Certification Process

To become certified as a Certified Feline Master Groomer™ (CFMG™) follow the steps below:

Join the NCGIA

Fill out the membership application and send it in or submit the form online.

Cost for first year: $50 ($20/year renewal)
Initial Membership and Renewal fees can now be paid online under Products/Registrations.

Purchase Curriculum Package (all items except Study Packets are optional but recommended)

The curriculum package includes:

Set of 4 DVDs
Set of 4 Study Packets (REQUIRED for taking Written Exams)
Breed Flashcards
Color Flashcards
Breed Poster
Ultimate Cat Groomer Encyclopedia

These items will prepare you to pass the 4 corresponding written exams and serve as reference guides in the future. They Study Packets are required for certification. Allow yourself time to study and prepare for all 4 exams which can be taken all at once or one at a time. Written exams can be taken at workshops, at any trade shows were the NCGIA is present, or by proctor (i.e. by teacher or grooming school instructor).

The DVDs will serve as a great training tool and equip you to better handle and groom a variety of cats. If you practice what is taught on the DVDs this will help you achieve the skills needed for passing the 5 practical exams.

The Breed Poster and Flashcard sets are a beneficial for studying the various feline breeds and colors. They provide a visual and allow for self-study.

The Encyclopedia is the very best cat grooming book on the market. We guarantee it or your money back!

Cost for set of curriculum package: $546 (if purchased in sets or as a group)

Train

The very best way to get your training is to attend the 2 week course at the National Cat Groomers School in Greenville, SC.

Another option includes:

Workshop Attendance: Most workshops are 2 or 3 days and cost approx $350-$400. The training is intense and part of a class experience that includes lecture, demonstration, and hands-on time for each student. (NOTE: As of Jan. 2010, we have cut back considerably on the number of workshops we conduct because we now have the school and believe it to be the best method for training and instruction. Any workshops that we do conduct are primarily outside the US.)

Average Cost for Workshop Training: $350-$400
Cost for school tuition INCLUDING curriculum package listed above: $2560

Pass Exams

Both Written and Practical Exams can be taken during any cat grooming school course or at most workshops. Any retakes are an additional $45 per exam. Written exams can also be taken at any tradeshow where the NCGIA is in attendance or they can be proctored. Some tradeshows also allow for Practical exams to be administered.

Membership with the NCGIA must be current in order to take any exams and earn the CFMG or CFCG title. To retain any titles earned through the NCGIA, membership must remain current, otherwise all titles will be lost, and the exam process would need to be repeated to attain the titles once again.

Registration for exams can be done over the phone or online.

Total cost for all 9 exams: $585

(For information about skyping practical exams - read here)

Become a CFMG!

Once all exams are passed and you provide proof of CPR certification (offered at the National Cat Groomers School), you will have earned the title of CFMG!

The cost for the entire package, including workshop attendance training is $1531 (average).
The cost for the entire package, including the 2-week cat grooming course is $3145.

You can become a Certified Feline Master Groomer and turn out amazing results on any cat you groom. By learning more about cats and their breeds, colors, temperaments and grooming needs you can grow the feline part of your business and recoup your costs very quickly. By averaging $112 per lion cut**, you can pay for your school tuition and certification exams with only 30 grooms!** We can’t think of any other education that pays for itself that quickly.

** The average charge for a lion cut groom by our CFMGs is $75. Combined with the value of the dirty cat hair (approximately 1/4 lb per lion cut on the average long hair breed at $113/lb), each lion cut reaps roughly $103 each! That means it would take only 30 lion cuts to pay for the full school tuition plus the 9 certification exams!

The Dirty Hair Project is available to ALL of the Certified Feline Master Groomers through the NCGIA. Learn more about our Dirty Hair Project.