Dog grooming schools in Tennessee

Quick answer: we verified 3 dog grooming schools in Tennessee on their own websites: Crossroads Campus Grooming School, Glamour Grooming Elite Academy, Concord School of Grooming. You can also train in a paid pet store academy or take an online course with a local mentor. Here they are side by side.

Compare options How to choose Shops to ask FAQ

Ways to learn grooming in Tennessee

Crossroads Campus Grooming School

Nashville, TN

Cost: $5,665 tuition plus $975 books and tools
Length: 6 months
Start dates: January or July
Address: 707 Monroe Street, Nashville, TN 37208

School page

Glamour Grooming Elite Academy

Memphis, TN

Cost: $4,500
Length: 6 months
Format: In person, hands-on

School page

Concord School of Grooming

Knoxville, TN

Cost: $7,900
Length: 12 weeks, Tuesday to Friday
Address: 1310 Hollywood Rd, Knoxville, TN 37909

School page

PetSmart Grooming Academy

In Tennessee: PetSmart salons

Cost: paid program
Length: 4 weeks, 160 hours, after you bathe 125+ dogs as a bather
Format: in the salon

Program page

Petco pet stylist training

In Tennessee: Petco grooming salons

Cost: paid program
Length: 20-week certification program
Format: in the salon with a mentor

Program page

Animal Behavior College

Online, with a mentor groomer near you

Cost: $3,499 paid in full
Length: 6 to 12 months, 150+ hands-on hours
Format: online lessons, then an externship at a local salon

Program page

Penn Foster Pet Grooming Certificate

Online only

Cost: $799
Length: 2 months fast track, about 5 months average
Format: self-paced online. You still need hands-on practice.

Program page

Schools in nearby states: North Carolina, Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia.

Costs and lengths are from each program's own page, checked Oct 25 to Nov 4, 2026. Blank means the program does not publish it. Always confirm with the program before you sign up.

How to choose

• Want to earn while you learn? Look at PetSmart or Petco. Both describe their academy as paid training in the salon.
• Need to keep your job? An online course works, but plan for 150+ hours of hands-on practice with a real groomer.
• Want a full in-person course? Compare the Tennessee schools above. Ask about total cost, tools and how many dogs you groom.
• Ask every program: how many dogs will I groom, is a tool kit included, and do you help with job placement?
• Try it first: ask a local shop below if you can work as a bather for a few weeks.

Tennessee shops to ask about bather jobs or an apprenticeship

These shops were named a Top Grooming Business by The Daily Groomer. We have not confirmed which ones are hiring.

• Aqua Dog Grooming etc., Chattanooga
• East Memphis Pet Resort, Memphis
• Hiwassee Grooming Parlor, Lebanon
• Luxe Pet Parlor, Crossville
• Paws and Whiskers Pet Salon, Springfield
• Shear Design Salon & Spaw, New Market

See all Tennessee groomers

License and pay in Tennessee, in short

• License: We have not yet confirmed whether Tennessee requires a license for groomers or grooming businesses, so we do not say either way. Before you groom for pay or open a salon, check with the Tennessee agriculture department and with your city or county about business licenses and zoning.
• Pay: animal caretakers in Tennessee, the federal group that includes groomers, had a median pay of $30,550 a year (BLS, May 2025). This does not count self-employed groomers.

FAQ

Are there dog grooming schools in Tennessee?

Yes. We verified 3 on their own websites: Crossroads Campus Grooming School, Glamour Grooming Elite Academy, Concord School of Grooming. You can also train in a pet store academy (PetSmart, Petco) or online with a local mentor.

How much does dog grooming school cost in Tennessee?

Posted prices as of Oct 2026: Crossroads Campus Grooming School: $5,665 tuition plus $975 books and tools; Glamour Grooming Elite Academy: $4,500; Concord School of Grooming: $7,900. Online courses list $799 (Penn Foster) to $3,499 (Animal Behavior College). PetSmart and Petco describe their academies as paid training. Ask any school for the full cost.

How long does it take to become a dog groomer?

As of Oct 2026: Crossroads Campus Grooming School: 6 months; Glamour Grooming Elite Academy: 6 months; Concord School of Grooming: 12 weeks, Tuesday to Friday. Online courses take about 2 months fast track up to 6 to 12 months with hands-on hours. PetSmart's academy is 4 weeks after time as a bather. Petco's program is 20 weeks.

What do groomers earn in Tennessee?

Animal caretakers in Tennessee, the federal group that includes groomers, had a median pay of $30,550 a year (BLS, May 2025). Self-employed groomers are not counted.