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Paragon professional groomer certification program depicted by young woman looking at computer screen reading a grooming lesson on clippering and scissoring with a photo of a dog being groomed with a guard combParagon professional groomer certification program depicted by young woman looking at computer screen reading a grooming lesson on clippering and scissoring with a photo of a dog being groomed with a guard comb
Home » Online Professional Dog Grooming Certification

Online Professional Dog Grooming Certification

We bring the on-campus learning experience to you. Our Professional Dog Groomer Certification programs are the most comprehensive remote study courses developed for the pet grooming industry. This web-based learning experience represents the culmination of over 30 years of real-world expertise at our nationally-renowned dog grooming school. Founder and Certified Master Groomer, Melissa Verplank, and her team of exceptional trainers have created this system specifically for remote learning guided by our experienced Mentors.

We’ll Coach You!

What makes this program so special is that every Professional Groomer Certification Student is assigned a Mentor who will help you along every step of your education journey. Private Facebook groups and Paragon Alumni are both examples of additional resources you will be a part of and have access to. You may be learning remotely, but you are certainly not alone!

Our Proven System

This program is perfect for:

  • Individual aspiring groomers looking for a career, whether it is your first or maybe even a second career later in life.
  • Employers who are tired of looking for existing groomer talent. It’s time to stop looking for “groomers” and start hiring for great attitude. Then we’ll help you train them for the job!
  • Multi-unit retailers providing professional grooming services for their customers will love incorporating this program to create a custom-made team.

The Professional Groomer Certification programs are designed to help you become comfortable with pets, equipment, and techniques necessary to be competent in a professional grooming setting. Emphasis is placed on developing grooming skills while concentrating on proper breed profile, increasing speed, efficiency, and developing your maximum grooming potential. The programs are broken into three levels. Each level is designed to build your skills in a natural, but comprehensive progression. You must complete the preliminary program levels before moving on to the later levels.

ParagonPros

Level 1:

Paragon Groom Tech
Certification

Trained in safety, product use, bathing, drying, de-matting, deshedding, nails, ears, sani and feet. Ready to launch your bath & brush business!
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Level 2:

Paragon Pet Groomer
Certification

Trained in full haircuts using clippers, guard combs, all types of shears, plus canine anatomy, patterns and stylized legs. Ready to perform routine haircuts in a salon!
Learn More

Pro Level:

Advanced Stylist
Certification
Trained in advance trims, techniques and problem-solving for Doodles, mixed breeds, geriatric and difficult dogs. Maximize profit - upskill to become a "Pro" Stylist.
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Pro Level:

Breed Standard Stylist
Certification
Trained in AKC Breed Standard advanced trims and techniques, including hand-stripping. Expand your client base & prep to pursue Master certification!
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Wondering Which Pro Level Program Is Right for You?

Together or Separate: Our Pro Series Takes You to the Next Level!

  • NEW! Pro Level – Advanced Stylist Certification
    Designed for working pet groomers who want to elevate their everyday grooming skills, the Pro Level – Advanced Stylist Certification Program focuses on the dogs most commonly seen in today’s salons. Students learn advanced handling techniques, efficiency strategies, doodle and mixed-breed coat care, puppy and geriatric grooming considerations, client communication, finishing techniques, and creative ways to add polish and style without adding time to the groom. This program is an excellent next step after completing Levels 1 and 2, or as a professional development program for experienced groomers.
  • Pro Level – Breed Standard Stylist Certification
    The Pro Level – Breed Standard Stylist Certification Program is designed for groomers who want to deepen their breed-specific knowledge and work toward higher levels of professional achievement. Students develop skills based on AKC Breed Standards, with practical assignments evaluated accordingly. This program is ideal for those pursuing AKC or NDGAA Master Groomer Certification, interested in competitive grooming, or working closely with breeders. Access to AKC-recognized breed-standard dogs is required to complete the program.

Check out Paragon President Cara Evans’ article on the differences between the two Pro Level tracks here: The Difference Between a Pro Advanced Stylist and an Pro Breed Standard Stylist.

How Our Professional Groomer Certification Programs Work

Enroll Online

You will get access to the online certification curriculum materials for the Level you selected, including videos, quizzes, and tests. You will be assigned an instructor.

Start Work

Each Certification Level is comprised of modules, and each module has a study guide to lead you through, step by step. You will use a blend of illustrated textbooks & online content.

Video Tutorials

Many of the modules include video lessons to better illustrate the techniques you're learning. Watch the pros at work in order to perfect your technique!

Online Tests

Each lesson gives you a chance to take (and repeat, if needed) a practice quiz before performing the online graded unit test. All tests are open book.

Practice

Each Certification Level has practical assignments to help reinforce the skills you're learning. You will upload photos of your work for grading, and maintain a grooming tracker for final grade.

Congrats, Grad!

After completing each Certification Level, you'll receive your certificate and be ready to work -- or to start the next Level (or both!) We offer post-grad support and professional development for our Alumni.

Explore Payment Options with Affirm

Transparent
Affirm tells you the total amount you’ll pay up front. That number will never go up.
Flexible
You choose the payment schedule that works best for you.
Fair
Affirm doesn’t charge late fees or hidden fees of any kind, ever.

Everything You Need for Success!

Highly-trained Industry Professionals as Your Mentors
Our Mentors are hand selected by their leadership and qualified through our rigorous assessment process. Our Mentors are not only great groomers, but they must also possess leadership skills and an attention to detail in all aspects of grooming, people, and customer experience skills.
Comprehensive Curriculum Books & Videos
Our Professional Groomer Certificate Program Coaches provide expert assistance in executing the techniques outlined in Notes from the Grooming Table and Theory of 5, written by renowned grooming industry expert and Founder of the Paragon School of Pet Grooming, Melissa Verplank. In addition to text books and a comprehensive set of video lessons, students will also receive a welcome packet and Study Guide(s) that will lead them through the entire program, step by step.
Required Equipment in a Convenient Bundle
Students are required to have specific equipment and textbooks before they begin their training. We recommend that students purchase their tools directly from Paragon to ensure equipment quality and alignment with their program. Note: Practice pets need to be supplied by the student.

Explore Our Course Outlines

Click the button below to request more in-depth information for each level of our comprehensive online Professional Dog Groomer Certification programs. We’ll provide details on the education experience, the length of time each segment takes, tips, pricing as well as our policies. We look forward to hearing from you.

Request More Info

Have additional questions? Please contact us. We welcome the opportunity to speak with you more about your future career.