The Certification Exam

The certification testing procedure consists of extensive practical skills and written examinations.

Part 1: The Practical Skills Examinations

The practical skills examinations are divided into the following three groups. A proficient demonstration of your grooming skills before two duly accredited IPG Certifiers will be required on certain breeds, as specified below:

1. NON-SPORTING BREEDS- on your choice of either a Toy, Miniature or Standard Poodle, or a Bichon in full coat. Two hours will be allowed for the completion of any trim.

2. SPORTING BREEDS- on your choice of either an American Cocker Spaniel, English Cocker Spaniel, or a Springer Spaniel. A pair of thinning shears will be required to demonstrate thinning techniques. Two hours will be allowed for completion of the "Sporting Breed Trim", required to be trimmed according to the individual dog's breed standard. The "suburban" type trim (shorter scissored legs) is acceptable on American Cockers.

3. TERRIER BREEDS- on your choice of a short-legged terrier (either a Scottish Terrier or West Highland White Terrier) AND a long-legged terrier (either a Wire Fox Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Airedale, Kerry Blue, Welsh, Lakeland or Bedlington). Two hours will be allowed for completion of each of the two dogs groomed. Both dogs do not need to be groomed at the same certification date. All grooming must adhere to the breed standards. If required, registrants will demonstrate "carding" and/or "plucking" techniques.

For all practical skills examination, registrants are required to furnish their own dogs with at least SIX WEEKS GROWTH OF HAIR. The dogs should be bathed, fluff-dried and completely dematted. No crate drying please! Ears should be cleaned and toenails cut or filed to a proper length prior to the test.

All clipper or scissor work must be performed during the practical skills examination. No extra time will be allowed for the dog's size and trims must be completed in the allotted time.

PRE-GROOMED DOGS ARE DISQUALIFIED!

Registrants are required to provide their own grooming equipment, tables and cages.

Part 2: The Written Examinations

Written examinations are administered with each of the practical skills groups. Each group's written examinations are intended to test the applicant's knowledge on all of the breeds within that group.

An extensive written "Master's" Exam will be administered as the final phase in achievement of the status of "CERTIFIED MASTER GROOMER". Two hours will be allowed for this approximately 400 question examination covering:

• Working Group
• Herding Group
• Hound Group
• Toy Group
• Groomer Terminology
• Anatomy
• General Health
• First Aid, Health and Safety
• Chemical Management
• Feline Care

The research and majority of questions listed on all written examinations were derived from the AKC Latest Edition of "The Complete Dog Book". IPG, Inc. advises each professional pet groomer who plans to participate in certification testing to study and be knowledgeable on each of the breed standards, description, glossary, general health section and the canine anatomy section. Certificates are awarded for successfully completing each phase of testing with a "C-" or better grade.

All examinations may be taken in any order, however "Master Groomer", or CMG status cannot be awarded until the registrant has successfully completed ALL phases of IPG, Inc. testing.

Due to testing volume, accuracy, quality assurance and time constraints, it may not be possible to immediately notify all participants of grades. At large test sites, full test results may be mailed.