Take the advanced Certified Pommelier™ exam at Sydney Cidery in Sydney, Australia, on 14th October, 2026!

Are you ready to take the next step in your professional development in the cider industry?

If you have already passed the Level 1 Certified Cider Guide™ exam and are looking for that next challenge? Now is your chance!

The American Cider Association is pleased to announce that a Certified Pommelier™ Exam will be held at Sydney Cidery in Sydney, Australia. The exam will take place on Wednesday, the 14th of October 2026. The exam will begin promptly at 9:00 AM.

*Level 1 Certified Cider Guide™ certification is a prerequisite for taking the Certified Pommelier™ Exam.  You must earn your L1 certification before registering for this advanced exam.

(Haven’t taken your Level 1 Certified Cider Guide Exam™?

Buy your bundle here!  ACA Member discounts for Level 1 are available in the Resource Hub.)

WHAT IS THE CERTIFIED POMMELIER™ EXAM?

The Certified Pommelier™ exam consists of two parts: a written theory exam comprising short answer and essay questions, and a blind sensory evaluation of two flights of 3 ciders each. Passing the introductory level exam is a mandatory prerequisite to sitting for the Level 2 Certified Pommelier™ exam.

Certified Pommeliers™ must have a fundamental understanding of all topics covered at the introductory level, but must also be able to think critically and demonstrate a deeper understanding of cider and the cider industry.

The topics covered in the exam are:

• Apples, the Orchard & History

• Cider Making

• Flavor & Evaluation

• Cider Families

• Keeping & Serving

• Food & Cider

• Social Responsibility

WHY BECOME A Certified Pommelier™?

Cider is a beautifully nuanced beverage that is less well understood by most consumers. Having the knowledge and skills required to become a Certified Pommelier™ will equip you to better serve customers, enhance your standing in the beverage community, and give you a unique and valuable professional qualification. Being recognized as a Certified Pommelier™ will put you in the vanguard of advanced cider specialists in this ever-growing category.

HOW MUCH DOES THE TEST COST?

The exam registration fee is $350. Current ACA members receive a discounted rate of $250 for the Certified Pommelier™ Exam. Members can find that code in the Resource Hub.

If a candidate sits for the exam but does not pass either section, or only passes one of the two sections, theory or sensory evaluation, they can resit for the section of the exam that they did not pass at a future date. The fee to retake the exam is $175 for non-members and $125 for current ACA members.

Read Terms & Conditions before registering.

WHAT MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE TO STUDY FOR THE EXAM?

• The Certified Pommelier™ Study Guide is available directly through Amazon. It is also available at all of Amazon’s international sites. 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.

• There is also a dedicated Facebook Group (that is open for all to join) with prep materials and in-depth peer conversations that many candidates have found useful. 

• Sensory evaluation is an important part of being a Certified Pommelier™, which is why we test your ability to accurately analyze the structural components, aromas, and flavors of a variety of ciders. To aid in the development of your sensory evaluation skills and to understand the approach to testing them, we have several pre-recorded videos available for purchase. In addition, we host several live sensory analysis webinars and in-person sensory workshops each year. You can access the videos and look for scheduled webinars and workshops here.

• You can also access helpful educational videos by subscribing to our YouTube Channel

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

(Download the Frequently Asked Questions document.)

• When will we receive our graded exams? Exams are not returned to candidates; you will be notified of your passing status within 6 weeks of the exam date. If you did not pass a section of the exam, you may request a breakdown of your points by general topic to help you identify areas in which you could improve your score should you wish to retake the exam.

• What is the grade needed for passing? 60% of the possible points for sensory evaluation and 70% for theory

• Is there a tasting section on the test? Yes. You will be asked to evaluate six ciders in two flights, one flight that assesses your ability to distinguish between key structural elements and a second where you are asked to complete a full evaluation of three ciders using the Structured Sensory Analysis format. The possible aromas and flavors document will be supplied for use during the exam.

• How long does the test take? You are given 2 hours to complete the theory section of the exam and 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete the sensory evaluation section.  There is a 15-minute break in between sections.

• Is it ok if the name on my ticket or registration doesn’t match the person who attends? Registrations are not transferable, so the name on the I.D. presented at check-in for the exam must match the name on the registration.

• What happens if I cannot attend my registered exam? Please see Exam Rescheduling, Timelines, and Fees in the Terms and Conditions Document for full details.  If you do need to cancel your registration, exam registration fees can be refunded up to 14 days before the exam. Please note that a $25 administration fee applies to any cancellation.

• When can I register for the exam?  Exam registration is open until 14 days before the posted exam date. 

• How can I contact the organizer with any questions? Please contact Director of Education Jennie Dorsey at jennie@ciderassociation.org.

• What can I bring into the event? Bringing a personal water bottle is recommended for both sections of the exam. Cell phones, smart watches, computers,  books or papers, and any and all other personal items must be left at a designated storage area in the exam room. Pencils will be provided, and spare paper will be available on request. Spit cups and water will be provided during the evaluation exam. We encourage you to bring your own water bottle for the theory exam. Please contact Director of Education Jennie Dorsey at jennie@ciderassociation.org prior to registering for the exam if you wish to request special accommodations.

• Is the Certified Pommelier™ Exam available in my area? Certified Pommelier™ exams are held periodically throughout the year at various locations. Please check our current exam schedule to find an exam suitable for you. 

• How many Certified Pommeliers™ are there currently? You can find the current number of Certified Pommelers here.

• Do I need to pass the Certified Cider Guide™ exam to take the Certified Pommelier™ exam? Yes.  Passing the introductory exam to become a Certified Cider Guide™ is a prerequisite. If you have not yet taken this exam, you can purchase a digital bundle that includes an instructional video, a study guide, and access to an online exam HERE.

• Are there ID or minimum age requirements to sit for the event? YES. You must be of legal drinking age in the country where you take the exam, and when checking in, you must provide a photo ID that verifies your age and identity.