HGA Professional Certification & Renewal Policy
The Holistic Grooming Academy (HGA)
Version: 1.0
Effective Date: 15/07/2026
Review Date: 15/07/2026
1. Purpose
The Holistic Grooming Academy (HGA) is committed to promoting high standards of professional practice through behaviour-led, welfare-focused education.
This policy explains how HGA Professional Certification is awarded, maintained and renewed, ensuring certified graduates continue to demonstrate current knowledge, professional competence and a commitment to lifelong learning.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all graduates who have successfully completed the:
HGA Behaviour Grooming Diploma
and who have been awarded the professional title:
HGA Behaviour Grooming Specialist
3. Professional Certification
Successful completion of the Behaviour Grooming Diploma confirms that the graduate has successfully met the academic requirements of the HGA professional certification programme.
The Behaviour Grooming Diploma is a professional certification.
It is not a regulated qualification within the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) or the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).
At the time of publication, the programme is:
Approved by the Complementary Medical Association (CMA).
Recognised through the iPET Network Professional Development Recognition (PDR) Scheme.
These approvals recognise the quality and continuing professional development value of the programme but should not be interpreted as regulated qualification status.
4. Certification Period
HGA Professional Certification is valid for:
Two (2) years
from the date of certification.
To continue using the professional title HGA Behaviour Grooming Specialist, graduates must successfully complete the HGA Professional Practice Review before the end of each certification period.
5. Why Renewal is Required
Behaviour science, welfare research, veterinary understanding and professional practice continue to evolve.
HGA believes professional certification should represent continued competence rather than a one-time achievement.
Renewal ensures certified professionals continue to demonstrate:
Current professional knowledge.
Ongoing professional development.
Reflective practice.
Evidence-informed decision making.
Continued commitment to canine welfare.
By maintaining an active certification process, HGA seeks to uphold the integrity and credibility of its professional certification while encouraging lifelong learning throughout a graduate’s career.
Why Does HGA Certification Require Renewal?
Professional knowledge does not remain static. Advances in canine behaviour, welfare science, veterinary understanding and professional practice continue to shape how dogs are cared for within the grooming environment.
At The Holistic Grooming Academy, we believe professional certification should reflect current knowledge rather than simply acknowledge past achievement.
Our renewal process has therefore been designed to encourage lifelong learning, reflective practice and continued professional development. By requiring graduates to periodically demonstrate their ongoing learning, HGA aims to ensure certified professionals continue to apply contemporary, evidence-informed approaches throughout their careers.
This approach supports the long-term integrity of HGA Professional Certification and reflects our commitment to maintaining high educational standards within behaviour-led, welfare-focused grooming.
Rather than viewing renewal as simply extending a certificate, we see it as an opportunity for professionals to reflect on their development, consolidate new knowledge and continue contributing to a profession that is continually evolving.
6. Professional Practice Review
To maintain certification, graduates must successfully complete the HGA Professional Practice Review every two years.
The Professional Practice Review has been developed to confirm that certified professionals continue to demonstrate contemporary knowledge and professional competence.
The review may include:
Written assessment.
Case study analysis.
Reflection on professional practice.
Updates relating to changes within the Behaviour Grooming Diploma.
Developments within the Applied Behaviour and Welfare Grooming Framework (ABWGF).
HGA reserves the right to amend the format of the Professional Practice Review as educational standards continue to develop.
7. Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
To be eligible for certification renewal, graduates must provide evidence of a minimum of:
100 hours of relevant external Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
completed during each two-year certification period.
Relevant CPD may include:
Professional conferences.
Accredited courses.
Workshops.
Seminars.
Webinars.
Veterinary education.
Behaviour education.
Welfare education.
Relevant higher education.
Structured professional reading.
Other recognised professional learning activities.
HGA reserves the right to determine whether submitted CPD is relevant to certification renewal and may request further evidence where appropriate.
8. Renewal Requirements
To successfully renew HGA Professional Certification, graduates must:
Successfully complete the Professional Practice Review.
Submit evidence of at least 100 hours of relevant external CPD.
Submit all required documentation.
Pay the applicable certification renewal fee.
Certification will only be renewed once all renewal requirements have been successfully completed.
9. Renewal Grace Period
Graduates have a three (3) month grace period following certification expiry to complete the renewal process.
During this period:
certification is regarded as expired;
graduates must not use the professional title;
graduates must not represent themselves as holding current HGA Professional Certification.
10. Lapsed Certification
Certification will be considered lapsed where renewal has not been successfully completed within three months of the certification expiry date.
Where certification has lapsed, individuals wishing to regain HGA Professional Certification must:
Re-enrol onto the current version of the Behaviour Grooming Diploma.
Successfully complete all current programme requirements.
Pay the applicable course fees.
This policy ensures all certified graduates continue to meet contemporary educational standards and reflects HGA’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of its certification.
11. Use of the Professional Title
Only graduates holding current HGA Professional Certification may use the professional title:
HGA Behaviour Grooming Specialist
Graduates whose certification has expired or lapsed must not:
Use the title HGA Behaviour Grooming Specialist.
Display HGA certification logos or digital badges.
Advertise themselves as currently certified by HGA.
Suggest or imply active certification.
Following successful renewal, graduates may once again use the professional title throughout the renewed certification period.
12. Professional Register
HGA maintains a register of graduates holding current professional certification.
Only graduates with active certification may appear on the HGA Professional Register.
Graduates whose certification expires or lapses may be removed from the active register until certification has been successfully renewed.
13. Failure to Meet Renewal Requirements
HGA reserves the right to refuse certification renewal where:
insufficient CPD evidence has been submitted;
the Professional Practice Review has not been successfully completed;
false or misleading information has been provided;
academic misconduct has been identified;
professional misconduct has occurred;
the HGA Behaviour Grooming Specialist title has been misused.
Any decision to refuse renewal will follow a fair, proportionate and transparent review process.
Graduates will be provided with an opportunity to respond before a final decision is made.
14. Appeals
Graduates may appeal decisions relating to certification renewal in accordance with the HGA Complaints & Appeals Procedure.
Appeals should normally be submitted in writing within 28 days of the decision being communicated.
15. Policy Review
HGA is committed to maintaining high educational standards.
This policy will be reviewed periodically to reflect:
developments in behaviour and welfare science;
educational best practice;
professional standards;
legislative changes;
feedback from students and graduates.
Contact
The Holistic Grooming Academy
Website: www.holisticgroomingacademy.com