What does it mean to be a “certified” groomer?

Right now in the grooming industry in the United States, no prior education requirements or examination processes exist to be a groomer. For the animals’ sake, this is a frightening concept, as grooming obviously deals with living, breathing creatures every single day. They are helpless and at the mercy of whomever is handling them. It is vital that groomers be properly trained, not just to give fun haircuts, but also to be well-versed in health and skin issues, diseases and dangers, safety issues, etc.

Groomers who wish to further their education may complete the certification process to bring credibility and recognition as a professional to their careers. Until now, there have only been three different organizations which certify groomers in the United States. The details of the actual certification process vary somewhat in each of the three entities, but the overall goal is the same: to measure a groomer’s overall skills and knowledge of dog grooming as a whole. The process involves a lengthy series of written and practical hands-on tests.

After successfully completing these, the groomer may then take a very challenging master’s exam. Upon successfully completing the entire process, the groomer is then awarded the title of being “certified,” the highest honor in the pet grooming industry. In an industry with such little regulation, certification impresses clients and offers satisfaction in a groomer’s career.

Our director, Shannon Heggem, CMG, NCMG, CKO is certified by two of the three organizations. (Did you know that it is not a requirement to operate a grooming school?  Amazing!  It certainly should be, to ensure that students receive a quality education.)

The initials after Shannon’s name signify her certifications: NCMG stands for National Certified Master Groomer, through the National Dog Groomers’ Association. CMG stands for Certified Master Groomer through the International Professional Groomers, Inc. (CKO represents Certified Kennel Operator, through the Pet Care Services Association…FYI  There are only three other people besides Shannon who are certified in grooming as well as kenneling!

STUDENT CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Shannon was formerly a certifier for IPG, which means that she successfully completed an extensive and grueling certifier apprenticeship program.  Currently she is no longer active in this capacity; she spent many years administering the certification testing for this organization and decided that the testing process could be enhanced and improved.

Therefore, through the Fast Track Institute of Pet Careers, Shannon has launched a new certification program unlike the other three listed above.  The new certification process includes the same grooming quality systems as the above, with the important addition of essential business and professional skills and knowledge.  Students who successfully complete the FTI program and pass the testing will be awarded the prestigious title:

Certified Grooming Business Professional  CGBP™

As previously mentioned, many grooming schools advertise that students graduate as a “certified” groomer, which essentially means they’ve been given a certificate…Here at FTI,we don’t believe that is ethical, since those certificates are basically unrecognized in the grooming industry.  Our students are provided with two actual certification testing opportunities:  Certified Pet Care Technician through the Pet Care Services Association, and the above, Certified Grooming Business Professional™  through our own faculty certification department.

Upon successful completion of the tests, our graduates are awarded two titles:  Certified Pet Care Technician and Certified Grooming Business Professional™.  This results in industry recognized designations behind the graduates name:  Jane Doe, CPCT, CGBP!  What a great way to add credibility to a newly graduated professional groomer!