NCGI Membership & Professional Credential Policy

This policy outlines the rights, responsibilities, and requirements associated with NCGI membership and the maintenance of professional credentials, including the Certified Feline Master Groomer (CFMG) and Certified Feline Creative Groomer (CFCG) designations.

 

Membership in the National Cat Groomers Institute (NCGI) signifies a commitment to professional excellence in feline grooming. Active membership provides access to valuable educational resources, professional support, and the opportunity to earn and maintain NCGI professional credentials.

By becoming a member or renewing your membership, you agree to the terms of this Membership & Professional Credential Policy.

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1. Maintaining Active Membership

Active membership is required to receive member benefits, participate in the NCGI certification program, and maintain the right to use any professional credentials earned through the NCGI.

Members in good standing receive:

• Access to member-exclusive educational content and seminars
• Access to the private NCGI member community
• Exclusive member discounts
• Listing in the NCGI Groomer Directory (where applicable)
• Member support services
• The right to participate in the NCGI certification program
• The right to use any earned NCGI professional credentials while membership remains active

Membership is maintained through payment of the applicable annual membership fee. Members are responsible for maintaining current payment information and a valid email address to ensure renewal notices and payment notifications are received.

If an annual membership payment cannot be successfully processed after reasonable payment collection attempts, or otherwise remains unpaid, membership will expire and the provisions of this policy regarding expired membership will apply.

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2. Professional Credentials

The Certified Feline Master Groomer (CFMG) and Certified Feline Creative Groomer (CFCG) credentials represent an ongoing commitment to safe, humane, ethical, and professional feline grooming practices. Members who represent themselves as CFMGs or CFCGs are expected to uphold these standards and conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on the profession and the National Cat Groomers Institute.

Active membership is required to earn, maintain, and use NCGI professional credentials. Members pursuing certification must maintain active membership throughout the certification process.

If membership expires, professional credentials become inactive and certification progress is suspended until membership is reinstated.

Because NCGI professional credentials represent an ongoing standard of competency, NCGI reserves the right to request evidence of continued competency if reasonable concerns arise regarding the use of a professional credential.

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3. Expired Membership

If membership expires:

• Member benefits immediately end
• Access to member-exclusive content, communities, discounts, and directory listings is discontinued
• Professional credentials become inactive
• Certification progress is suspended

During an inactive membership, members may not represent themselves as Certified Feline Master Groomers (CFMG) or Certified Feline Creative Groomers (CFCG), nor may they display or use these credentials in professional or marketing materials. 

Members whose membership has been expired for 12 months or less may reinstate their professional credentials by satisfying the following requirements:

• Pay the current annual membership fee for their credential level
• Pay the applicable Certification Reinstatement Fee
• Meet any additional reinstatement requirements established by the NCGI
  

If membership remains expired for more than 12 consecutive months, professional credentials are no longer eligible for reinstatement. Any future use of previously earned credentials will require successful completion of the certification requirements in effect at the time of reapplication. 

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4. NCGI Authority

NCGI reserves the right to suspend or revoke any professional credential if it determines that:

• Grooming or handling standards no longer meet the level required for certification.
• The credential is being used in a misleading, unethical, or unprofessional manner.
• A member refuses to demonstrate continued competency when reasonably requested.
• A member violates NCGI policies or engages in conduct that materially harms the integrity, reputation, or mission of the National Cat Groomers Institute.

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5. Unauthorized Use of Professional Credentials

The Certified Feline Master Groomer (CFMG) and Certified Feline Creative Groomer (CFCG) titles, certificates, logos, and related designations are the intellectual property of the National Cat Groomers Institute.

Use of these professional credentials is permitted only by individuals who:

• Have been awarded the applicable credential by the NCGI; and
• Maintain active membership in good standing.

Unauthorized use of any NCGI professional credential is strictly prohibited.

The National Cat Groomers Institute reserves the right to pursue all legal and equitable remedies available to enforce these rights. Members agree that any dispute arising under this policy shall be governed by the laws of the State of South Carolina, and members agree to reimburse the National Cat Groomers Institute for reasonable attorney's fees and legal costs incurred in successfully enforcing this policy.