Certification Process

Six Certification Tiers

There are six tiers of certification that are available to members of the Canadian Professional Pet Stylists. A passing mark is required on the written and practical tests required for each tier to receive a certificate. To obtain Master requires 85% or more on all written exams as well as practical exams in addition to the final written Master exam.

With CPPS, the written and practical exam portions of certification at each tier can be done in any order. Written exams for all tiers can be completed before any practical exams are completed. The practical exams can be done when the right dog becomes available. For example, if you have passed the Non Sporting, but a dog with a really good coat and conformation for the Sporting practical comes along, then go ahead and do that test. Certificates for a level of certification are only issued after both the written and practical exams for that level have been passed. There is no time limit to complete levels of certification. CPPS understands that the right dogs don't come along when needed, and sometimes life can just get in the way of a groomer's certification plans. The marks that you earn remain yours and are valid forever in your file with CPPS as long as the fees have been paid. The only requirement for testing is a current membership.

TIERS OVERVIEW

TIER 1 CANADIAN CANINE STYLIST ASSISTANT

(CCSA) A Certified Canine Stylist Assistant

- Required: CPPS Member in Good Standing
- Prerequisite 1: Canine Bather (CCBT) score of 70% to pass 85% to Qualify for Master
- Prerequisite 2: Canine Double Coat Bather (CCDCBT) score of 70% to pass, 85% to Qualify for Master
- Passing: Must pass both CCBT and CCDCBT
  
  Note that both the Bather and Double Coat Bather each requires a practical and a written exam.

Books:
Groomer's Guide to Pet First Aid, Injuries and Health by Dr. Boyd Harrell, DVM

Resources:
Canine Stylist Assistant Overview & Study Guide (download)

TIER 2 CANADIAN CANINE PET STYLIST

(CCPS) A Certified Canine Stylist

- Required: CPPS Member in Good Standing
- Prerequisite 1: Canine Stylist Assistant
- Passing: Score of 80% to pass, N/A to qualify for Master

Books:
Groomer's Guide to Pet First Aid, Injuries and Health by Dr. Boyd Harrell, DVM
Theory of Five, by Melissa Verplank

Resources:
Canine Pet Stylist Overview (download coming soon)
Canine Pet Stylist Study Guide (download)

TIER 3 CANADIAN CANINE SPECIALIST SPORTING

(CCS-SP) A Certified Canine Specialist Sporting

- Required: CPPS Member in Good Standing
- Prerequisite 1; Canine Stylist Assistant
- Passing: Score of 70% to pass, 85% to qualify for Master

Books:
Groomer's Guide to Pet First Aid, Injuries and Health by Dr. Boyd Harrell, DVM
Theory of Five, by Melissa Verplank

Resources:
Canine Stylist Sporting Overview (download coming soon)
CKC Breed Standards and Images for Sporting Group 1 (link)

TIER 4 CANADIAN CANINE SPECIALIST TERRIER

(CCS-TR) A Certified Canine Specialist Terrier

- Required: CPPS Member in Good Standing
- Prerequisite 1: Canine Stylist Assistant
- Passing: Score of 70% to pass, 85% to qualify for Master
  Must complete both the Terrier Long-Legged and Short-Legged with at least one of the practical exams being hand stripped.
  
  Note that both Long-legged and Short-legged practical is required.

Books:
Groomer's Guide to Pet First Aid, Injuries and Health by Dr. Boyd Harrell, DVM
Theory of Five, by Melissa Verplank

Resources:
Canine Stylist Terrier Overview (download coming soon)
CKC Breed Standards and Images for Terrier Group 4 (link)

TIER 5 CANADIAN CANINE SPECIALIST NON-SPORTING

(CCS-NS) A Certified Canine Specialist Non-Sporting

- Required: CPPS Member in Good Standing
- Prerequisite 1: Canine Stylist Assistant
- Passing: Score of 70% to pass, 85% to qualify for Master

Books:
Notes form the Grooming Table by Melissa Verplank
Dog Grooming Simplified - Straight to The Point by Jodi Murphy

Resources:
Canine Stylist Non-Sporting Overview (download coming soon)
CKC Breed Standards and Images for Non-Sporting Group 6 (link)

TIER 6 CANADIAN CANINE MASTER STYLIST

(CCMS) A Certified Master Stylist

- Required: CPPS Member in Good Standing
- Prerequisite 1: Canine Stylist Assistant (85% or more)
- Prerequisite 2: Canine Specialist Non Sporting (85% or more)
- Prerequisite 3: Canine Specialist Sporting (85% or more)
- Prerequisite 4: Canine Specialist Terrier (85% or more)
- Passing: Final Master written exam score of 85%
- Cost: Written $125

Resources:
Canine Master Stylist Overview (download coming soon)
CKC Breed Standards and Images for Hounds Group 2 (link)
CKC Breed Standards and Images for Working Group 3 (link)
CKC Breed Standards and Images for Toy Group 5 (link)
CKC Breed Standards and Images for Herding Group 7 (link)

CPPS

Certification FAQ

Can I take more then one exam per day?

Yes you can take more then one exam per day. It is recommended that you do not take more then two in a day.

Do I have to do practical exams in order?

Their is nothing preventing a person from doing various practical exams out of order. However we do encourage doing the two practicals for the Canine Stylist Assistant first.

How old does the dog have to be for a practical exam?

Dogs must be a minimum of 1 year old and a maximum of 10 years of age.
Dogs younger than 1 year will not have had enough experience in the
grooming process and will not make a good candidate to use for
certification. Dogs over 10 years of age, may not be able to handle the
grooming process in the time frame that is allowed for certification. Old dogs must physically be able to handle up to two hours on a table.
Using a dog with good experience and manners in the grooming process
will be of great benefit to the groomer being tested.

How much coat does a dog have to have for a practical exam?

The dog must have enough coat to show a difference between before and after. For most breeds, this would require removing two inches of growth. For most breeds and healthy dogs, that would be eight weeks of growth since the last grooming.

Do I have to use a purebred dog for practical exam?

No, however it must resemble that breed and be able to be groomed according to the correct breed profile you are utilizing for the practical exam. For example, you may have a Bichon cross that looks like a Bichon and can be groomed like one, but isn't all white.

Is equipment supplied for practical exams?

No, the only thing that is supplied at most certification event host salons is a bathing tub and table. You must bring your shampoos/conditioners, mixing bottles, dryers and grooming equipment needed. It's also a good idea to bring your own towels, as some salons don't provide towels or may not have enough for the number of exams being done in a day.

Do I have to do written exams in order?

While CPPS does not have any rules against this the most successful candidates tend to write the exams in order. This is due to the study material being designed like a building block one on top of the other.

What if I fail or don't get 85% to qualify for Master Stylist?

You may retake both written and practical exams as soon as you feel you are ready to do so. We do recommend leaving a bit of time between to study and practice to improve your scores on the next attempt.

Why do I have to have 85% or more on the exams that prerequisites to be a Master Stylist?

A Master Stylist is considered to be a well above average groomer, they exemplify the highest standards, therefore their scores need to reflect that to qualify.

Do I have to take the Canine Pet Stylist exams if I want to be a Master Stylist?

You do not have to, however there are elements within both the written and practical exams for the Canine Pet Stylist that would assist you in achieving Master Stylist.

Can I pay for my student or apprentice's exam?

Due to the fact that each person needs to enroll individually for certification, they need to register for exams under their account. In this way they will have a record of exams taken. We however encourage you to support your students or apprentices by assisting them. Many shops reimburse with proof of passing an exam and/or attending an exam.

Can I host a certification event?

Yes, you may offer to host an event. Please contact our Certification Coordinator for more information.

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