Sommelier Society of America
New York's First Professional Wine Organization

Registration Policy

Registration Policy


Minimum Age:
You must have reached 21 years of age to take this course. At the discretion of the Education Director, you may be asked for proof of age.

Tuition Deadline:
Application and payment (they must be submitted together) are accepted prior to commencement of the fall or spring session of the Sommelier Certificate Course. Seating is limited and seat reservation is dependent on space available.

Seat Confirmation:
You will received a seat confirmation email 24-48 hours after registering. You must confirm receipt of this email. Please check spam folders, and add our email to your contacts.

Once your seat is confirmed, and you have paid your tuition (in full or the first installment), you will receive an email seat confirmation.

**Please do not attend the first day of class without seat confirmation.

Payment Options: payment in Full, and payment by Subscription
Registration is completed by selecting your payment option. You may pay in full, meaning the full fee for the Course at the time of registration. You may also pay by subscription, four equal monthly payments of the Course fee at the time of registration. If you wish to pay by check please request this option by email: info@sommeliersocietyofamerica.org. Bank fees incurred from returned checks are the responsibility of the individual or organization responsible for payment. Payments by installment must be made on time and according to the agreed upon dates.

Subscription Payments:
Selecting this option you will be charged one quarter of the tuition fee in four equal monthly installments. Please be sure to keep your card information current before you are charged each month. If a payment does not go through, the site will attempt to charge the card provided again in five days. After the second failed attempt the subscription is automatically cancelled. Cancelled subscriptions cannot be reversed. It is the students’ responsibility to keep their card information current. If your subscription is cancelled and you do not contact us to re-register, you will receive a refund for the amount paid, and your seat will be offered to the waitlist.

Final payment must be received in full in order to sit the final exam. Balance must be paid in full for eligibility to re-enroll in the Course.

Final Exam:
The final exam applies to the Sommelier Certificate Course: The two-hour final exam questions are based on information from lectures, class handouts, and textbook reading assignments. There is a blind tasting component of the exam. Students may postpone taking the final exam until the next session; students may also retake the final exam.

Retake Exam Policy:
The final exam for the Sommelier Certificate Course is given twice a year, at the end of each session. The fee to retake the Sommelier Certificate Course exam is $150.

The final exam must be taken in person. At this time there is no remote, online or virtual option.

The final exam is given twice a year, at the end of each session.

Absenses:
A student may have a maximum of four absences. Missing more than four classes leaves the student unprepared for the final exam.

Diploma:
A passing grade of 75% is required to receive the Sommelier Society of America Certification Diploma. Students who score a minimum of 90% receive a pin and diploma with distinction.

Make-Up Classes:
One may take a make-up class with the permission of the Chairman and providing there is space available. The make-up class must be taken the next session only. One may not retake more than four classes without contacting the administration office to get approval. To re-take the entire course, one must re-apply and pay the full tuition.

Recording Devices are not permitted. For promotional and social media purposes, there may be photographs taken during classes. Persons who do not wish to be filmed or recorded should advise SSA by email prior to the start of the Course session.

Dress Code:
Casual business attire recommended.

Cancellation & Refund Policy:
No refunds are issued once classes begin for the Certificate Course.

Please plan carefully. A no-penalty full refund must be requested no later than one month prior to the first day of class.

Seat confirmations are not transferable.

Cancellations for "Audit One Class" are accepted 24 hours before class begins; after 24 hours one may apply the fee to another single class during the same session only.

Please plan carefully. Seats are not transferrable.

COVID-19 Policy:
We abide by the COVID safety protocols and practices as mandated by New York State and New York City guidelines for businesses. You will be asked to provide proof of vaccination to attend classes in person. Proof of vaccination must be provided prior to the first class. Scans of vaccination cards or screenshots from Excelsior apps can be sent via email to: info@sommeliersocietyofamerica.org