- What "Passing" Actually Means for the NCMG
- The 85% Average Rule Explained
- How the Program Stages Fit Together
- Where Your Points Come From: The Five Domains
- The Practical Side of the Score
- The Workshop: Required for Completion
- A Score-Protecting Study Plan by Domain
- Common Misreadings of the Passing Requirement
- Frequently Asked Questions
- The National Certified Master Groomer program requires an 85% average across written and practical work to qualify for the Master exam.
- That 85% is a qualifying average, not an individual-test cutoff, and it does not alone award certification.
- Written testing is currently delivered through AKC Canine College; practical evaluation is handled separately.
- The five content areas are four breed groups plus the Master Written Examination.
What "Passing" Actually Means for the NCMG
If you searched for the NCMG passing score expecting a single number printed on a score report, the National Certified Master Groomer program works differently. It is a staged credential administered by the National Dog Groomers Association of America, Inc., and it combines written examinations, practical grooming evaluation, a required workshop, and Master examination requirements. There is no single pass/fail moment, so "the passing score" really refers to several thresholds working together.
The most important number to know is 85%. According to the current program requirements, candidates need an 85% average in written and practical work to qualify for the Master exam. That figure governs your eligibility to advance, and it is the closest thing the program has to a headline passing standard.
Because the NCMG is not a written-only credential, you cannot approach it the way you would a multiple-choice licensing test. A strong written average can be offset by weak practical results, and the reverse is also true. If you are still orienting yourself, our overview of what NCMG certification is and the full list of NCMG requirements and eligibility provide useful background.
The 85% Average Rule Explained
What an "average" means in practice
An average blends your results rather than judging each in isolation. In practical terms, a high score in one area can help compensate for a lower score in another, but only up to the point where the combined figure reaches 85%. This is why candidates should not fixate on a minimum for any single assessment. The program describes the 85% requirement as distinct from an individual-test minimum, so your goal is to keep the overall figure healthy across every stage.
What the 85% does not guarantee
Hitting 85% qualifies you to sit the Master exam. It does not award certification on its own. The credential is earned by completing the program's stages, including the Master examination requirements and the required workshop. Candidates who stop thinking once they reach 85% risk overlooking the remaining requirements.
| Element | What It Is | What It Is Not |
|---|---|---|
| 85% average | Qualifying standard across written and practical work to reach the Master exam | An individual-test minimum or a standalone certification trigger |
| Written testing | Currently delivered through AKC Canine College | The entire credential |
| Practical evaluation | Separate hands-on grooming assessment | Something that can be skipped or replaced by written work |
| Workshop | Required for program completion | An optional enrichment session |
How the Program Stages Fit Together
The published program materials describe stages and preparation groupings rather than a weighted written-test blueprint. That distinction matters for scoring: you should not expect a published percentage weighting for each content area. Instead, think in terms of a sequence you move through, with your cumulative results feeding the 85% average.
- Written examinations covering the breed groups, delivered currently through AKC Canine College.
- Practical grooming evaluation, which remains separate from the written component.
- The required workshop, necessary for program completion.
- Master examination requirements, which you reach after qualifying with the 85% average.
Because the written side currently runs through a separate platform from the practical side, your score picture is assembled from two different testing experiences. Keep your own records of each result so you can see where your average stands. For a closer look at timing and logistics, see our guide to NCMG exam dates and scheduling.
Where Your Points Come From: The Five Domains
The content you are tested on is organized into five areas: four breed groups and a Master Written Examination. Written preparation draws on breed recognition, AKC breed standards, breed history, grooming styles and patterns, and techniques appropriate to each of the four breed groups. The issuer directs candidates to its breed profiles, AKC materials, and grooming references. For a deeper breakdown, read our complete guide to all five NCMG content areas.
Domain 1: Non-Sporting Breed Group
The Non-Sporting group is known for its variety of coat types and silhouettes, which makes breed recognition and pattern knowledge especially important.
- Match each breed to its AKC standard outline and coat description
- Know the traditional grooming styles and patterns associated with each breed
- Understand breed history well enough to explain why a style exists
Domain 2: Sporting Breed Group
Sporting breeds were developed for fieldwork, and their grooming standards reflect function as well as appearance.
- Connect breed history and working purpose to coat care and finishing
- Review AKC breed standards for coat texture and acceptable trimming
- Practice distinguishing similar-looking breeds by key identifying features
Domain 3: Long-Legged Terrier Breed Group
Long-legged terriers carry demanding, structured grooming patterns where technique and proportion are central.
- Study the tools and techniques appropriate to terrier coat work
- Learn the pattern for each breed, including head, body, and leg outlines
- Review breed standards so you can identify faults and correct styling
Domain 4: Short-Legged Terrier Breed Group
Short-legged terriers share terrier traditions but differ in proportion and finishing, so do not assume knowledge transfers automatically from Domain 3.
- Compare and contrast short-legged and long-legged terrier patterns
- Memorize breed-specific details that distinguish each style
- Revisit breed history to reinforce why each pattern looks the way it does
Domain 5: Master Written Examination
This is the culminating written stage tied to the Master examination requirements. It draws on the full body of breed-group knowledge, so shaky foundations in earlier domains show up here.
- Treat it as a cumulative review rather than a standalone topic
- Revisit weak breed groups before you attempt it
- Keep your running average in mind, since it feeds the qualifying figure
Key Takeaway
Because the program publishes stages rather than weightings, no single domain is "safe to skip." Spread your preparation across all four breed groups so no result drags your average below the 85% line.
The Practical Side of the Score
The practical grooming evaluation is where many candidates underestimate the credential. Written knowledge of an AKC standard is one thing; reproducing the correct pattern on a live dog is another. Since practical results count toward the same 85% average as the written work, they carry real weight in whether you qualify for the Master exam.
To protect your practical performance, rehearse the patterns you studied on paper. If you can describe a breed's correct outline but struggle to execute it, that gap will surface in evaluation. Pair your reading of breed profiles with hands-on repetition, and review the specific techniques the issuer ties to each breed group. For perspective on how demanding this combination is, see how hard the NCMG exam is.
The Workshop: Required for Completion
A workshop is required for program completion. It is not a scored test in the sense of the written and practical stages, but skipping or delaying it means the program is not finished, regardless of how strong your average is. Plan for it early so it does not become the bottleneck that holds up certification after you have already hit your numbers.
If you are weighing the time and expense of the full pathway, our breakdowns of NCMG certification cost and the return on investment of the credential can help you plan.
A Score-Protecting Study Plan by Domain
Generic study advice is less useful here than a plan built around the five domains. The goal is to keep every result strong enough that your overall average clears 85%. Here is one way to sequence your preparation, tied directly to the program's structure.
Non-Sporting and Sporting Groups
- Build breed recognition first, since it underlies every other topic
- Read AKC standards and issuer breed profiles for each breed
- Start a personal reference sheet of coat types and patterns
Long-Legged and Short-Legged Terriers
- Study terrier techniques side by side to catch distinctions
- Practice patterns hands-on while the written details are fresh
- Review breed history to anchor why each style looks the way it does
Master Written Examination Review
- Revisit your weakest breed group before attempting the cumulative stage
- Tally your results so far and calculate your running average
- Confirm workshop timing so completion is not delayed
This sequencing works because the Master Written Examination draws on everything before it, so building the four breed-group foundations first protects your later results. For a fuller methodology, see our NCMG study guide and the one-page NCMG cheat sheet for last-minute review. You can also test your recall with the practice questions on our NCMG practice test site.
Common Misreadings of the Passing Requirement
"85% is the pass mark for every test"
It is not. The 85% is an average across written and practical work, distinct from an individual-test minimum. Do not assume that a single result below 85% ends your attempt, and do not assume that a single result above it secures your place.
"Reaching 85% means I'm certified"
Reaching the average qualifies you for the Master exam. Certification depends on completing the program, including the Master examination requirements and the required workshop.
"This is a written-only credential"
It is not. Practical grooming evaluation is a distinct component, and it contributes to the average that determines your eligibility to advance.
"There is a published pass rate I can plan around"
Be cautious here. We do not cite pass-rate figures that the issuer has not published. For a measured discussion of what is and is not known, see our article on the NCMG pass rate.
"All NCMG credentials work this way"
The acronym is shared by other unrelated credentials, so make sure any information you rely on refers to the National Certified Master Groomer program from the National Dog Groomers Association of America, Inc. If the acronym itself is confusing, start with what NCMG stands for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The key published standard is an 85% average in written and practical work, which qualifies you for the Master exam. It is an average rather than an individual-test minimum, and it does not alone award certification.
No. The program combines written examinations, practical grooming evaluation, a required workshop, and Master examination requirements. Written testing is currently delivered through AKC Canine College, while practical evaluation remains separate.
Not necessarily. The 85% requirement refers to your average across written and practical work, distinct from any individual-test minimum. Focus on keeping your overall average at or above that level.
Written preparation includes breed recognition, AKC breed standards and breed history, grooming styles and patterns, and techniques appropriate to the four breed groups. The five content areas are Non-Sporting, Sporting, Long-Legged Terrier, Short-Legged Terrier, and the Master Written Examination.
The workshop is required for program completion rather than described as part of the 85% average. You should plan for it so it does not delay your certification once you have qualified.
Understanding that the NCMG is a staged, average-based credential changes how you prepare: spread your effort across all four breed groups, take the practical side as seriously as the written, and keep an eye on your running average from the first result. To explore the credential further, browse our guides on NCMG training and NCMG jobs, or review the main NCMG practice resources to start building your confidence.