About ICPE
At the IAPEG, we know you want to be an attentive groomer who can confidently maintain the skin and coat of pets in your care. The problem is that you have pets returning with itchy skin, too many different products to know what is best for each pet, owners expecting you to offer guidance and relief, and owners or veterinarians who may even blame you for irritated skin or unexplained hair loss. We believe pet groomers deserve to know more than how to cut hair without investing years on education, incurring debt along the way, or wasting money on infomercials selling products.
We understand how overwhelming it is to sift through scientific research to find answers to your skin and coat questions which is why Bullet Brown built the International Certified Pet Esthetician program after years of researching peer-reviewed scientific studies to find information specifically relatable to canine and feline grooming.
How ICPE Is Taught
The ICPE course is presented through the teaching platform, Ruzuku, where enrolled students access information once the course has begun. Here, course information (webinars, written information, diagrams, practice worksheets, etc) is broken down into weekly modules. Students review the information and study on their own time during the week and then attend a live meeting* each Monday with the instructor and fellow students to discuss the content of that week’s module and ask any questions. Attendance at student meetings is not mandatory, although it is strongly encouraged to better ensure that everyone understands the information as it’s being learned and to encourage accountability. We also provide students with access to a recording of each meeting that can be viewed at any time.
Exams are scheduled for each section (containing multiple modules) throughout the course of the program. If an exam is passed, credit is given towards the final certification. If an exam is failed, students learn what they need to study more and are able to retake the exam! There are NO additional fees for certification exams. They are included with enrollment.
*Note about meeting times: Once enrollment for an upcoming course closes, a syllabus with meeting times, exam dates, etc. will be provided, as the times are partly determined by the timezones of registered students. It is our goal to make the meetings as accessible as possible to everyone enrolled. At 5pm in California, it is 1am the next morning in England, for example.
Topics Covered in the ICPE Program
Biology
Microbiology
Canine & Feline Skin Anatomy
Canine & Feline Hair Physiology
Canine & Feline Hair Pathology
Understanding Skin Diseases
Basic & Advanced Chemistry
Intro to Shampoo Chemistry
Advanced Shampoo Chemistry
Conditioner Chemistry & Styling Aids
Coat Coloring for Canines & Felines
Holistic Spa Treatments for Canines & Felines
Bathing, Drying, Ears, & Paws
Practical Brushing & Combing Techniques
Safety & Sanitation for Professional Groomers
The Canine & Feline Diets
What is Required
An active membership with IAPEG in good standing is required. Join us today!
There are no prerequisite courses. As long as you devote the necessary time and effort, you can learn from the ICPE course, whether you have some high school education or multiple degrees!
Technical requirements include the ability to access Ruzuku learning platform (computer or tablet is recommended, cell phone may also be used). A computer with reliable internet connection is required for exams. Access to a printer is needed to print worksheets and diagrams for studying.
Zoom Video Conferencing is used for weekly student meetings. Attendance is strongly encouraged but not mandatory.
