How to start dog grooming: our national guide
There are 4 common ways in: grooming school, an apprenticeship, a paid big-box academy, or an online course plus hands-on practice. This guide covers what is the same in every state. Each state page above covers that state’s schools, shops, license rules and pay.
BLS says pet groomers typically learn under an experienced groomer, and can also attend grooming schools.[2]
Your first steps
- Pick how you want to learn. School, apprenticeship, a big-box academy or online. In our survey of 4,000+ groomers, 34% learned at a grooming school and 22% started in a big-box training program.[1]
- Check your state’s rules. Some states license grooming businesses. Your state page says what we could confirm. Also ask your city or county about business licenses and zoning.
- Compare cost and time. Look at what each school posts, and ask for the total cost in writing.
- Get hands-on reps. Practice on many breeds with different coat types. Ask local shops about bathing roles or an apprenticeship.[1]
- Keep learning. Workshops, seminars and optional certification (for example from the NDGAA) help you grow after your first job.[1]
The 4 paths
Path 1
Grooming school
Programs, prices and schedules vary by school. Each state page lists the schools we verified and what each one posts.
- Cost (as of Oct 2026) Varies by school. Ask for the total in writing.
- Time (as of Oct 2026) Varies by school.
Path 2
Apprenticeship or on-the-job training
Work under an experienced groomer or grooming business owner and learn as you go. Many salons offer this.[1]
- Cost (as of Oct 2026) Varies by salon. Ask the shop.
- Time (as of Oct 2026) Varies by salon. Ask the shop.
Path 3
Big-box grooming academy
Start as a bather and train on the job, paid, at a national pet retailer. Ask about any training contract first. Our guide notes some big-box academies lock you into a contract, and breaking it could cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars.[1]
- Cost (as of Oct 2026) Paid training. PetSmart gives graduates a toolkit worth over $500.[3]
- Time (as of Oct 2026) PetSmart: bathe 125+ dogs, then a 4 week, 160 hour Grooming Academy, then groom 200 dogs.[3] Petco: a paid, 20 week certification program.[4]
PetSmart salon careers · Petco grooming careers
Path 4
Online course plus hands-on practice
Learn the theory online at your own pace, then get practice on real dogs, for example through an externship or a salon job.[6]
- Cost (as of Oct 2026) $799 (Penn Foster)[5] to $997 (Groomers University Bootcamp).[6]
- Time (as of Oct 2026) 2 months fast track to 5 months average (Penn Foster).[5]
Online programs
Online courses teach the theory. Plan to get hands-on practice at a salon too.
Penn Foster
- Cost (as of Oct 2026) $799 listed price[5]
- Length 2 months fast track, 5 months average[5]
- Format Online, self-paced, start anytime[5]
Penn Foster notes that a certificate program does not typically qualify a student for employment on its own.[5]
Groomers University
- Cost (as of Oct 2026) $997 Groomers Bootcamp Certification Course[6]
- Format Online, self-guided modules[6]
Groomers University encourages externships or in person training after its courses.[6]
How to choose a grooming school
- Get the total cost in writing: tuition, tool kit, books and any application fee.
- Ask how many hours you will spend grooming real dogs, and how many dogs you will groom.
- Check the schedule: full days on set weekdays, or self-paced.
- Ask about class size and how much one on one time you get with an instructor.
- Ask about the refund policy before you pay.
- Ask if they help with job placement or externships after you finish.
- Visit in person and watch a class if you can.
- If you plan to work for yourself, ask how the course prepares you for your state’s rules.
What you will learn
Grooming schools usually cover basic grooming techniques, advanced styling, breed-specific grooming, animal behavior and handling, and health and safety.[1]
License rules differ by state
Some states license grooming businesses or facilities. For example, Connecticut law says no person may run a grooming business or grooming facility without a license from the Commissioner of Agriculture.[9] Georgia’s Department of Agriculture rules count a grooming shop as a kennel, and a kennel needs a license.[10] See our Connecticut and Georgia pages for details.
Where we have not confirmed a state’s rules, the state page says so. Before you groom for pay or open a salon, check with your state agriculture department and with your city or county about business licenses and zoning.
Certification is different
Certification is a credential, not a requirement to work.[1] For example, the NDGAA awards National Certified Master Groomer (NCMG) status after written and practical exams.[11] The written exams are taken online through AKC Canine College.[12]
FAQ
Do I need a certification to work as a groomer?
No. Certification is not always required to work as a groomer, but it can add credibility. Groups such as the NDGAA offer certification programs.[1]
Can I learn dog grooming online?
Yes, but plan for hands-on practice. Penn Foster and Groomers University teach online, and Groomers University encourages externships or in person training after its courses.[6]
Can I get paid while I train?
Big-box salons train on the job. PetSmart has bathers bathe 125+ dogs before a paid 4 week, 160 hour Grooming Academy. Petco says every Petco Certified Pet Stylist begins with a paid, 20 week certification program.[3][4]
Sources
- The Daily Groomer: How To Get Started In Grooming (survey of 4,000+ groomers)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook, Animal Care and Service Workers (checked Oct 25, 2026)
- PetSmart Careers: Working in Our Pet Salons (checked Oct 25, 2026)
- Petco Careers: Grooming careers (checked Oct 25, 2026)
- Penn Foster: Pet Grooming Certificate (checked Oct 26, 2026)
- Groomers University: Courses and FAQ (checked Oct 26, 2026)
- Paragon School of Pet Grooming: home page (checked Oct 26, 2026)
- Animal Behavior College: home page (checked Oct 26, 2026)
- Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 22-344 (2025), via Justia (checked Oct 26, 2026)
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 40-13-13 (Georgia Department of Agriculture, Animal Protection rules) (checked Oct 26, 2026)
- NDGAA: NCMG Program
- NDGAA: NCMG written testing
