F.A.Q.

A. You will need to take and pass both the Introduction to Dog Grooming Hybrid Course first, and then the Dog Groomer Certification Course. For more information on each course, please visit our Class Scheduling & Pricing page.

A. The Introduction to Dog Grooming Course consists of two parts: Part 1 is 100 hours of online coursework that can be completed at your own pace, and Part 2, which consists of 150 hours of hands-on training. The hands-on training hours consist of 60 Lecture hours with your Instructor (2 days/week) and 90 Lab hours, which are scheduled according to your availability.

The Dog Groomer Certification Course consists of 300 hours of hands-on training, with 120 Lecture hours to be completed with your Instructor (2 days/week) and 180 Lab hours, which are scheduled according to your availability. Once your classroom hours are completed, you will need to complete 150 Internship hours at a WCGA training facility and 300 Externship hours to be completed at a WCGA-approved grooming salon of your choosing. Externship hours can be completed at a grooming job you are already employed at, or at a grooming salon, mobile grooming business, at a veterinary clinic or animal shelter as long as the facility meets certain guidelines.

Short Answer:
Introduction to Dog Grooming: 250 hours
Dog Groomer Certification Course: 750 hours
TOTAL: 1,000 hours

A. If you are able to attend 5 days/week, you will complete your required hours within 6 months. If you are unable to attend 5 days/week, at minimum, you will still be required to attend your Instructor-led classroom days 2 days/week. Lab hours and Internship hours can be scheduled according to your availability, but you will be unable to receive your Certification until all required hours have been completed. 

Short Answer:
5 days/week= 6 months
4 days/week= 8 months
3 days/week= 11 months
2 days/week= 16 months

A. If you have at least 6+ months of experience working as a professional bather or groomer, you may be able to turn some of your work experience into transfer credits or hours that may apply to your externship hour requirements! For more information, schedule an appointment for a Consultation today!

A. Yes! Each salon, whether privately owned or corporate, will have its own policies in place regarding new-hires, so you may be started off as a bather for a short time while your new salon determines where you are at with your grooming skills. Some may start you off doing haircuts right away, while some may prefer to wait a little while. However, groomers are in high demand, so finding a job after graduation is easy!

A. As of July 5, 2024, the Intro to Dog Groomer is $6,000 and the Dog Groomer Certification course is $6,000, with a $250 registration fee $12,250. A deposit of 25% ($3,000) is due at the time of enrollment. Tuition must be fully paid 1 week before the class starts. For pricing information for other classes, please the Dog Grooming Class page or the Cat Grooming Class page for pricing each additional class. Discounts are offered periodically through the year, which are found at the top of the Class Schedules & Pricing page.

A. We do not currently offer financing at this time. However, you may apply for a scholarship on our Student Resources page. We also offer a variety of Payment Plans to fit every budget.

A. If you do not have your own tools, we have tool kits available to rent for $150 for the duration of the class, $5 per day (if you forget yours), or for purchase. Tool kit prices range from $900 (corded clipper) to $1,050 (cordless clipper) + tax. An enrollment counselor can assist you with any tool kit questions you may have.

A. Yes! We have grooming salon managers contacting us regularly to hire our graduates, so we can assist you in finding a job both in-state or out of state.