Certification Process

The testing process is a validation of the professional Canine Stylist to show their clients and peers that they are willing to expand their knowledge and are dedicated to professional advancement. For employers, it provides a standard they would like their prospective employees to meet.

There are five levels of certification that are available to members of the Canadian Professional Pet Stylists. Each level of certification has a written exam and a practical test, with the exception of the CCS2 Terrier practical which has two tests. A passing mark is required on both the written and practical tests to receive a certificate. The Master Groomer exam is a written test only. Once BOTH the written and practical tests are passed, a groomer may refer to themselves as:

• Canadian Canine Bather Technician (CCBT1) – a Certified Bather/Dryer
  
• Canadian Canine Bather Double Coated Technician (CCBDCT1) – a Certified Bather/Dryer
  
• Canadian Canine Intermediate Stylist Technician (CCST1 Intermediate) – a certified pet groomer
  
• Canadian Canine Stylist (CCS2) – you are a Certified Groomer
  * at this level you must also state which breed group you are certified in:
  CCS2 Sporting
  CCS2 Non Sporting
  CCS2 Terrier
• Canadian Canine Master Stylist (CCS3MS) – you are a Certified Master Groomer

A passing mark for both of the Bather Levels and the Level 2 written exams is 70%, for the Intermediate written it is 80%. A passing mark for the Bather and Level 2 practical exams is 70%, for the Intermediate practical it is 80%. As of January 1, 2022 in order to qualify for the CCS1 Intermediate Stylist Technician, both the CCS1 Bather Technician and CCS1 Bather Double Coated Technician certifications must be passed. In order to qualify for CCS3 Master Groomer, all of the written and practical tests for CCS1 Bather Technician, CCS1 Bather Double Coated, Sporting, Non Sporting and Terrier must be passed with a minimum of 85%. The passing mark for the Master Groomer exam is 85%.

Certifications are held all over the country, wherever there are enough groomers in one area wanting to do some testing. They are done on a cost recovery basis; as long as there are enough test fees generated to cover the expenses of the Certifiers, we will send them. A current membership with CPPS is required for testing and groomers must pre-register with the head office in order to attend.

For upcoming certification dates, check our Coming Events list. If there are no scheduled dates in your area, contact us to see if we can arrange for one. All we need is the donation of the use of a grooming shop that has space for 3-4 tables and the use of the tubs.

REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATES

If your certificates become lost or damaged, replacements can be ordered from our head office, for a fee:

• Current Member - $15.00 for the first one, $10.00 each after
• Non Current Member - $25.00 for the first one, $20.00 each after

Contact: CPPS, P.O. Box 267, 70 Mile House, BC V0K 2K0 (250) 456-2201