Certification

Certification for grooming shows your clients that you are willing to continue to learn to offer them the highest quality of service possible. It also acts as validation to your skill and knowledge.

It is easy to say I groom cats. Anyone can say that. With education you can show your clients or potential clients that you consistently further your education to different levels of certification, to offer their feisty felines the best possible care.

Utilizing modern technology, education can reach cat stylists easily for groomers to further their knowledge and skills.

By creating high value courses, you can learn at your own pace in whatever location you are. All the courses are detailed with visual, written, video and lecture components. 

Educational support is available to guide you through any areas that you are unsure of with coaching through email, messenger or live.

Certification Process

ICATS offers several ways to advance your skills and attain different levels and styles of certification, should you choose. 

International Master Cat Groomer


Enroll in our exclusive Elite Cat Grooming Program and gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to become a certified master in feline grooming! Our comprehensive online program is perfect for anyone serious about cat grooming, from beginners to seasoned professionals who want to elevate their craft.

Why Choose This Course? Cats are unique, and grooming them requires specialized skills that go far beyond traditional pet grooming. This course is designed to give you a deep understanding of all aspects of cat grooming, ensuring you can handle any feline with ease and expertise. Upon completion, you will not only receive the prestigious International Cat Master Groomer designation, but also be prepared to offer premium grooming services that ensure a stress-free, safe, and beautiful grooming experience for every cat.

What’s Included in the Course? Our master-level program provides a full 360° education in feline grooming, covering:

  1. Anatomy & Physiology                                                                                                  Learn the unique anatomy of cats, enabling you to provide safe grooming while being mindful of delicate areas. You'll gain insight into the structure of their skin, fur, and body, so you can groom with confidence.
  2. Salon                                                                                                                                 Examine salon set up, appointments, client communication, salon equipment including tables, grooming equipment protection equipment for both cat and groomer, wound care for cat and groomer.
  3. Cat Behavior & Handling Techniques
    Discover the secrets to reading a cat’s body language and temperament. Our expert handling techniques ensure you can calm even the most anxious or fearful cats, making the grooming process a positive experience for all.
  4. Grooming Techniques & Styling
    From basic brushing and deshedding to complex styling, we cover it all! Learn advanced grooming techniques that go beyond maintenance to create beautiful, styled looks that keep cats comfortable and looking their best.
  5. Deshedding & Brushing
    Master the techniques needed to minimize shedding, reduce matting, and maintain a healthy, shiny coat. Our course provides in-depth guidance on tools and methods specifically tailored to feline fur.
  6. Bathing Techniques
    Bathing a cat is no small feat! We’ll guide you through the safest ways to bathe a cat, ensuring they feel secure and relaxed. You'll learn how to handle different fur types and keep the coat in peak condition.

Written & Practical Testing
Solidify your knowledge and test your skills with rigorous written and practical exams. Our testing ensures that, upon certification, you’re prepared to groom any cat with a master’s level of competence.

Why Get Your Master Cat Groomer Certification?                                                   In the competitive pet grooming industry, specialized cat grooming skills are in high demand. Cats have unique grooming needs, and clients seek out professionals who understand feline grooming deeply.

With our Master Cat Groomer designation, you’ll stand out as a true expert, able to provide services that regular groomers simply can’t match.

Enroll Today and Start Your Journey to Mastery!

Ready to turn your passion for cats into a fulfilling, well-paying career? Join our Elite Cat Groomer Master Certification Course today and become part of an elite group of feline grooming specialists. Don’t miss this chance to make a difference in the lives of cats and their owners—enroll now and take the first step towards your new career as a Master Cat Groomer!


Practical testing for the Masters Program

There are a series of practical exams performed on a live cat. The cat can be either short or long haired.

Testing can be done at a seminar, privately or long distance either over a live video program, video download or digital video e-mailed to the tester.

Test One: Brushing and Maintenance

  1. Brushing techniques for a long haired cat
  2. Brushing techniques for a short haired cat
  3. Proper demonstration of a slicker brush, comb, carding\deshedding tools, flea comb, zoom groom
  4. Proper removal of a matt using tools designated by the tester
  5. Eye cleaning
  6. Ear cleaning 
  7. Nail trimming
  8. Anus/vulva cleaning/trimming

Test Two: Grooming

  1. Sanitary shave
  2. Belly shave
  3. Finished full groom presentation

The style of the test groom can be one of the following;

Progression Groom

The tail cat be styled either as a lion tail or spiral. A full tail is not acceptable.

Test Three: Bathing

  1. Preparedness
  2. Bathing techniques
  3. Burrito
  4. Drying
  5. Final Cleanliness

Test Four: Handling

The student will be marked throughout the groom on handling skills. The student will also have to demonstrate the following: (a stuffed animal may be used for some of the handling techniques)

  1. Removal from a carry kennel and replacing in the carry kennel
  2. Technique to catch a cat that has bolted
  3. Application of different muzzles and different ways to prevent the cat from biting you
  4. Different uses of a towel
  5. Body language and what different signals mean

No marks will be lost if the test groom requires an extra person to help hold, but the assistant must be quiet and wait for instruction from the student.

Animals can be unpredictable, with this in mind, the tester will take into consideration how the cat behaves and how the student handles the behavior.

Seals and Distinction 

Release Date: November 24, 2024

Elevate Your Skills with Our Advanced Cat Grooming Certification Program

Are you a dedicated cat groomer looking to push your skills to the next level? With our unique, modular Advanced Cat Grooming Certification Program, you can tailor your education, gain new expertise, and earn prestigious designations as you advance. Designed for certified groomers and experienced professionals, this program allows you to specialize in high-demand areas of feline grooming, mastering each skill at your own pace.

How Does It Work?

Our certification stream is built on individual courses that cover specialized aspects of cat grooming. Each course is designed to provide in-depth expertise on a specific topic, and upon completion of written and practical exams, you’ll earn a Seal designation recognizing your proficiency in that area. Whether it’s mastering deshedding techniques, grooming the matted cat, senior cat, or advanced handling, each Seal you achieve marks a new level in your grooming career.

Earn Progressive Designations with Every Achievement

With each Seal designation, you get closer to earning an exclusive tiered designation that represents your level of expertise:

  • Bronze Designation: Complete your first three Seal courses and become a Bronze-level groomer! This designation demonstrates advanced foundational skills and an investment in specialized training.
  • Silver, Gold, and Beyond: Continue through the program and achieve additional designations as you accumulate more Seals. Each tier represents a new level of proficiency and dedication to the art of feline grooming, making you stand out in a competitive industry.

Available Specialized Courses

Each Seal course dives deeply into a specific grooming skill, giving you both the knowledge and the practical training needed to excel. Our current offerings include:

  • Handling and Cat Behavior Techniques
    Improve your ability to safely and confidently handle cats with a course on reading body language, handling stress signals, and maintaining a calm grooming environment.
  • Precision Grooming Techniques
    Learn basic and advanced techniques to elevate your grooming to an advanced level. Mastering clipper and scissor techniques specifically designed for feline coats.
  • Deshedding & Matting Solutions
    Specialized methods for reducing shedding, preventing matting, and working with challenging fur types, providing clients with longer-lasting grooming results.
  • Bathing and Drying Techniques                                                  Learn several bathing and drying techniques to apply to different temperaments and personalities. 

Why Choose Our Seal Certification Program?

This program is more than just a certification; it’s a pathway to excellence. By progressing through each Seal course and designation level, you’ll not only expand your expertise but also set yourself apart as an elite grooming professional. Cat owners are actively searching for groomers with advanced knowledge, and your Seal and Designation levels show your commitment to high standards in feline care.

Join Today and Set Your Career Apart

Take the first step towards becoming a top-tier, specialized cat grooming expert. Start with one course or plan your pathway through each designation level—the choice is yours. With our Advanced Cat Grooming Certification Program, you’ll gain the credentials, confidence, and skills that make you the expert cat owners seek. Start earning your Seals today and watch your career soar!


Practical Testing for the Seal/Distinction Program

Each specialty course may have a written testing or a practical testing component or both written and practical testing. The written testing components are done throughout the course as quizzes after each section.

The practical testing components are either video submission or live feed testing.

To attain a seal, all written and practical must be done and passed. 

Manuals

Three manuals are included with the Elite Cat Grooming Program in PDF form as a compliment to the program,  but are also available on amazon worldwide. The manuals are available for anyone who would like learn basic skills without certification. Perfect for any groomer to gain an understanding of cat grooming for personal cats or a few cat clients without the required dedication for a full certification program.

Manual 1: The Cat, The Groomer

  • What it takes to be a cat groomer
  • Cats
  • Anatomy
  • Medical conditions, parasites and zoonosis
  • Poisonings

Manual 2: Cat Talk and Groomer Hands

  • Environment
  • Equipment
  • Body Language
  • Handling techniques

Manual 3: The Art of Cat Grooming

  • Grooming techniques
  • Grooming the cat
  • Bathing
  • Styles
  • Creative


Veterinary Staff

ICATS has developed a specialized program for Veterinary professionals to attain an ICATS certification in grooming pets under anesthetic.

Instructors Program

An instructors program is being developed through ICATS for groomers wishing to further their career by becoming instructors for ICATS.