AKC Professional Grooming Credential (PGC)
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Raising the Bar:
Why Grooming Salons Need Industry Credentials Now More Than Ever
For most grooming salon owners, hiring a new groomer can feel like a gamble. Despite a flood of resumes claiming “years of experience,” there’s no way to know if a new hire can truly handle dogs safely and professionally until they’re already on the job — scissors in hand, working on a client’s beloved pet.
This isn’t a rare frustration. It’s a systemic issue in our industry, driven by the fact that dog grooming remains an unregulated profession with zero formal barrier to entry. Anyone can claim to be a groomer. There’s no license, no national exam, no unified training standard. For salon owners, this means you're often flying blind when it comes to evaluating new talent.
The Hidden Costs of Guesswork
When there’s no baseline credentialing, hiring becomes trial and error — and errors can be expensive. An underqualified groomer can result in:
Client complaints and bad reviews
Safety risks for pets and staff
High turnover and retraining costs
A damaged reputation that takes months or years to repair
For a small business, even one bad hire can leave a lasting impact.
The Case for Grooming Credentialing
What the grooming industry needs — and what other skilled trades already have — is a standardized way to verify a candidate’s core knowledge and competence before they touch a dog.
That’s where credentialing programs like the AKC Professional Grooming Credential (PGC) come in.
This program sets a national benchmark for grooming knowledge, requiring verifiable experience, education, and the successful completion of a proctored exam. The exam evaluates not just textbook knowledge, but working understanding of grooming safety, tools, breed characteristics, and canine anatomy — the very things you hope every employee knows before they walk through your door.
Why It Matters for Salon Owners
When a groomer holds a credential like the AKC PGC, you’re no longer guessing. You’re hiring someone who has met a defined, independent standard of professionalism. That translates into:
Faster onboarding
Less risk to your salon’s reputation
Greater peace of mind for you, your team, and your clients
Credentialing doesn’t replace your judgment or the need for hands-on training — but it gives you a solid starting point. It helps you identify groomers who are serious about their craft and have taken measurable steps to validate their skills.
It’s Time to Lead the Change
As salon owners, we can either continue accepting the status quo — inconsistent skills, costly hiring mistakes, and an unregulated pipeline — or we can demand more.
By prioritizing credentialed groomers and encouraging your staff to pursue certification, you’re helping to raise the standard for the entire profession.
Because every pet deserves a safe, competent groom — and every salon deserves a team they can trust.
What is the Professional Grooming Credential (PGC)?
The Professional Grooming Credential (PGC) establishes a new benchmark for professionalism in the pet grooming industry. While the credential doesn’t serve as an endorsement of an individual, it signifies that the groomer has completed a rigorous program and demonstrated standardized knowledge and skills. By evaluating standards of care, safety, and grooming competencies, the PGC designation recognizes those who exemplify best practices in every aspect of their career.
How Does the PGC Compare to Other Grooming Certifications?
The PGC Exam is the first standardized, third-party proctored examination for groomers in the United States. It measures essential competencies in safety, professionalism, and industry best practices. Developed using a comprehensive job task analysis and led by psychometric experts, the PGC is designed to complement and support other grooming certifications by ensuring core standards are met across the profession.
What is Tested in the PGC Examination?
The PGC Exam covers a wide range of topics to ensure a comprehensive assessment of grooming knowledge and practices:
Professional Dog Groomer Safety: 12%
Pet Safety Professional Practices: 12%
Safe and Humane Handling of Pets: 12%
Safe and Humane Behavior Management: 12%
Dog Grooming Sanitation Procedures: 13%
Description and Physical Characteristics of Dogs: 13%
Professional Pet Grooming Practices: 13%
Professionalism and Business Soft Skills: 13%
How Were the Exam Topics Chosen?
The PGC exam is based on the American Kennel Club (AKC) National Core Professional Dog Grooming Educational Standards, designed to establish clear and evolving expectations for professional groomers. These standards include six educational domains and eight core objectives, reflecting input from industry leaders like the Professional Pet Groomers and Stylists Alliance.
Exam Format
Questions: 100 multiple-choice questions
Format: Live remote proctoring with a 3-hour time limit
Am I Eligible to Apply for the PGC Exam?
You can qualify for the exam through one of three pathways:
1. Work Experience
At least 360 hours of verifiable grooming experience within the past 18 months.
Examples of verification:
Business or employer references
Licenses
2. Education
25 hours of verified grooming education in the past five years.
180 hours of hands-on experience in a salon or similar environment.
Examples of verification:
Receipts, badge scans, or instructor authorization
Certification through recognized organizations (e.g., AKC, NDGAA)
3. Relevant Experience
At least 240 hours of verifiable grooming experience in the past five years.
Examples of verification:
Competition history or show experience
Published industry content
Event speaking, judging, or educator roles
By earning the PGC Credential, you join a community of groomers dedicated to professional excellence and advancing the grooming industry.
View AKC PGC Resource guide here
For system expectations and
more information on the PGC Exam click here:
Exam will remain locked until application is approved by AKC Admins.
Please contact Groomer@akc.org with questions.