Become a Certified Master Pet Stylist (MPS)!
Master Your Profession
How to Certify
To certify for MPS, an individual must be an active MPS member in good standing and must pass all PDS, ICPG, and MPS online written examinations and practical skills examinations. Additional administrative fees of $25.00 per online written exam and 150.00 per practical skills exam are required. Students receive up to 3 attempts in 30 days to pass each online written exam at no additional charge, and 3 attempts in 60 days to pass each practical skills exam at no additional charge. Video uploads are allowed for practical skills exams whenever possible, but individuals taking practical examinations may incur additional fees/expenses (e.g. travel expenses for certifier) to coordinate the physical administration of the practical skills exams if it is not possible to properly evaluate the animals or quality of work via video. Please call (801) 558-9745 to arrange in-person practical skills examinations.
MPS Overview
The Master Pet Stylist certification program includes educational and validation programs encompassing understanding and overall knowledge of breed standards, basic and advanced clipper, scissor, and hand-stripping techniques, as well as rules of perception, locomotion, and geometrics as applied to the “ideal” sculpting and design of canine coats.
MPS Written Exams
Exam 101: Anatomy of Skin & Hair
70 Questions, 60 Minutes
Access for 30 Days
Up to 3 Attempts to Pass Included
$25.00
Exam 102: Topical Conditioning of Canine & Feline Skin & Coat
56 Questions, 50 Minutes
Access for 30 Days
Up to 3 Attempts to Pass Included
$25.00
Exam 103: Ectoparasites & Insecticides
29 Questions, 45 Minutes
Access for 30 Days
Up to 3 Attempts to Pass Included
$25.00
Exam 104: Basic Canine Terminology
14 Questions, 30 Minutes
Access for 30 Days
Up to 3 Attempts to Pass Included
$25.00
Exam 105: Pet Injury Prevention, 1st-Aid, & CPR
36 Questions, 60 Minutes
Access for 30 Days
Up to 3 Attempts to Pass Included
$25.00
Exams 106: Animal Behavior & Handling
27 Questions, 45 Minutes
Access for 30 Days
Up to 3 Attempts to Pass Included
$25.00
Exams 107: Animal Behavior & Handling, Part 2
32 Questions, 45 Minutes
Access for 30 Days
Up to 3 Attempts to Pass Included
$25.00
Exam 108: Canine Anatomy
19 Questions, 30 Minutes
Access for 30 Days
Up to 3 Attempts to Pass Included
$25.00
Exam 109: Zoonotic Diseases Commonly Introduced into the Pet Styling Salon
32 Questions, 30 Minutes
Access for 30 Days
Up to 3 Attempts to Pass Included
$25.00
Exam 110: Canine & Feline Breed Identification & Characteristics
50 Questions, 30 Minutes
Access for 30 Days
Up to 3 Attempts to Pass Included
$25.00
Exam 111: Canine & Feline Breed Identification & Characteristics
50 Questions, 30 Minutes
Access for 30 Days
Up to 3 Attempts to Pass Included
$25.00
Exam 112: Canine & Feline Breed Identification & Characteristics (Non-sporting & Herding Groups)
50 Questions, 30 Minutes
Access for 30 Days
Up to 3 Attempts to Pass Included
$25.00
Exam 254: The Mechanics of Pet Grooming
117 Questions, 90 Minutes
Access for 30 Days
Up to 3 Attempts to Pass Included
$25.00
Exam 201: Clipper Techniques
55 Questions, 45 Minutes
Access for 30 Days
Up to 3 Attempts to Pass Included
$25.00
Exam 202: Clipper Maintenance & Repair
X Questions, Y Minutes
Access for 30 Days
Up to 3 Attempts to Pass Included
$25.00
Exam 203: Dynamics of Scissoring
30 Questions, 45 Minutes
Access for 30 Days
Up to 3 Attempts to Pass Included
$25.00
Exam 204: The Art of Pet Styling
45 Questions, 60 Minutes
Access for 30 Days
Up to 3 Attempts to Pass Included
$25.00
Exam 205: Handstripping Techniques
24 Questions, 30 Minutes
Access for 30 Days
Up to 3 Attempts to Pass Included
$25.00
Exam 206: Non-sporting Breeds
56 Questions, 30 Minutes
Access for 30 Days
Up to 3 Attempts to Pass Included
$25.00
Exam 207: Sporting Breeds
36 Questions, 30 Minutes
Access for 30 Days
Up to 3 Attempts to Pass Included
$25.00
Exam 208: Terrier Breeds
40 Questions, 30 Minutes
Access for 30 Days
Up to 3 Attempts to Pass Included
$25.00
Exam 209: All Other Purebreds
208 Questions, 40 Minutes
Access for 30 Days
Up to 3 Attempts to Pass Included
$25.00
MPS Practical Skills Exams
Exam 210: Non-Sporting Breeds
Acceptable Breeds: Poodle or Bichon
2.5 hours are allowed to style 1 dog.
The dogs must be styled according to its breed standard.
Poodles may be styled in any pattern, but the trim must create the illusion of an “ideal” Poodle.
Evaluation of your skills is based upon:
1. Preparation of the dog’s coat
2. Knowledge of the mechanical techniques and tools required to execute the correct breed standard trim.
Required mechanical techniques are:
Satisfactory performance of straight and curved shear techniques.
Exam 211: Sporting Breeds
Acceptable Breeds: American or English Cocker, Springer Spaniel, or any AKC recognized sporting breed which requires comparable styling skills and techniques (i.e. English, Irish, Gordon Setters, or Golden Retrievers, etc.)
2.5 hours are allowed to style 1 dog.
The dogs must be styled according to its breed standard.
Evaluation of your skills is based upon:
1. Preparation of the dog’s coat
2. Knowledge of the mechanical techniques and tools required to execute the correct breed standard trim.
Required mechanical techniques are;
Satisfactory performance of thinning shears and carding techniqes.
Exam 212: Terrier Breeds
Acceptable Breeds: Westie, Scottie, Cairn, Wire Fox Terrier, Min. Schnauzer, Airedale, Welsh, Lakeland, or any other harsh coated terrier requiring comparable hand-stripping skills and techniques.
2.5 hours are allowed to style 1 dog.
The dogs must be styled according to its breed standard.
Evaluation of your skills is based upon:
1. Preparation of the dog’s coat
2. Knowledge of the mechanical techniques and tools required to execute the correct breed standard trim.
Required mechanical techniques are:
Satisfactory performance of handstripping techniques.
Become an MPS Member
Sign up today to further your education, receive industry discounts, certify, & increase your profits!
$24.99/mo
or
$274.99/yr
Exam Procedure
Purchase an Exam
Setup an Account on Our Online Written Testing Portal
Take Your Exam
Up to 3 Attempts in 30 Days to Pass Each Online Written Exam
For Practical Skills Exams, Email or Upload Your Videos
Up to 3 Attempts in 60 Days to Pass Each Proctical Skills Exam
All Exams Have Time Limits
Multiple Membership Tiers Available
Customize Your Experience
Upgrade or downgrade your membership at any time access exactly the right benefits.
Choose the Right Membership Tier for You
Get In Touch or Create an Account
Ready to Get Started?
BEGIN YOUR EDUCATION TODAY TO TAKE YOUR CAREER TO THE NEXT LEVEL