Dog grooming schools in West Virginia

Quick answer: we could not verify a stand-alone dog grooming school in West Virginia. You can learn in a paid pet store academy, take an online course with a local mentor, or go to a school in a nearby state (Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Virginia). Here are the options side by side.

Compare options How to choose Shops to ask FAQ

Ways to learn grooming in West Virginia

PetSmart Grooming Academy

In West Virginia: 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 West Virginia: 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: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, 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? Look at schools in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Virginia. Ask about total cost, tools, housing 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.

West Virginia 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.

• Grooming At Home, Romney

See all West Virginia groomers

License and pay in West Virginia, in short

• License: We have not yet confirmed whether West Virginia 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 West Virginia agriculture department and with your city or county about business licenses and zoning.
• Pay: animal caretakers in West Virginia, the federal group that includes groomers, had a median pay of $28,550 a year (BLS, May 2025). This does not count self-employed groomers.

FAQ

Are there dog grooming schools in West Virginia?

We could not verify a stand-alone grooming school in West Virginia. You can train in a paid pet store academy (PetSmart, Petco), learn online with a local mentor, or go to a school in a nearby state.

How much does dog grooming school cost in West Virginia?

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?

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 West Virginia?

Animal caretakers in West Virginia, the federal group that includes groomers, had a median pay of $28,550 a year (BLS, May 2025). Self-employed groomers are not counted.