Level I

Certified Scotch Professional (CSP)

—or—

Certified Bourbon Professional (CBP)

The Council’s challenging Level I certifications are the respected benchmark in professional level Scotch and Bourbon expertise. The Level I program allows candidates to focus either on Scotch or Bourbon—becoming knowledgeable in the great single malts of Scotland, or in the important grain spirits of the United States. Passing either Level I program is a prerequisite for enrollment in Level II.

Enrollment in the Certified Scotch Professional (CSP) and Certified Bourbon Professional (CBP) programs is now open! Review program details, sample questions and registration info here for the CSP and here for the CBP.

Level II

Certified Whiskey Specialist (CWS)

The Council’s rigorous Level II professional certification is the gold standard credential in global whiskey competence. All Level II candidates must have previously passed either the Certified Scotch Professional (CSP) or the Certified Bourbon Professional (CBP) exam. The Certified Whiskey Specialist (CWS) exam covers both Scotch and Bourbon in detail, as well as important whiskeys from Japan, Ireland and Canada.

Those Scotch or Bourbon professionals who pass the Level II exam demonstrate the theoretical foundations to proceed to master level study (Levels III & IV).

This certification is now open for enrollment HERE.

We realize that the beverage class of “whisk(e)y” is subject to different spellings in depending on the region. For that reason, we allow each successful candidate to choose either the spelling “Certified Whiskey Specialist” or “Certified Whisky Specialist” for their printed diploma. Both spellings are also approved for their use.