Pet Ownership & Careers/Pet Care Grooming & Care

Professional Pet Grooming Certificate 

Whether you're just starting out, switching careers, or expanding your pet care skills, the Pet Grooming Career Certificate Program offers a complete pathway into the professional grooming industry. This comprehensive program combines flexible online learning with hands-on training in a real grooming salon, allowing you to learn at your own pace and build job-ready skills step by step. Upon enrollment, you'll begin your journey with engaging online modules on breed identification, safety, anatomy, sanitation, and canine first aid/CPR. After successful completion of the online modules, you'll transition into our open lab salon, where you'll gain real-world grooming experience working with live pets under expert supervision. As you progress, earn digital badges that showcase your growing mastery from essential grooming tasks to advanced styling and emergency care. To enrich your experience even further, students also have access to exclusive in-person workshops offered throughout the year. These sessions cover specialty topics like hands-on canine CPR training, creative grooming, business basics, and advanced techniques led by guest professionals, giving you extra exposure to trending skills and industry insights. Graduates complete the program with a professional portfolio, a capstone credential, and the confidence to succeed in salons, vet clinics, mobile grooming services, or as independent business owners. 

Ready to learn more? Complete our online form or contact us at 319-398-1022.

Upcoming Offerings:
Registration opens August 1st.

Tuition Assistance:
Yes. Full tuition assistance is available to support your career goals. Fill out our referral form at www.kirkwood.edu/cefunding.
*Some eligibility restrictions may apply.

Industry Credentials Earned:
None. This program does not award any nationally recognized certification upon completion.

Careers:
Source: EMSI Career Coach 2020, Kirkwood Community College Region
Pet Groomer
Starting hourly earnings: $16.09

Entrance Requirements/Prerequisites:
Students must be at least 18 years old.

Delivery Method:
Hands-on Lab

Length of Program and CEU Credits:
376 hours, 45.12 CEUs

Program Completion Requirements:
This is a pass/fail certificate. Student will need to demonstrate proficiency in all course competencies within the class.

Course Objectives:

• Identify each grooming tool and explain its use.
• Demonstrate clipper care and maintenance.
• Understand the blade care routine and recognize blade lengths.
• Learn proper scissor techniques and handling.
• Identify common AKC breeds and their temperaments.
• Identify and recall basic canine and feline anatomy.
• Learn the proper way to safely restrain animals as a grooming assistant.
• Demonstrate bathing techniques for a canine and a feline, including properly cleaning facial wrinkles and using drying procedures.
• Explain the function of anal sacs and the importance of maintenance.
• Demonstrate an understanding of regulations and customer relations skills required for a successful pet grooming business.
• Name and recognize common external parasites of small animals.
• Prepare, dilute, and administer flea and tick dips on selected animals, as well as understand and explain flea and tick eradication treatments for the yard and home.
• Outline the use of monthly parasite control products.
• Clean and sanitize grooming lab and equipment to comply with state regulations.
• Explain Iowa Code Chapter 162 as it relates to operation of a pet-related business.
• Identify and implement the five most common types of dog grooming styles.
• Learn to correctly trim nails and clean ears.
• Identify the five basic styles of the following areas: head, ear, feet, and tail.

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course, students should be able to properly groom a dog using the proper tools, technique, and safety protocols.

Other Items to Know About this Course:
NA

Pathway to Credit Program:
None.

Related Information: 
www.kirkwood.edu/petgrooming