Certificate vs. Certification
What Pet Professionals (and Pet Owners) Need to Know
Let’s talk about something important that affects the entire pet care industry especially pet groomers and the families who rely on them.
The word “certified” gets thrown around a lot, but not everyone who uses it has truly earned that title. Unfortunately, some people and organizations within the pet grooming space are making misleading claims. And it’s not just confusing, it's hurting professionals who’ve done the work.
It’s disappointing when this kind of misinformation comes from leaders within our own field. We must do better. Because when we don’t hold the line, we diminish the value of the credentials others have earned through time, testing, and effort.
Let’s break it down in simple terms.
Certificate of Attendance
A document that shows someone attended a class, workshop, or seminar. No test. No evaluation. Just proof that you were there.
This is professional development, not certification.
Certificate from a School
This means the person completed an academic program. These programs are typically approved by the Department of Education and require significant time and investment.
This is continuing education and a foundation, still not yet certification.
Certificate from an Organization
These are usually internal, used for employee onboarding or training. They often don’t carry weight outside of that organization.
This is skills-based recognition, not professional credentialing, and this is what much of the pet grooming industry currently provides, and still not done properly.
But here’s where the confusion starts.
People see the word “certificate” and assume it means someone is certified. It doesn’t.
What Real Certification Looks Like
A true certification is something entirely different. It must:
✔️ Be earned after completing formal education (such as a diploma)
✔️ Be issued by a recognized organization
✔️ Require testing and skill evaluation
✔️ Include an expiration date
✔️ Require ongoing CEUs to remain active
Why does this matter?
Grooming isn’t just about appearance only, even though the majority of the industry feels it is, it’s about pet safety, hygiene, and well-being, first and foremost.
When people claim to be “certified” without having gone through testing or without continuing education, it damages the industry, and it puts pets at risk.
The viral videos of poorly handled grooms or shaming clients?
Those are not certified professionals.
Those are the result of loose standards and a lack of accountability.
At WPGA, We Do It Differently
We don’t use the word “certified” lightly.
At WPGA, students complete formal diploma programs. Then, to become certified, they undergo testing through the International Association of Professional Esthetic Groomers (IAPEG). Certification isn’t forever, it is not a right, it requires CEUs and renewals.
Why?
Because pets deserve care from highly skilled, well-trained, and truly certified professionals.
And that’s what we’re committed to delivering, every single day.
Want to know what real certification looks like or how to start the process?
👉 credentialing programs
🎥 Watch the video: