Earn Your Sake Professional Certification

Sake School of America’s team is comprised of sake industry professionals. Here is your chance to study with experienced sake brewers, expert sake sommeliers, sake event specialists, and portfolio managers. We value the variety of experiences our certified team brings, because their background is as varied as our students! Each and every class, we ask – where can your sake certification take you?

Open Courses

 

Join Our Growing Community

We’re with you every step of the way – from the classroom to on the job – supporting your desires to grow as a sake professional. Learn the basics of sake history with us and apply that knowledge in advanced sake sommelier courses. Ready to extend your knowledge of sake topics? Connect with us at sake seminars and sake events we support throughout the year.

 

Advance Your Career

With the growing demands in the hospitality and restaurant industry for sake professional training courses, our courses provide key knowledge to support new Sake Advisers and Sake Sommeliers in the field.

Our courses are ideal for businesses that want to re-skill staff or individuals seeking to expand their sake and shochu product knowledge.

Company

What is Sake School of America?

Sake School of America is a pioneer in sake professional development and education, supporting talented sake and shochu professionals in the US and overseas. SSA offers 1 day and 3 day courses in sake and shochu education for hospitality, restaurant, and sales teams. With our corporate sake training program, we help businesses develop talent and integrate sake into their portfolio.

Courses

What is the Sake Service Institute (SSI) of Japan?

The Sake Service Institute (SSI) is the largest organized body for Sake Sommelier certification in Japan. Since 1990, under the leadership and management of Mr. Keiji Migita and Mr. Haruyuki Hiyuki, SSI has developed certification programs covering sake, shochu, beer, wine, liquors, cheeses, cigars, and others totaling 29 different genres. SAKE SCHOOL OF AMERICA is honored to be the first program in the United States to be officially endorsed by SSI International.

What is the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET)?

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) was founded in 1969 to provide high quality education and training in wines and spirits. Since then, WSET has grown into the foremost international body in the field of wines and spirits education, with a suite of sought-after qualifications. The WSET exists to promote, provide and develop high quality education and training in wines, spirits and other alcoholic beverages for those already in or intending to join the trade, and enthusiastic consumers throughout the world. It aims to be the leading educational body in our field.

Which course is right for me?

Our courses are open for beginner to advanced students interested in Japanese Sake and Shochu. In addition, we provide tailored feedback for students that need support with their course options. Please note, some of our Advanced sake courses may have prerequisites. Learn more about our Sake School of America courses with our Building Your Career in Japanese Sake overview.

Can I take a course in English or Japanese?

We are the only US based sake education center that provides Sake Adviser and Shochu Adviser courses in English and Japanese language. All course instruction, textbooks, and exams are offered in the target language. Please review course language option prior to enrollment.

What methods of payment do you accept?

We accept payment via Paypal for credit card and Paypal payments. Payment via check is also accepted but payment must be received 2 weeks prior to the course date. We are unable to ship course materials or register students prior to payment submission.

I registered for a course but can't make it. What's your refund policy?

Students are politely requested to notify us at: info@sakeschoolofamerica.com if they are unable to attend their course prior to the course start date. Please note, once shipped, course textbook fees are deducted from refund payments. We also offer the option to apply a course payment towards a future course date.

Exams

Are there requirements for course examinations?

Yes, we request students bring a valid photo ID when participating in exams. This allows us to verify students and ensure the exam process is strictly regulated. Our exams are not open book so please keep this in mind when preparing for your upcoming exam.

Can I re-take an exam if I do not pass?

Yes – we offer all students the option to resit an examination. Additional fees apply for students that resit. For more information, please contact our office directly at: info@sakeschoolofamerica.com.

What is the recommended preparation for my course?

For all courses, we recommend reading through the course materials at least twice prior to your class date. Our courses are conducted at an extremely accelerated pace and it is important for you to be familiar with the material prior to the course. Our advanced courses include blind tasting examinations. For these courses, please familiarize yourself with tasting vocabulary.

Certification

Will I receive a Certificate after the completion of my course?

Upon the successful completion of your class you will receive a diploma with an individualized certification number issued to you by the Sake Service Institute (SSI) of Japan or Wine & Spirits Education Trust. Please refer to your selected course for information on the certifying institution.

How long after I take the class should I expect to receive my course certificate?

Typically, you will receive your certificate and lapel pin 6 – 8 weeks after the date of your exam. Please contact us promptly in the event you have a change in address.

What benefits do students receive after completing courses?

Certification is valid after completion of course examination with a passing score and does not expire. Our students have gone on to become restaurant beverage managers, sake consultants, sake sommeliers, and more. We provide the tools for students to leverage their sake education for their personal career goals.
We recommend students interested in further professional development and networking opportunities to attend additional sake seminars held throughout the year.

Have a Question? – Contact Us