SCA Certification

What Is the SCA?

The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is the global nonprofit organization that sets standards, provides education, and fosters community in the specialty coffee industry. Founded in 2017 through the merger of the SCAA (America) and SCAE (Europe), it represents thousands of professionals worldwide.

The Coffee Skills Program (CSP)

The SCA's flagship education pathway covers six modules:

• Introduction to Coffee — foundational knowledge
• Barista Skills — espresso preparation and service
• Brewing — filter coffee methods and theory
• Green Coffee — sourcing, grading, and buying
• Sensory Skills — taste calibration and evaluation
• Roasting — the science and craft of coffee roasting

Each module has three levels: Foundation, Intermediate, and Professional. Completing all modules at Professional level earns the SCA Coffee Diploma — one of the highest credentials in the industry.

Q Grader Certification

The Q Grader is a separate certification administered by the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), closely aligned with SCA standards. Q Graders are licensed to officially score and grade specialty coffee using the SCA cupping protocol. The exam is notoriously rigorous — covering sensory triangulation, organic acid identification, roast identification, and more.

Why These Standards Matter

• Common language — professionals worldwide can communicate about quality consistently
• Quality assurance — objective scoring enables transparent buying and selling
• Education — structured learning paths raise industry knowledge
• Consumer confidence — certified professionals ensure higher standards

SCA at Röstschmiede

Our team continues to invest in SCA education because we believe professional development directly translates to better coffee in your cup. The standards, protocols, and sensory skills we develop through SCA training inform every decision from sourcing to roasting to serving.