Dog Grooming Schools

Last week the 10 o’clock news did a report on the grooming industry. The individuals that the reporter interviewed were shocked to find out that the grooming industry is not regulated and that groomers are not required to be licensed. There is a very active and emotional debate about this subject going on within the “Industry” and the outcome of those debates are still “up in the air”. People have been calling me for information. At this time, I would recommend that pet parents choose groomers based on: veterinarian recommendations, referrals from other pet parents who are satisfied with their doggie’s grooming experiences, and/or by doing onsite visits and talking directly to the groomer themselves.

I’ve also been getting many calls from individuals interested in enrolling in our grooming academy. Petite Pooch Chateau Dog Grooming Academy has gone through the required procedures to become and remain a school “in good standing” with the regulating body for trade schools which is the Texas Workforce Commission Career Schools and Colleges (please see their website for more information). The school is audited by a TWC State Representative each year and I’m proud to say that we have been and continue to be in compliance with all of the regulations.

I’ve also been fielding a few calls lately about the difference between “Private vs. State Schools” so I went straight to the source for information. According to the Texas Workforce Commission Career Schools and Colleges - Texas Administrative Code Chapter 132 - All career schools must apply to TWC and follow the procedures outlined below. Although the industry is not regulated, trade/career schools in Texas must adhere/abide by the Texas Administrative Code or TWC will take action. Thanks to those of you who called me for information…I encourage anyone thinking about going to grooming school to do their research. There are many fine schools to choose from, you just have to choose one which will accommodate your needs and please ensure that, at least in Texas, that the school you choose meets the standards for a career school/college.Â

 ”The definition of a career school or college is found in Texas Education Code, Section 132.001:

(1) “Career school or college” means any business enterprise operated for a profit, or on a nonprofit basis, that maintains a place of business within this state, or solicits business within this state, and that is not specifically exempted by this chapter and:

(A) that offers or maintains a course or courses of instruction or study; or

(B) at which place of business such a course or courses of instruction or study is available through classroom instruction or by correspondence, or both, to a person for the purpose of training or preparing the person for a field of endeavor in a business, trade, technical, or industrial occupation, or for avocational or personal improvement.

The statute requires that a business have either an exemption, or if it is a career school or college, have a Certificate of Approval, prior to advertising or operating.

The statute requires that a number of things occur before we issue a Certificate of Approval. The major parts of the process are listed below:

The courses of instruction must be submitted and approved.

A school director is required. The application for that individual must be approved.

Applications for the instructors must be approved.
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Applications for representatives (the employees of the school that discuss the school with the public) must be approved.

The facilities and equipment must be inspected and approved.

Audited financial statements must be submitted and approved.

Typically, two to three months pass from the time that we first receive an application packet to the time that all of the requirements are met and we can issue a Certificate of Approval.”
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