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.

Credentialed Members and Members with Certification Exam Progress: Expired 1–30 Days

Members holding a CFMG and/or CFCG credential, as well as members who have successfully completed one or more NCGI certification exams but have not yet earned a professional credential, may restore their credentialed membership or retain their previously completed exam scores and certification progress if their membership has been expired for 30 days or less by:

• Paying the current annual membership fee for their applicable membership level
• Paying a $25 Membership Late Fee

The Membership Late Fee applies beginning the day following the membership expiration date. There is no grace period.

Members whose membership has expired and who need to restore a professional credential or retain previous certification exam scores must contact the NCGI for reinstatement instructions. Simply purchasing a new NCGI membership does not automatically restore professional credentials, previously completed exam scores, or certification progress.

Credentialed Members and Members with Certification Exam Progress: Expired 31 Days–12 Months

Once membership has been expired for more than 30 days, professional credentials and previously completed certification exam scores are subject to formal reinstatement requirements.

Members whose membership has been expired for more than 30 days but no more than 12 consecutive months may reinstate their professional credentials or retain their previously completed exam scores and certification progress by:

• Paying the current annual membership fee for their applicable membership level
• Paying the $25 Membership Late Fee
• Paying the $385 Certification Reinstatement Fee
• Meeting any additional reinstatement requirements established by the NCGI

Payment of membership and reinstatement fees does not, by itself, guarantee reinstatement if additional requirements have been established by the NCGI.

Memberships Expired More Than 12 Months

If membership remains expired for more than 12 consecutive months, professional credentials, previously completed certification exam scores, and certification progress 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. Members who had not yet completed certification must begin the certification process again under the requirements in effect at that time.

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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.