Japanese Pet Stylist International Association (PSIA)
Professional Groomer Certification Standards

The Pet Stylist International Association (PSIA), based in Japan, is a globally recognized credentialing organization for pet grooming professionals. PSIA provides an international platform dedicated to certification, advanced continuing education, and global industry networking for groomers worldwide.

General Incorporated Association: Pet Stylist International Association (PSIA)

President: Yuriko Sayama

Principal of Sayama Gakuen Asian Animal College
Vice President of Dane & Kelly Co., Ltd.
President of the Pet Stylist International Association (PSIA)
Honorary Chairperson of the Pet Esthe International Association (PEIA)
JKC (Japan Kennel Club) Master Groomer
Chairperson of the License Certification Committee, NAVA (Nippon Animal Vocational Association)
Member of the AKC (American Kennel Club)
Owner of Moving Blue Kennel (Specializing in Kerry Blue Terriers; breeder of multiple FCI, JKC, and American Champions)

Pet Stylist International Association (PSIA)
Professional Groomer Certification Standards

PSIA C-Level (Bronze Grade) Certification Standards & Exam Overview

Eligibility (Must meet the following criteria):

Graduates of the International Professional Pet Grooming Academy (IPGA) C-Level Pet Grooming Certificate Course; OR
Currently enrolled students in the IPGA International Certified Japanese PSIA Pet Groomer Course; AND
Possess at least 2 years of professional experience working in a pet grooming salon.

Designated Breed & Styling Profiles (Select ONE profile to test):

Option A: Poodle Commercial Pet Clip
Option B: Poodle International Standard Lamb Clip
Model Dog Requirement: All exam dogs must have at least one month of natural coat growth prior to the examination.

Technical Evaluation & Time Limits:

Poodle Commercial Pet Clip (Time Limit: 90 Minutes)
Must complete the full styling profile, including basic sanitation trims (shaving paw pads, underbelly, and sanitary area) and body clipping. The legs, paws, head, and tail must be meticulously shaped using scissoring techniques only.
Poodle Standard Lamb Clip (Time Limit: 90 Minutes)
Must complete the traditional style, including basic sanitation trims (shaving paw pads, underbelly, and sanitary area), a clean shaved Poodle face, and a clean shaved tail root. The main body, legs, paws, head, and tail must be entirely hand-scissored.

Certification & Refresher Lesson Fees:

Examination & Certification Fee: HKD 3,980
Includes: Japan PSIA examination fee, judging/assessment fee, international certificate issuance, and Japan exam model dog fee.
Excludes: Any local Hong Kong classroom tuition, mock exam fees, airfare, local transportation, or accommodation expenses.
Mandatory Pre-Exam Refresher Lesson: HKD 790 per session
Candidates are required to attend at least one refresher lesson at the International Professional Pet Grooming Academy prior to the exam to master the official examination regulations.

PSIA C-Level (Bronze Grade) Certification Standards & Exam Overview

Eligibility (Must meet the following criteria):

Graduates of the International Professional Pet Grooming Academy (IPGA) C-Level Pet Grooming Certificate Course; OR
Currently enrolled students in the IPGA International Certified Japanese PSIA Pet Groomer Course; AND
Possess at least 2 years of professional experience working in a pet grooming salon.

Designated Breed & Styling Profiles (Select ONE profile to test):

Option A: Poodle Commercial Pet Clip
Option B: Poodle International Standard Lamb Clip
Model Dog Requirement: All exam dogs must have at least one month of natural coat growth prior to the examination.

Technical Evaluation & Time Limits:

Poodle Commercial Pet Clip (Time Limit: 90 Minutes)
Must complete the full styling profile, including basic sanitation trims (shaving paw pads, underbelly, and sanitary area) and body clipping. The legs, paws, head, and tail must be meticulously shaped using scissoring techniques only.
Poodle Standard Lamb Clip (Time Limit: 90 Minutes)
Must complete the traditional style, including basic sanitation trims (shaving paw pads, underbelly, and sanitary area), a clean shaved Poodle face, and a clean shaved tail root. The main body, legs, paws, head, and tail must be entirely hand-scissored.

Certification & Refresher Lesson Fees:

PSIA B-Level (Silver Grade) Certification Standards & Exam Overview

Eligibility (Must fulfill at least TWO of the following criteria):

Graduates of the International Professional Pet Grooming Academy (IPGA) C-Level Pet Grooming Certificate Course;
Graduates of the International Professional Pet Grooming Academy (IPGA) B-Level Pet Grooming Certificate Course;
Current holders of the Japanese PSIA C-Level (Bronze Grade) Certification;
Possess at least 3 years of professional experience working in a pet grooming salon.

Designated Breed & Styling Profiles (Select ONE profile to test):

Option A: Poodle Commercial Pet Clip
Option B: Poodle International Standard Lamb Clip
Model Dog Requirement: All exam dogs must have at least one and half month of natural coat growth prior to the examination.

Technical Evaluation & Time Limits:

Poodle Commercial Pet Clip (Time Limit: 70 Minutes)
Must complete the full styling profile, including body clipping. The legs, paws, head, and tail must be meticulously shaped using scissoring techniques only.
Poodle Standard Lamb Clip (Time Limit: 90 Minutes)
Must complete the traditional style within the time limit. The main body, legs, paws, head, and tail must be entirely shaped and finished using precision hand-scissoring techniques.

Certification & Refresher Lesson Fees:

Examination & Certification Fee: HKD 3,980
Includes: Japan PSIA examination fee, judging/assessment fee, international certificate issuance, and Japan exam model dog fee.
Excludes: Any local Hong Kong classroom tuition, mock exam fees, airfare, local transportation, or accommodation expenses.
Mandatory Pre-Exam Refresher Lesson: HKD 790 per session
Candidates are required to attend at least one refresher lesson at the International Professional Pet Grooming Academy prior to the exam to master the official examination regulations.

PSIA A-Level (Gold Grade) Certification Standards & Exam Overview

Eligibility (Must fulfill at least TWO of the following criteria):

Graduates of the International Professional Pet Grooming Academy (IPGA) C-Level Pet Grooming Certificate Course; AND
Graduates of the International Professional Pet Grooming Academy (IPGA) B-Level Pet Grooming Certificate Course; AND
Current holders of the Japanese PSIA B-Level (Silver Grade) Certification; AND
Possess at least 5 years of full-time professional experience working in a pet grooming salon.

Designated Breed & Styling Profiles (Select ONE profile to test):

Option A: Poodle Commercial Pet Clip
Option B: Poodle International Standard Lamb Clip
Option C: Poodle International Standard Continental Clip
Model Dog Requirement: All examination dogs must have at least two months of natural, uncut coat growth prior to the examination.

Technical Evaluation & Time Limits:

Commercial Pet Styling (Time Limit: 60 Minutes)
Must complete the full styling profile, including body clipping and clipper work. The legs, paws, head, and tail must be flawlessly shaped using scissoring techniques only.
Poodle Standard Lamb Clip (Time Limit: 60 Minutes)
Must complete the traditional style within the strict time limit. The main body, legs, paws, head, and tail must be entirely shaped and finished using precision hand-scissoring techniques.
Poodle Continental Clip (Time Limit: 60 Minutes)
Must complete this advanced show profile within the time limit. This includes setting the pattern, scissoring the main jacket, and perfectly shaping the rosettes, poms, crest, and tail.

Certification & Refresher Lesson Fees:

Examination & Certification Fee: HKD 4,500
Includes: Japan PSIA examination fee, judging/assessment fee, international certificate issuance, and the Poodle Commercial Pet Styling exam model dog fee.
Excludes: Model dog fees for the Poodle Lamb Clip or Poodle Continental Clip variations; any local Hong Kong classroom tuition; and all airfare, local transportation, or accommodation expenses.
Commercial Pet Styling Pre-Exam Refresher Lesson: HKD 790 per session
Important Note: Candidates who do not currently hold a valid PSIA C-Level or B-Level Certification are required to attend at least one refresher lesson at the International Professional Pet Grooming Academy prior to the exam to master official examination regulations.
Advanced/Show Styling Refresher Lessons: For non-commercial styling prep classes, please contact the academy administration directly for tuition rates and inquiries.

PSIA AA-Level (Platium Grade) Certification Standards & Exam Overview

Eligibility (Must fulfill the following criteria):

Current holders of the Japanese PSIA A-Level (Gold Grade) Certification; AND
Possess at least 8 years of full-time professional experience working in a pet grooming salon.

Designated Breed & Styling Profiles (Select ONE profile to test):

Option A: Poodle Commercial Pet Clip
Option B: Poodle International Standard Lamb Clip
Option C: Poodle International Standard Continental Clip
Model Dog Requirement: All examination dogs must have at least two months of natural, uncut coat growth prior to the examination.

Technical Evaluation & Time Limits:

Commercial Pet Styling (Time Limit: 50 Minutes)
Must complete the full styling profile, including body clipping and clipper work. The legs, paws, head, and tail must be flawlessly shaped using scissoring techniques only.
Poodle Standard Lamb Clip (Time Limit: 50 Minutes)
Must complete the traditional style within the strict time limit. The main body, legs, paws, head, and tail must be entirely shaped and finished using precision hand-scissoring techniques.
Poodle Continental Clip (Time Limit: 50 Minutes)
Must complete this advanced show profile within the time limit. This includes setting the pattern, scissoring the main jacket, and perfectly shaping the rosettes, poms, crest, and tail.

PSIA AAA-Level (Diamond Grade) Certification Standards & Exam Overview

Eligibility (Must fulfill the following criteria):

Current holders of the Japanese PSIA AA-Level (Platinum Grade) Certification; AND
Possess at least 10 years of full-time professional experience working in a pet grooming salon.

Designated Breed & Styling Profiles (Select ONE profile to test):

Option A: Poodle Commercial Pet Clip
Option B: Poodle International Standard Lamb Clip
Option C: Poodle International Standard Continental Clip
Model Dog Requirement: All examination dogs must have at least two months of natural, uncut coat growth prior to the examination.

Technical Evaluation & Time Limits:

Commercial Pet Styling (Time Limit: 40 Minutes)
Must complete the full styling profile, including body clipping and clipper work. The legs, paws, head, and tail must be flawlessly shaped using scissoring techniques only.
Poodle Standard Lamb Clip (Time Limit: 40 Minutes)
Must complete the traditional style within the strict time limit. The main body, legs, paws, head, and tail must be entirely shaped and finished using precision hand-scissoring techniques.
Poodle Continental Clip (Time Limit: 40 Minutes)
Must complete this advanced show profile within the time limit. This includes setting the pattern, scissoring the main jacket, and perfectly shaping the rosettes, poms, crest, and tail.

Access

Tokyo Headquarters

FM Building, 1-13-12 Nihonbashi Bakurocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0002, Japan

US Branch

4DOGS GROOMING ACADEMY
1611 CRENSHAW BLVD TORRANCE, CA 90501
Branch Leader: KAORI YAMADA

Hong Kong Branch

INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL GROOMING ACADEMY
FLAT/RM.1-2, 1/F WAH TONG BLDG., 38-44 SHAU KEI WAN RD., SAI WAN HO, HONG KONG
Branch Leader: VICARDO LAU

Taiwan Branch

QUNHE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
No. 265, Zhongzheng 3rd Rd, Yingge District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 239

Mainland China Branch

YINGCHONG BUSINESS SERVICES CONSULTING CO., LTD.
2F, No.1801, BEIAI RD., PUDONGXINQU, SHANGHAI, CHINA
Branch Manager: MASUHIRO NOGUCHI

Japanese Pet Stylist International Association (PSIA) Professional Groomer Certification Standards

Pet Stylist International Association (PSIA) Professional Groomer Certification Standards

PSIA C-Level (Bronze Grade) Certification Standards & Exam Overview

Eligibility (Must meet the following criteria):

Designated Breed & Styling Profiles (Select ONE profile to test):

Technical Evaluation & Time Limits:

Certification & Refresher Lesson Fees:

Access

Tokyo Headquarters

FM Building, 1-13-12 Nihonbashi Bakurocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0002, Japan

US Branch

4DOGS GROOMING ACADEMY 1611 CRENSHAW BLVD TORRANCE, CA 90501 Branch Leader: KAORI YAMADA

Hong Kong Branch

INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL GROOMING ACADEMY FLAT/RM.1-2, 1/F WAH TONG BLDG., 38-44 SHAU KEI WAN RD., SAI WAN HO, HONG KONG Branch Leader: VICARDO LAU

Taiwan Branch

QUNHE INDUSTRY CO., LTD. No. 265, Zhongzheng 3rd Rd, Yingge District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 239

Mainland China Branch

YINGCHONG BUSINESS SERVICES CONSULTING CO., LTD. 2F, No.1801, BEIAI RD., PUDONGXINQU, SHANGHAI, CHINA Branch Manager: MASUHIRO NOGUCHI

International Professional Grooming Academy

Japanese Pet Stylist International Association (PSIA)
Professional Groomer Certification Standards

Pet Stylist International Association (PSIA)
Professional Groomer Certification Standards

4DOGS GROOMING ACADEMY
1611 CRENSHAW BLVD TORRANCE, CA 90501
Branch Leader: KAORI YAMADA

INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL GROOMING ACADEMY
FLAT/RM.1-2, 1/F WAH TONG BLDG., 38-44 SHAU KEI WAN RD., SAI WAN HO, HONG KONG
Branch Leader: VICARDO LAU

QUNHE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
No. 265, Zhongzheng 3rd Rd, Yingge District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 239

YINGCHONG BUSINESS SERVICES CONSULTING CO., LTD.
2F, No.1801, BEIAI RD., PUDONGXINQU, SHANGHAI, CHINA
Branch Manager: MASUHIRO NOGUCHI