How to Start Your Own Grooming School Without Getting Overwhelmed

A scattered assembly of classic Lego figure parts lies against a green backdrop, waiting to be pieced back together.

So, you’re thinking about opening a grooming school? That’s amazing! Teaching the next generation of groomers is one of the best ways to give back to the industry. But if you’ve already started looking into it, you’ve probably realized…

💭 This is A LOT.

Between the approval process, business planning, curriculum design, and legal requirements, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before you even get started. I know because I’ve been there. When I started my school, I felt like every time I figured something out, I’d uncover five more things I had to do.

But here’s the thing: You don’t have to do everything at once.

If you break it down into manageable steps, the process becomes a lot more doable. So, let’s go over what it takes to start a grooming school—without feeling like you’re drowning in paperwork.

Step 1: Get Clear on Your Vision

Before diving into all the logistics, take a step back and think about what kind of school you actually want to run.

Ask yourself:

• What kind of students do I want to teach? (Beginners? Advanced groomers? Career changers?)

• How big do I want my school to be? (A small, hands-on program? A larger academy with multiple instructors?)

• Will I offer full certification programs, or just skill-based training?

• Do I want a physical location, or do I want to include online education?

Getting clear on your big picture will help you make smarter decisions as you move forward.

💡 Tip: Write down a mission statement for your school.

It doesn’t have to be fancy—just a short statement that explains why you’re starting this school and what you hope to accomplish.

Step 2: Research Your State’s Requirements

Now that you know what you want your school to look like, it’s time to figure out what’s legally required.

Every state in the lower 48 has some kind of approval process for private trade schools. Some are simple, some are complicated, but either way—you need to know what your state expects before you move forward.

• Find out if you need approval. (Spoiler: You probably do.)

• Look up the application process and costs.

• Check if there are facility or instructor requirements.

• Ask how long the approval process takes.

  • This step can be frustrating because state websites are often hard to navigate, but don’t skip it. Finding this information early will save you time (and headaches) later.

💡 Tip: Keep track of everything you find in a Google Doc or notebook. When you’re dealing with multiple agencies, it’s easy to lose track of who told you what!

Step 3: Outline Your Curriculum

One of the biggest parts of getting approval is proving that your school has a structured curriculum.

You don’t need to have every single lesson plan written out yet, but you should have a basic outline that covers:

• What students will learn (bathing, drying, breed trims, handling, safety, etc.)

• How long the program will last (Weeks? Months? How many hours per week?)

• How students will be graded (Practical assessments? Written exams? Portfolio reviews?)

• What happens after graduation (Do they get a certificate? Will you help with job placement?)

💡 Tip: If you’re not sure where to start, look at existing grooming schools to see how they structure their programs. You don’t have to copy them, but it helps to see what’s common in the industry.

Step 4: Figure Out the Business Side

A grooming school isn’t just a school—it’s a business. And like any business, you need to have a solid plan in place.

Here are some things to think about:

• How will you fund your school? (Will you need a loan? Can you self-fund?)

• Where will your school be located? (Do you need to rent or buy space?)

• Will you hire instructors or teach everything yourself?

• What legal structure will you use? (LLC, sole proprietorship, corporation?)

• What insurance will you need? (Liability, business insurance, student accident coverage?)

If this part feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. It’s okay to take your time and consult professionals (like accountants and lawyers) if needed.

💡 Tip: Even if you’re starting small, make sure your business structure protects you legally. A LLC (Limited Liability Company) is a great option for most small schools.

Step 5: Start the Approval Process (One Step at a Time)

Once you’ve done your research and planned out the basics, it’s time to start the actual approval process.

The exact steps will depend on your state, but most approvals include:

• Submitting an application (with a fee)

• Providing business documents and financial info

• Submitting your curriculum for review

• Passing a facility inspection (if required)

💡 Tip: Don’t try to do everything at once. Break it down into smaller tasks and focus on one thing at a time.

Step 6: Plan for Growth (But Stay Flexible)

Even after you open, you’ll probably tweak and adjust things as you go. No school starts out perfect, and that’s okay!

Some things to think about as you grow:

• How will you market your school? (Social media? Word of mouth? Events?)

• Will you offer different program levels or certifications in the future?

• How will you get feedback from students to improve?

Tip: The best grooming schools evolve over time. Don’t stress about having everything perfect on day one—just focus on getting started!

Final Thoughts

Starting a grooming school can feel like a massive project, but you don’t have to do it all at once.

If you take it step by step—get clear on your vision, research your state’s requirements, outline your curriculum, and start the approval process—it becomes a lot more manageable.

And remember: You’re not alone in this! There are other grooming school owners who have gone through the same process, and there are resources out there to help you. If this is something you’re passionate about, stick with it. The industry needs great schools, and you could be the one to build one of them.

So, deep breath—you got this. 💪