Diploma in Dog Grooming (7863)

Last Updated: 13 Oct 2023

Coming soon: Registrations for the Level 2 Dog Grooming Assistant (7863-02) will open from 1st September 2020.

This qualification is for people who are looking to start a career within the dog grooming industry.

The learner must be 16 years old, or over.  Be dedicated and have enthusiasm with working with animals and especially dogs as this rewarding career can require long hours.

The Level 2 Dog Grooming Assistant (7863-02) – Will provide learners with the practical skills and knowledge that is important for working as a Dog Grooming Assistant. Learners will work for a business which could be based in a salon or a mobile unit. This qualification is the pre-requisite for progression onto the Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming (7863-03) and so on successful completion of the Level 2 Dog Grooming Assistant (7863-02) qualification learners can progress their knowledge and skills further in this area to become a professional Dog Groomer and enrol onto the Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming (7863-03).

The Level 3 Dog Grooming (7863-03) – Will provide learners with the practical skills and knowledge that is important for working as a professional Dog Groomer. You could work for a business or as a self-employed dog groomer. 

We are issuing digital credential to learners who have completed this qualification. Please add your learners’ email address during registration. A digital credential cannot be issued without the learner’s email address

Available to deliver in the following:
  • England
  • Wales – please check QiW website for available funding
  • Scotland
  • Northern Ireland
  • Ireland

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form

General Information

What Is Involved In Studying This Course?

The Level 2 Dog Grooming Assistant (7863-02) qualification covers the skills the learner will need to progress to work as a Dog Grooming Assistant. Mandatory content covers:

  • Preparing and grooming dogs prior to bathing
  • Bathing of dogs
  • Drying dogs and preparing a dog for styling
  • Carrying out trimming of a dog’s coat to prepare for styling
  • Moving and lifting dogs 
  • Maintaining the cleanliness and biosecurity of the dog grooming environment
  • Professional conduct 
  • An introduction to anatomical features, breed characteristics and behaviour of dogs

The assessment for this qualification will require you to achieve:

A theory exam which will cover the knowledge and understanding within the qualification and a synoptic assignment which requires the learners to identify and use effectively in an integrated way an appropriate selection of skills, techniques, concepts, theories, and knowledge from across the content area.

The Level 3 Dog Grooming (7863-03) qualification covers the skills the learner will need to progress to work as a Professional Dog Groomer.  Mandatory content covers:

  • Health and safety, legislation and codes of practice for the dog grooming industry
  • Preparing, styling and finishing a dog
  • Health checking and handling a dog in a dog grooming environment
  • Customer service and record keeping in a dog grooming environment

The assessment for this qualification will require the learner to achieve:

A written exam which covers the knowledge and understanding within the qualification
A practical assignment which covers health checks, first aid and grooming of dogs with different coat types and for different requirements.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

Level 2 Dog Grooming Assistant (7863-02) - on achievement of this qualification the learner will be able to demonstrate to an employer/the public that they have the necessary technical skills and knowledge for when a business is recruiting/seeking the services of a Dog Grooming Assistant

Level 3 Dog Grooming (7863-03) – on achievement of this qualification the learner will be able to demonstrate to an employer/the public that you have the necessary technical skills and knowledge that businesses are looking for when recruiting/seeking the services of a Professional Dog Groomer.

What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?

To offer this qualification, delivery centres will need to complete a full qualification Approval Form (QAP).

The delivery centre will be required to provide the physical and human resources, as outlined in the Qualification handbooks, in order to deliver this qualification. The Level 2 Dog Grooming Assistant (7863-02) qualification is awarded 182 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) and the Level 3 Dog Grooming (7863-03) has been awarded 200 Guided Learning Hours (GLH).

Level 2

Level 2 Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants (7863-02)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2027

Level 2 Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants

  • Accreditation No: 603/6287/X This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: VRQ This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 182 - 182 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 219 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £138.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 2 Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants

  • Accreditation No: Data unavailable This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: VRQ This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: Data unavailable This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2025 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: TBC, please speak to your Account Manager for further information Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3

This is a Level 3 qualification and provides you with the skills and knowledge to work as a Professional Dog Groomer in the animal care industry.
What Careers Can This Lead To?
Professional Dog Groomer.
Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming (7863-03)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2027

Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming

  • Accreditation No: 603/0353/0 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: VRQ This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 300 - 300 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 426 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2030 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £210.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to Walled Garden and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form