What Is the CACIB/CAPIB (International Certificate of Ability to Champion/Premior)?
The CACIB/CAPIB is the certificate a pedigree cat can earn during a cat show, as a required step toward the title of:
- IC – International Champion, for entire (unaltered) cats competing in the Champion Class (Class 7)
- IP – International Premior, for neutered/spayed cats competing in the Premior Class (Class 8)
Prerequisites to Enter the CACIB/CAPIB
To compete for this certificate, the cat must already hold the CH/PR (Champion/Premior) title, meaning it must have already earned the 3 required CAC/CAP certificates in the Open/Premior Class. You cannot enter CACIB/CAPIB competition without first completing the basic Champion or Premior title.
How to Earn the International Champion or Premior Title (IC/IP)
To win the IC (International Champion) or IP (International Premior) title, a cat needs 3 CACIB/CAPIB certificates, under these conditions:
- They must be awarded by three different judges
- At three different shows
- The shows must involve at least two different countries
The Two-Country Rule
Unlike the CAC/CAP, for the CACIB/CAPIB it is not enough to compete at different shows: at least two different countries must be involved across the three shows combined. Some valid examples:
- Two shows in your home country and one abroad
- All three abroad, but in two different countries
- Two abroad and one in your home country
The chronological order of the shows doesn't matter: what matters is the final outcome — that at least two countries are represented across the three shows.
What "Cat on Hold" Means
If the cat has already earned two certificates in the same country, it cannot enter further shows in that country until it earns the third certificate in a different country. In show jargon, this situation is called being "on hold" — a common scenario to keep in mind when planning your show calendar.
The Countersignature Rule
If the same judge awards the CACIB/CAPIB to the same cat twice, the second judgment must be countersigned by another judge. It is the exhibitor's responsibility to inform the judge of this requirement.
Score and Qualification Needed for the CACIB/CAPIB
To obtain the CACIB/CAPIB, the cat must:
- First receive an Excellent (EX) qualification
- Reach a minimum score of 95 points
The score required for the CACIB/CAPIB is therefore higher than the 93 points needed for the CAC/CAP, reflecting the higher level of this title.
How Cats Are Grouped in Competition
Cats compete in homogeneous groups, divided by:
- Breed
- Sex
- Colour (or colour group, for breeds where this subdivision applies)
What Happens When Several Cats Are in the Same Class
If several cats are entered in the same CACIB/CAPIB class (same breed, sex, and colour):
- Only the cat awarded EX 1 also receives the CACIB/CAPIB Certificate
- The others are ranked EX 2, EX 3, EX 4 (from the fifth cat onward, simply EX, with no ranking number)
- These cats do not receive the CACIB/CAPIB, even though they are qualified Excellent
Changing Class After Winning the Title: An Important Reminder for Exhibitors
In "two days, two certificates" shows, a cat may earn its third and final CACIB/CAPIB on Saturday, thereby becoming IC (International Champion) or IP (International Premior) a day early.
In this case, it is the exhibitor's responsibility to promptly notify the show secretary: the following day the cat will need to compete in the higher class, the CAGCIB/CAGPIB class.
Quick Summary: CACIB/CAPIB and IC/IP Title Requirements
Requirement Detail Prerequisite CH/PR title already obtained (3 CAC/CAP) Competition class Champion Class (7) for IC / Premior Class (8) for IP Required qualification Excellent (EX) Minimum score 95 points CACIB/CAPIB needed for the title 3 Judges required 3 different (countersignature if repeated) Shows required 3 different, in at least 2 different countries Limit Maximum 2 certificates in the same country ("cat on hold")
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I earn all 3 CACIB/CAPIB in the same country? No: unlike the CAC/CAP, the CACIB/CAPIB requires at least two different countries to be involved.
What does it mean when a cat is "on hold"? It means the cat has already earned two certificates in the same country and cannot enter further shows there until it earns the third certificate abroad.
Do I need to already hold the Champion title before attempting the CACIB/CAPIB? Yes: the cat must already be CH/PR, meaning it has already earned the 3 CAC/CAP in the Open/Premior Class.
Is the required score the same as for the CAC/CAP? No: the CACIB/CAPIB requires a minimum of 95 points, compared to the 93 points required for the CAC/CAP.
My cat becomes an International Champion during the show — what should I do? Notify the show secretary right away, since from the following day the cat will change class and compete for the CAGCIB/CAGPIB.