How to Become a Certified Groomer: The Professional Path
If you’re brand-new, we’ll help you understand your options and guide you to trusted beginner resources.
If you already groom, we’ll help you gain the credentials and recognition you’ve earned.
Why Certification Matters
Why Certification Matters
Grooming Certification Explained: What It Is, What It Isn’t, and Why It Matters
The WPGA is a state-licensed, Department of Education–approved career school, offering professional diploma programs that qualify graduates for IAPEG international certification, the gold standard for grooming professionals around the world.
Anyone can teach grooming on the job, and quick courses are everywhere. But meaningful credentials come from formal education and verified standards.
The WPGA offers structured learning, clear assessments, and professional credits that truly count, so when you complete a course or program, you’ve earned recognition that actually reflects your skill and elevates your career.
In this quick video, you’ll learn what certification looks like, how it’s recognized through IAPEG worldwide, and why DOE-approved programs matter for your long-term career.
For Anyone in Pet Care
Start with the Modern Grooming Professional™
for $99!!
New to grooming or just getting you foot in the door? Already working in a salon? The MGP™ is the perfect place to begin. Make sure you love what you do before you get started!
It teaches the skills every pet-care professional needs, behavior, safety, skin and coat, and modern grooming practices. Most salons don’t teach this, and most groomers never get this level of education until years later.
Whether you’re a bather, assistant, or working groomer, MGP gives you the foundation and confidence to grow fast, the right way.
Thinking About Grooming School?
Watch This First:
5 Things to Check Before You Enroll in a Pet Grooming School
Not every grooming school is created equal.
Whether you’re exploring your first course or looking to advance your career, it’s important to know what to look for, so you invest your time and money wisely.
Watch this quick guide to learn the five things every groomer should know before choosing a program.
If you’re completely new to grooming, start with our free Grooming Career Guide—it walks you through beginner training options and next steps.
👉 Already grooming? Explore our Professional Programs to see how you can qualify for certification.
Lisa Herbold shares why The Whole Pet Grooming Academy (WPGA) is the Ivy League of grooming education. In this video, Lisa talks about what makes WPGA different from the rest: ✂️ DOE-approved diploma programs 🌎 International IAPEG certification 🤝 A professional community that celebrates recognition
The best proof of professional education is what our graduates do next.
Hear from Lisa Herbold, a WPGA alum, author, educator, and owner of the distribution company, Groomerverse, who teaches our next generation of groomers.