Certified Pommelier™

Become a Certified Pommelier™

The Certified Pommelier™ is a more advanced certification that covers more in-depth knowledge and a blind sensory evaluation. The qualifying exam to become a Certified Pommelier™ is taken in person. Exams are offered throughout the US a few times a year, and there is always an exam opportunity the week of CiderCon®. Exam opportunities will be listed on this site as they become available. You must have passed the Level 1 Certified Cider Guide™ to take the Certified Pommelier™ Exam.

Upcoming Exams

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Latest News and Study Tools

CPExamLondon2026

Nov 26th Certified Pommelier™ Exam in London

By Jennie Dorsey • June 29, 2026
CPCertifiedPommelierExam
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ACA welcomes 3 new Certified Pommeliers™ following GLINTCAP 2026

By Jennie Dorsey • June 23, 2026
The American Cider Association is pleased to announce the addition of three new Certified Pommeliers™ following examinations held in conjunction with the Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition (GLINTCAP).

American Cider Association Welcomes 12 New Certified Pommeliers™ Following CiderCon® 2026

By Jennie Dorsey • April 2, 2026
The American Cider Association (ACA) proudly announces the induction of twelve new Certified Pommeliers™ following examinations held at CiderCon® 2026 in Providence, RI, marking a continued expansion of global expertise in cider.  The newly minted Certified Pommeliers™ are: Rhyan Cockrell Co-owner of Cockrell Cider Farm , Sean Connolly Cellar Assistant at Bauman’s Cider Company , cider enthusiast Codie Jennison, Jill Nathanson, Rachael Picard, and Jane Ignarri in Product Development at Boston Beer , Peter Mitsch Cidermaker at White Crow Cider Company , Jamie Webb Brand Designer at Switchcraft Studio, Manon Gros Project Specialist at Brooklyn Cider House , Josue Herrada Cook at Edge Restaurant , Tasmine (Tas) Fraser Content Creator @girlwithaciderreview , and Viktor Nikitin Executive Supervisor at I Love Cider (Russia) .

About the Certified Pommelier™ Exam

The qualifying exam to become a Certified Pommelier™ is taken in person. Exams are offered a few times a year globally.


An exam guaranteed to be held during the week of the ACA’s annual conference, CiderCon®. Additional exam dates and locations will be listed on this site as they become available.


Certified Pommeliers must have a fundamental understanding of the topics covered in Level 1, but at a deeper, more detailed level. The test is meant to be challenging. Studying is highly recommended.


The exam consists of two parts:

  • A written theory exam with short answer and essay questions
  • A two-flight cider evaluation exam


For more exam information, please review our Frequently Asked Questions.



Exam cost: $350 for non-members or $250 for American Cider Association members. Members can find their discount code here.


Please review our Terms & Conditions prior to registering for a Certified Pommelier™ Exam.

Certified Pommelier™ Study Guide

The American Cider Association released the official study guide to be used to prepare for the exam to become a Certified Pommelier™ in March 2023. This is the official study guide for the second level of the American Cider Association's professional certification program. It contains all of the information needed to study for and pass the examination. No other reference materials are required.



Those interested in preparing for the exam can purchase the textbook on Amazon.com. It is also available at all of Amazon’s international sites.

Additional Study Aids

Sensory Analysis Webinars

Sensory analysis is an integral part of becoming a Certified Pommelier™. Sensory analysis uses your senses to identify the properties of a cider, including the appearance, aroma, and palate. To aid in the development of your sensory analysis skills and help you prepare for the sensory portion of the CP exam, we have several pre-recorded sensory analysis webinars available for purchase.


In addition, we host several live sensory analysis webinars each year. Upcoming live sensory analysis webinars will be announced on this page.


While the ciders used in the webinar are not required to attend, we have found that practicing sensory skills with the certified instructors can be very beneficial in preparing for the sensory portion of the exam. Ciders must be purchased separately from webinars. Links for purchasing cider are included in the individual webinar.


*For all pre-recorded webinars, it is recommended to check on the availability of the ciders featured PRIOR to purchasing the webinar.


*Please note that ciders from different years or canning runs may have different sensory attributes.

Check out our YouTube Channel

Subscribe to the Certified Cider Professional™ Education Program YouTube Channel to watch full education videos and stay up to date on all the latest trends.

Zapiain Sensory Analysis Form


Joanes de Zapiain 2024 bottles can be purchased separately. Download the completed Sensory Analysis Forms to Practice along with Haritz.


PRICE: FREE

Avid Sensory Analysis Form


Avid Apple Pie Cider Cans can be purchased separately. Download the completed Sensory Analysis Forms to Practice along with

Jessica.


PRICE: FREE

Annapolis Sensory Analysis Form


Annapolis Geneva Crab bottles can be purchased separately in Canada. Download the completed Sensory Analysis Forms to practice along with Jenna.


PRICE: FREE

Pathway to Pommelier™ Webinar Recordings

Two K Farms Sensory Analysis Forms



The Harrison and Old World ciders can be purchased from Two K Farms.


Price: Free

Sensory Analysis Webinar Recording with Milk & Honey Ciders - April 2025



The Little Dipper and Fauna ciders can be purchased from Milk & Honey Ciders. ACA member? Link to member pricing can be found by clicking here.


Price: $30

Pre-Recorded Sensory Analysis Webinar with Tandem Ciders - Nov 2024


The Sweet Dabinett & Crimson Gold Ciders ciders can be purchased from Tandem Ciders. ACA member? Link to member pricing can be found by clicking here.


Price: $30

Pre-Recorded Sensory Analysis Webinar with ABAVAS - Oct 2024


The Grapefruit and Secret Garden Ciders ciders can be purchased from ABAVAS. ACA member? Link to member pricing can be found by clicking here.


Price: $30

Pre-Recorded Sensory Analysis Webinar with Meriwether Cider - March 2024


The Foothills Semi-Dry & Uncharted Imperial can be purchased from Meriwether Cider. ACA member? Link to member pricing can be found by clicking here.


Price: $30

Pre-Recorded Sensory Analysis Webinar with Brooklyn Cider House - June 2024


The Bone Dry and Rosé ciders can be purchased from Brooklyn Cider House. ACA member? Link to member pricing can be found by clicking here.


Price: $30

Pre-Recorded Sensory Analysis Webinar with Meriwether Cider - March 2024


The Foothills Semi-Dry & Uncharted Imperial can be purchased from Meriwether Cider. ACA member? Link to member pricing can be found by clicking here.


Price: $30

Pre-Recorded Sensory Analysis Webinar with Haykin Family Cider - Nov 2023


The Dolgo Crabapple and Yarlington Mills ciders in the webinar can be purchased from Haykin Family Cider. ACA member? Link to member pricing can be found by clicking here.


Price: $30

Pre-Recorded Sensory Analysis Webinar with Alma Cider - July 2023


The Semi Sweet and Rose ciders in the webinar can be purchased from Press then Press. ACA member? Link to member pricing can be found by clicking here.


Price: $30

Pre-Recorded Sensory Analysis Webinar with Artifact Cider Project - May 2023


The Slow Down and By Any Other Name ciders in the webinar can be purchased from Artifact Cider Project. ACA member? Link to member pricing can be found by clicking here.


Price: $30

Rare Cider Series Webinar Recordings

Pre-Recorded Sensory Analysis Webinar with Two Broads Ciderworks - December 2022


The limited release ciders from Two Broads Ciderworks are no longer available, but this is still a great practice webinar to review.


Price: $5

Meet The Global Cerified Pommeliers™

Meet the folks from around the country and the world who have successfully passed the Certified Pommelier™ exam. Check out their bios on our Certified Pommelier™ page to learn more about them, where they're from, and why they're passionate about cider.

Current Certified Pommeliers

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Haven't taken the Level 1 CCG Exam yet? Learn more about it now!
Contact Us

Have questions about becoming a Certified Pommelier™?

Please email Director of Education Jennie Dorsey, jennie@ciderassociation.org