelope opened only after the work is done.
Recognition of other certification systems
- A passed GAK9 Level 1 exam is equivalent to passing PL MT class 3, and grants entry directly to class PL MT 4.
- A passed GAK9 Level 2 exam, combined with a passed PL MT class 4, is equivalent to class PL MT 5, granting entry to class PL MT 6.
Official regulations
The figures on this page come from the document below; on trial day the text of the regulations is what counts.
Related pages
Questions and answers
Frequently asked questions
Do the classes have to be taken in order?
Yes - class 3 requires proof of having passed classes 1 and 2, sent to the organiser at least 2 weeks in advance.
What does the GAK9 recognition mean?
A passed GAK9 Level 1 exam counts as PL MT 3 (opening access to PL MT 4); GAK9 Level 2 plus PL MT 4 counts as PL MT 5 (opening access to PL MT 6).
Can a team from outside Poland take part?
The regulations do not mention a citizenship requirement, but entry, forms and event announcements are all in Polish, on the tropienieuzytkowe.pl platform.
Want to know where to start?
See all the certifications explained step by step, with the official regulations.