Pet Grooming Courses in Malaysia (2026): Schools, Fees and Certification

Want to groom pets for a living? Start with the right pet grooming course. Malaysia has workshops, certificates and diplomas. This guide shows what each one teaches. It also shows who certifies it. And it lists what to ask before you pay.

Do You Need a Certificate to Work as a Pet Groomer in Malaysia?

No. We found no national licence for pet groomers.

Employers still care about skills, though. Groomer job ads often say a certificate is an advantage, and some say it is not required.

Salon owners face different rules. The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) licenses some animal premises, including animal spas. Check with DVS before you open a salon.

Types of Pet Grooming Courses

Courses fall into three groups. Pick one based on your goal.

Short Workshops for Pet Parents

These classes teach you to groom your own pet at home. They are separate from the certified courses.

Classes like this appear from time to time. For example, this year Paws Pet Grooming Academy in Johor Bahru ran a pet parent class on 9 May, covering basic brushing, nail trimming, ear cleaning and simple grooming techniques. Places were limited, and booking was by direct message.

SPCA Selangor has also run a two-hour cat care class with a demo of basic grooming. Its page listed a minimum donation of RM120. Check the current rate.

Dates change. So follow local academies and ask when the next class runs.

Professional Certificate Courses

These courses train you to work in a salon. They run longer than workshops. You finish with an exam pass or a certificate.

This year, Paws Pet Grooming Academy in Johor Bahru took its first students to the 21st MKA FCI grooming certification in May. The academy says all of them passed. It teaches in small groups and offers a 10-lesson advanced course.

JM Academy offers an international C-level cat grooming certificate. In 2024, its mentor told The Star it is recognised in Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and China. Classes run part-time or full-time.

We found no published fees for either school. Ask each one for a written quote.

Diploma and TVET Programmes

A JM Academy mentor told The Star that pet grooming is a recognised TVET skill. He said the academy offers a cat grooming diploma accredited by KLTVET. Both part-time and full-time courses exist. Part-time suits working adults.

This is one school's claim. Ask any school for proof of accreditation.

Which Grooming Certificates Are Recognised in Malaysia?

No single certificate rules the market. Two groups show up most. One covers dogs. The other covers cats.

MKA Grooming Certification: Categories and Levels

MKA is Malaysia's member of the FCI, the world dog body. Salons advertise titles like "MKA Category 3 Level A". That matches the FCI system, which MKA uses for its grooming events.

The FCI system has five categories and three levels in each.

Competitors bring their own dog models and tools. Check MKA's own site for exam dates, fees and rules.

Cat Grooming Bodies: UCA and MCGA

The Universal Cat Association (UCA) calls itself China's first international non-profit group for cat lovers. It has a regional liaison for its grooming program in Malaysia. Registered UCA groomers earn points toward Star-Level certification.

UCA C-class courses end with a practical test on a cat.

The Malaysia Cat Groomers Association (MCGA) appears in groomer bios next to UCA. Check MCGA's own pages for its current levels and fees.

Pet Grooming Schools in Malaysia by Region

We list a school only if we saw a course with a date. Source dates are shown. Last checked: 28 October 2026.

Klang Valley

JM Academy by Just Pets Megastore offers full-time, part-time and express courses, plus workshops on basic and advanced scissoring. It also offers a cat grooming diploma and a C-level cat certificate. Its mentor says part-time suits working adults.

Time Out lists House of Groomers Academy in Hartamas as offering an Executive Diploma in Pet Grooming Management. The listing has no date. Confirm the course still runs before you plan around it.

Johor Bahru

Paws Pet Grooming Academy teaches in small groups. It offers a 10-lesson advanced course. It also runs classes for pet parents. Its students sat the MKA FCI certification in May 2026. Ask about the next intake. Also ask if the advanced course expects some experience.

Penang

We found no Penang academy with a current course page. Ask Penang salons if they train new groomers. You can also ask MKA or UCA if they know of a trainer in the state.

Sabah

A business directory lists Pawsible Grooming Academy in Penampang, Kota Kinabalu. It calls itself the only professional grooming academy in Kota Kinabalu. We found no course page. Call first to ask about courses, fees and which certificate you get.

How Much Does a Pet Grooming Course Cost in Malaysia?

Most schools do not post fees online. So ask for a written quote.

Ask what the quote includes:

• Are tools included?
• Is the exam fee included?
• Do you pay extra for practice animals?

Cat Grooming Courses in Malaysia

Cats are Malaysia's most popular pet. A 2023 Standard Insights report puts cat ownership at 77.7%, as cited by a JM Academy mentor. He says demand for cat groomers is strong.

Your options include JM Academy's diploma and C-level certificate. UCA also runs a grooming program in Malaysia. Compare both before you pay.

How to Choose a Grooming Course: 6 Questions to Ask

1. Who issues the certificate? MKA, UCA, MCGA or the school itself? A school certificate only counts if employers know it.
2. How many hours are hands-on? You learn by doing. Ask for the split.
3. How many animals will you groom? More real animals means more practice.
4. Are tools included in the fee? Good scissors cost money. Ask what you must buy.
5. Cats, dogs or both? Pick the one you want to work with.
6. Is there job placement or an apprenticeship? Ask which salons the school works with.

Groomer Jobs and Pay After the Course

Pay depends on where you work and your skill. Here is what 2026 job ads showed.

• A junior groomer role in Petaling Jaya listed RM2,500 to RM3,500 a month.
• A senior groomer role at Just Pets Megastore in Puchong listed RM3,000 to RM4,500.
• Staff reports put Pet Lovers Centre groomer pay at up to about RM4,000.

A JM Academy mentor told The Star that senior cat groomers can earn upwards of RM5,000. He also said some groomers earn commission per cat. That is one school's view. Treat it as a high case.

Opening Your Own Grooming Salon

Many groomers want their own salon one day. You will need a business registration. You may also need a DVS premises licence and a council permit. Read our Malaysia licence guide.

Running a salon also means managing bookings and staff schedules. See how Happy Pet Tech handles bookings and staff schedules.

FAQ

How long does it take to become a pet groomer in Malaysia?

It depends on the course. A short workshop takes a few hours. Professional courses run longer, such as one school's 10-lesson programme. Diplomas take longer still, with part-time and full-time options. Ask each school for its total hours and exam dates.

How much is a pet grooming course in Malaysia?

Fees vary, and most schools do not publish them. One SPCA Selangor cat care class listed a minimum donation of RM120. Longer courses need a written quote. Check what the fee includes, such as tools and exam fees.

Is there a cat grooming course in Malaysia?

Yes. JM Academy offers a cat grooming diploma and a C-level cat certificate, according to The Star in 2024. UCA also runs a grooming program in Malaysia. Check each provider's own page for current dates and fees.

Can I learn pet grooming online?

Partly. You can study theory online, but exams are hands-on. The US National Cat Groomers Institute pairs online courses with practical exams. FCI-style exams use real dogs, so plan to attend in person.

Is pet grooming a recognised TVET skill in Malaysia?

According to one school mentor, yes. He told The Star that JM Academy's cat grooming diploma is accredited by KLTVET. We have not confirmed this with a TVET body. Ask any school for proof of accreditation.

Last checked: 28 October 2026. We review fees and schools every six months.