Regulations and the Grooming Industry: How to Choose The Right Groomer for You

-Christina Routh, CCE, CPG

From the perspective of the average pet owner, the grooming industry can seem downright mystifying. While social media platforms have helped give people a glimpse behind the scenes, there are still many questions and assumptions about the industry as a whole and not many of resources that offer information to clients who want to know more.

Today, we will be discussing the topic of grooming regulations and certifications in the United States. This will include certification, education, and licensing (or lack thereof) within the industry both as a general overview and from our perspective as an individual grooming salon.

Then and Now

Historically an aspiring groomer would learn as an apprentice under an established groomer or breeder to learn the skills of the trade. The modern age has seen a huge shift in the industry as a whole as grooming education is now widely accessible to everyone via the internet. Both the traditional and modern methods have their pros and cons. Many parts of the traditional grooming process were dictated by tradition, an apprentice would learn from their mentor who learned from their mentor and so on. While hands-on education is an important factor to a well-rounded grooming education, isolated groomers were often restricted to a narrow realm of educational avenues when it came to acquiring and utilizing new information and practices as our industry knowledge shifted and grew. After all, "you don't know what you don't know." Many groomers struggle to adjust to the shifts in education and science that affect how they approach the craft, especially when they directly contradict their mentor's teachings or traditions.

The wider accessibility to digital grooming tutorials, books, and videos has ensured that established groomers can continue to grow their skill sets and stay updated on scientific and industry developments. This has been an incredible way for the industry to share knowledge and move forward as science grows and changes, however the easy accessibility of grooming tutorials and literature has resulted in a rise of grooming businesses being operated and staffed by those without any professional training, industry experience, or oversight.

Cosmetology vs. Grooming

A common misconception about the grooming industry has to do with licensing and educational requirements. Most clients operate with the assumption that groomers must meet an educational and licensing standard similar to that of human hairstylists. Here in the state of Texas, a cosmetologist must complete a Cosmetology Operator course consisting of 1,000 hours of instruction at a licensed school and both a written and practical exam. This education is not limited to practical techniques, but also safety and sanitation. To legally provide services to clients, human hairstylists must have the appropriate license or perform those services at their licensed school under the supervision of an instructor.

In the grooming industry as a whole, there is no legal licensing requirement other than having a business license and meeting the minimum safety and sanitation standard of any animal care business per local health code or agricultural laws. There are no educational requirements, no certification or industry license, and no safety or sanitation requirements above local and state health codes. This means that anyone may open and operate a grooming business and anyone may call themselves a professional pet groomer, even if they have no education or training. While this means that the grooming industry is fairly accessible to just about anyone, this also means that the person providing grooming services can have little to no professional training or oversight.

The lack of a standardized education, license, or certification creates a wide spectrum of knowledge within the industry in regards to standard grooming practices like breed specific grooms, terminology, using tools and products safely, fundamental knowledge of disease prevention, sanitization, understanding canine behavior, and safe handling skills.

Choosing a Qualified Professional

All of these factors are so important when choosing a pet groomer who fits your needs. Good reviews are great when finding a salon that has a great reputation, but there are additional things to ask about when vetting a grooming professional.

Here are some great examples of things to look for;

• Grooming Certification through an accredited grooming school or certifying body such as American Kennel Club (AKC), International Professional Groomers (IPG), Animal Behavioral College (ABC), Whole Pet Academy (WPA), or International Society of Canine Cosmetologists (ISCC).

• Safety focused certifications such as Pet CPR and First Aid or AKC S.A.F.E. certification

• Business License and Insurance

• Continued education and trade show attendance

• A clean grooming environment

• Security cameras overseeing the grooming area

• At least two doors or barriers between where the dogs stay and the outside to reduce the risk of escape

Here are some helpful example questions to ask;

• "How long have you been grooming and where did you get your grooming education?"

• "Do you get additional certifications or continued education?"

• "How do you clean your grooming area between dogs?"

• "Do you have cameras in the salon?"

• "What do you do in the event of a pets' medical emergency?"

Moving Forward

The grooming industry is starting to embrace a future where licensing and certifications are the standard. While there are differing opinions on how this should be achieved, more groomers are pushing for us to set a higher standard. As a pet owner, you can set the minimum expectations for what you want from a grooming professional. Having access to valuable information about the industry helps owners make educated choices regarding who they entrust their pets to.

At our salon, all staff members must earn and maintain an up-to-date Pet CPR and First Aid certification. We also require all groomers to earn their Certified Professional Groomer title from International Professional Groomers within 6 months of employment or completion of in-house apprenticeship. On top of that, groomers are also required to attend a minimum of two continued education certificate courses per year. This is to not only establish a standard in safety, handling, and education but also stay up to date with new techniques and knowledge.

These expectations not only ensure that we have the skills and knowledge to groom our clients safely and mindfully, it also gives our clients peace of mind in knowing their dogs are in safe, qualified, and educated hands. Hopefully the future of pet grooming will see that all pet owners will have the same level of comfort and confidence in the professionals they trust with their pets.