Pathways to Becoming a Q Instructor 

Are You Eligible for the Fast Track?  

CVA for Cuppers Trainers

Your Next Steps:

Step 1: Start by filling out the Q Application Form and get ready for the Q Onboarding course!

Arabica and Robusta Q Instructors and Q Assistant Instructors, Current*​ or Lapsed

*For qualifications obtained by September 30, 2025.

Your Next Steps:

Step 1 a: Earn the CVA for Cuppers Course Certificate by December 31, 2025.

and/or Step 1 b: Have you already earned your CVA for Cuppers Course Certificate? Congratulations—your next step is to fill out the Q Application Form and get ready for onboarding!

Step 2: Once your application form has been submitted and approved you’ll be able to register for the Q Onboarding Course. Find more details here.

Cup of Excellence Head Judges

Your Next Steps:

Step 1 a: Earn the CVA for Cuppers Course Certificate by December 31, 2025. Earn the CVA for Cuppers Course Certificate by December 31, 2025.

and/or Step 1 b: Have you already earned your CVA for Cuppers Course Certificate? Congratulations—your next step is to fill out the Evolved Q Application Form and get ready for onboarding!

Step 2: Once your application form has been submitted and approved you’ll be able to register for the Q Onboarding Course. Find more details here.

SCA Sensory Skills AST

Your Next Steps:

Step 1 a: Earn the CVA for Cuppers Course Certificate by December 31, 2025. Earn the CVA for Cuppers Course Certificate by December 31, 2025.

and/or Step 1 b: Have you already earned your CVA for Cuppers Course Certificate? Congratulations—your next step is to fill out the Q Application Form and get ready for onboarding!

Step 2: Once your application form has been submitted and approved you’ll be able to register for the Q Onboarding Course. Find more details here.

Step 2: Once your application form has been submitted and approved you’ll be able to register for the Q Onboarding Course. Find more details here.

Q Instructor Onboarding

Start Here

Once your Q Application Form has been submitted and approved you’ll be able to register for the Q Onboarding Course. Once you complete your onboarding within 45 days, you will be authorized to teach the course!

Register by following the link below and visiting My Education > Q Applications.

What Happens During Onboarding?

The Q Instructor Onboarding course is designed to prepare you to both teach and administer the Q Grader course. It focuses on two main areas: course content and teaching preparation, and course administration.

To help ensure consistency in delivery and the learner’s experience, we’ve prepared a course guidebook and supplemental documents, and scheduled some optional curriculum-focused webinars to deepen your knowledge and ask questions in real-time. Once you’re familiar with the course content, you’ll sit the Q Instructor Onboarding Exam to confirm your understanding.

Alongside the course content, we have prepared the Q Instructor Administrator Onboarding session. This includes two online meetings over the course of one week, along with self-paced materials and assessments. This is required if you haven’t already completed the AST or CVA Trainer courses.

Once you have passed all requirements within 45 days of registering, you’ll be authorized to teach the course!