Yes, your Q Grader certification remains valid until the date of expiration on the certificate. You are eligible for a fast track to be recognized as an evolved Q Grader, operated by SCA by completing a two-day CVA for Cuppers course before December 31, 2025. (See pathways for details). 

Current or Lapsed Q Instructors and Assistant Instructors are eligible for a fast track to authorization as instructors of the evolved Q, which they can earn by completing the two-day CVA for Cuppers course by December 31, 2025.  (See pathways for details). 

Every certified Q Venue will transition automatically to SCA’s Premier Training Campus network, and certification will be valid until the expiration date of its current certification. Thereafter, renewal will be handled by SCA. If you are a Q Venue whose certification expires between now and the transition date of September 30, 2025, your certification will be extended until September 30, 2025. 

Both Q Arabica and Q Robusta Graders will qualify for the evolved Q Grader program. 

The following individuals are eligible to become a CVA for Cuppers Course Trainer (upon earning the certificate, completing the trainer onboarding, and paying a $150 license fee): 

• Sensory Skills ASTs  

• Current or lapsed Q Instructors 

• Current or lapsed Assistant Q Instructors  

• Alliance for Coffee Excellence Head Judge 

• A research or instruction professional connected with an institution of higher education with documented work in sensory science 

• A professional sensory panel trainer 

• An instructor in an education program centered on sensory science/cupping operated or accredited by a governmental agency; or a similar program operated or accredited by a non-governmental national coffee organization. 

For more information, visit Become a CVA for Cuppers Course Trainer — SCA Education 

We understand that this transition is unexpected. In order to effectively teach the Coffee Value Assessment to students, we do require all current Q Grader Instructors to take the CVA for Cuppers Course by December 31, 2025.

Yes, by filling out the form, you ensure the quickest processing time for your license, once license requirements are met. You can fill out the form here.

We are currently experiencing a high volume of applications and aim to process them within 5–7 business days. If your application involves a lapsed Q Grader or Instructor license, additional processing is needed due to database transfers between CQI and SCA. 

Yes. Certificates are in development and will be available to download from your SCA portal. For now, new Q Graders and Instructors receive a digital badge in the SCA portal.

Like the original Q Grader Course, the new program is an intensive, multi-day course to build coffee evaluation skills. The course uses the practice of cupping, which is conducted according to the practices laid out in SCA Standard 102-2024, as its primary evaluation method. Learners will need to pass a series of challenging tests at the conclusion of the course to earn a Q Grader License in the new system. 

The new program is based on the Coffee Value Assessment (CVA) framework, which divides evaluation into four distinct assessments: descriptive, affective, physical, and extrinsic. Learners are trained and tested in each area separately and upon completing the course and passing its tests, a cupper is equipped to present a holistic, high-resolution view of a coffee’s value to a seller or a potential buyer. This structure aligns with the practical skills needed by professionals working in evaluation roles throughout the coffee value chain—including producers, traders, buyers, and consultants. 

For more about the skills evaluated, see the Value of a Cupper white paper (2022), published after consultation with a diverse group of professional cuppers. 

Prospective Q graders are able to progress to the new Q license by completing the current Q certification and accessing the FastTrack option for the new program, or by waiting to take the new program available in October 2025. Considerations like time, availability, and financial situation are likely to impact your decision. For example: if earning your license is urgent, you might want to avail of the FastTrack option--in which case, you would need to retake the test(s). 

It is more beneficial to invest in the CVA for Cuppers Course, which aligns with the new license framework and will allow you to obtain a 3-year new license. 

• There is no cost for the license itself. 

• However, there is a fee for the CVA for Cuppers Course, payable to the trainer. 

• Continue checking the course calendar – instructors are continuing to add courses! 

• Contact CVA Trainers directly to express interest. Many are willing to travel or organize a course if demand exists. 

• No calibration is required. 

• Continuing professional development (CPD) will need to be completed during the license term in order to renew a new license. 

• More details on CPD requirements will be shared in the coming months.

Yes; if you’re a lapsed Q Instructor or a lapsed Assistant Instructor, you are eligible for the new Q Instructor License via the FastTrack. 

• Graders: 3 years 

• Instructors: 3 years 

• Licenses are valid from the date all requirements are fulfilled and entered into SCA’s system. 

No. The evolved Q program will not be exclusively taught in SCA Premier Training Campuses, however they will continue to offer the best facilities for students and trainers to conduct training. 

The PHP program is not impacted by these changes. 

We are monitoring the availability of CVA for Cuppers Courses and within the next several weeks we will be better able to understand how to assist in course availability.  

Both CQI Q Graders and holders of SCA Professional Sensory Skills Certificates have invested in developing competencies that prepare them to work as professional coffee evaluators. To receive the new Q Grader License via the FastTrack, a member of either group must take the CVA for Cuppers Course by the December 31, 2025 deadline, which requires cupping experience as a prerequisite and ensures proficiency in the Coffee Value Assessment upon completion.  

No, because CVA itself is intended to be species (and process) neutral. Cuppers have been applying the CVA (with the exception of the Physical Assessment, which mirrors the 2004 system) to canephora, with acceptable results. However, efforts are underway to expand the framework to include Robusta descriptors in the short term (by the end of 2025). Collaboration with canephora researchers is underway to achieve a more comprehensive inclusion of other Coffea species attributes in 2027.

Yes; this is currently in development.