It depends on how many courses you take, course availability and when the final certification exam is scheduled. Most students average about 12 to 18 months.
To enter into this program all you require is an interest in learning more about tea. TEA 101: Introduction to Tea is the first course that all students must complete in order to take any of the remaining courses.
The courses are available in person through the Tea & Herbal Association of Canada (Toronto and Vancouver), online through the Academy of Tea, in Italian (ProTea Academy), and in Spanish (Escuela Mexicana de Té).
Yes, our online program is available outside of Canada. There are additional shipping costs (each course has a course package), which are dependent upon the shipping location.
Earning this certification will prepare you to work in an ever-increasing range of settings from marketing and retail to service industries including bed and breakfasts, tea rooms, embassies, hotels, restaurants and retail tea shops.
To enroll online please visit academyoftea.org and follow the registration instructions. To enroll for the courses offered at one of our partner colleges, please visit their website (more information can be found here).
All of the course material is the same. You will be doing the same reading and cuppings in both the in-person classes and online classes the only difference is the delivery method.
Included in the price of every course is a digital manual and all of the teas. To complete the cuppings you need a kitchen thermometer, gram scale and a cupping set.
Depending on the portion of the course that you fail, you have a chance to re-take that portion the next time the course is offered (additional shipping may apply).
To get your certification students must complete and pass all eight modules, take and pass the certification examination and agree to the Code of Conduct.
All courses are subject to tax and a shipping fee for tea materials. If you are an international student (outside Canada and US), please contact us for exact shipping information)
To use and maintain the Tea Sommelier designation, the Code of Conduct must be signed and membership to the Tea & Herbal Association of Canada must be paid every year. The first year of Tea Sommelier membership is granted on a complimentary status upon completing the Final Certification Exam.
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