The paper proposes a two-stage model able to describe the dynamic behavior of a commercial magnetostrictive actuator in the frequency range of interest for fast actuation purposes. The first stage is a static model of hysteresis, while the second one is a linear dynamic model. The model structure allows to define well-assessed identification procedures for both stages. In particular, the identification of the dynamic stage is realized by the compensation of the transducer's hysteresis, through the employment of a pseudo-compensator. Experimental validation of the model is also reported and further applications to other magnetostrictive actuators is addressed. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.