Advanced Applications are open through November 1
Apply to the Advanced Sommelier Course or Advanced Sommelier Examination
Advanced Sommelier Course
A three-day educational program exploring the Court of Master Sommeliers standards in beverage sales and service in greater depth. The course consists of classroom-style lectures designed to give candidates a template for upper-level exam study and a clear understanding of expectations at the Advanced Sommelier Examination, and small breakout tasting sessions which allow for individualized feedback and advice.
Recommendations prior to applying:
- Wait at least one calendar year after passing the Certified Sommelier Examination in order to adequately prepare for the Advanced Sommelier Course
Advanced Sommelier Course Eligibility:
- The applicant must have at least two years of experience working in a restaurant service or sales job within the last seven years.
- The applicant must have passed the Certified Sommelier Exam before applying.
- The applicant has not attended the Advanced Sommelier Course before.
The Sommelier Knowledge Assessment (SKA) is a component of the application for those attending the Advanced Sommelier Course in the United States. The Sommelier Knowledge Assessment is administered at local testing centers and is composed of questions designed to measure a candidate’s aptitude and preparedness in all three areas of our curriculum: Theory, Tasting and Hospitality & Service.
The Advanced Sommelier Course is a prerequisite to the Advanced Sommelier Examination.
Please see the Examination Site Policy that defines where a candidate may attend the course depending on geographic location and exam history.
Advanced Sommelier Course Dates and Locations
- Advanced Sommelier Course – Dallas, Texas – June 9-11, 2025
- For students living in the United States
- Advanced Sommelier Course – Seoul, South Korea – TBD
- For students living in South Korea and other Asian countries
Advanced Sommelier Examination
- The Advanced Sommelier Examination tests the Court of Master Sommeliers standards in beverage sales and service. The exam represents a significant elevation over the Certified Sommelier Examination in required experience, knowledge, and skill level.
- The examination consists of three sections:
- Theory (written)
- Tasting (verbal)
- Practical
- Hospitality and Service
- Business of the Sommelier
The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas (CMS-A) launched a modified format for the Advanced Sommelier Examination in 2022. This evolution provides candidates with greater access to the examination and improved feedback.
The new format, which is outlined below, mirrors the format of the Master Sommelier exam in which the Theory portion of the exam is separated from the Practical and Tasting portions of the exam. All three portions of the exam still must be passed in the same calendar year. Students applying for the Advanced Sommelier Exam will NOT be required to take the Sommelier Knowledge Assessment (SKA).
Theory
Candidates pursuing the Advanced Sommelier Certification will be required to successfully complete the Theory portion of the exam first. The Theory portion remains a written exam that will now be administered at a local-to-you, industry-leading Pearson VUE testing center.
- Upon passing the Theory portion, candidates will be invited to sit the Practical and Tasting portions later in the year.
- Candidates that do not pass the Theory portion must wait until the next calendar year to retake it.
- Candidates are still required to pass all three portions of the examination within a calendar year; if a candidate passes Theory but does not pass the Practical and/or Tasting portions, they must begin again with Theory the following year.
Hospitality & Service Practical and Tasting
The Hospitality & Service Practical and Tasting Portions of the exam will continue to be administered in-person by a team of experienced Master Sommelier examiners at appropriate hospitality venues.
Who is Eligible to Take the Advanced Sommelier Examination?
- Advanced Sommelier Examination Eligibility:
- The applicant must have at least three years of experience working in a restaurant service or sales job within the last seven years.
- The applicant has attended the three-day Advanced Sommelier Course before applying.
- The applicant must currently be employed in the restaurant, hospitality or beverage industry.
- Passing requirement: A candidate must achieve a minimum of 60% on each section within one calendar year.
- All eligible applicants are invited to sit for the Advanced Sommelier Theory examination. In the following cases, they will be required to wait an additional year between efforts to allow for the preparation necessary for a reasonable chance of success:
- A first attempt at Practical without at least a 40% score
- A second consecutive year’s attempt at Practical without at least a 50% score.
- A third consecutive year’s attempt at Practical without at least a 55% score.
- Note: There is no required minimum score on any attempt at the Tasting portion
Advanced Application Process
- Applicants can only apply for the course or exam, not both
- Application fee of $100.00 due at time of application submission
- Letters of recommendation are not needed for ANY CMS-A programming application.
- Applications open on October 1 and close on November 1 of each year.
In 2023 the CMS-A expanded the capacity of the Advanced Sommelier Course from 150 to 200 seats and expanded the metrics as to how we allocate seats to include not only a candidate’s performance on the SKA but also to include additional factors for inclusion of underrepresented communities. Our aim is to continue to encourage unique perspectives, promote a more inclusive dialogue, and serve as a more accurate representation of the make-up of the hospitality industry as a whole.
Eligible students who apply for the Advanced Sommelier Examination will be required to successfully complete the Theory portion of the exam first. Information on scheduling the Theory exam at a Pearson VUE center will be provided via email to candidates whose applications are accepted. The Advanced Sommelier Theory Examination will have an unlimited number of seats to accommodate all qualified applicants who meet the eligibility criteria.
Advanced Dates & Application Process
The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas will offer two Advanced Sommelier Courses, Advanced Sommelier Theory Examinations and Advanced Sommelier Practical and Tasting Examinations in 2025, one in North American and one in Asia.
Advanced Sommelier Courses
Dallas, Texas – June 9-11, 2025 – $1899
Seoul, South Korea – TBD
Advanced Sommelier Theory Examinations: $399
Pearson VUE Testing Center – February 25, 2025
Pearson VUE Testing Center – TBD for students living in South Korea & Asia
Advanced Sommelier Practical and Tasting Examinations
July 14-16, 2025 Phoenix, AZ – $999
Fall 2025 Seoul, South Korea
Candidates who pass the 2025 Theory Examination are invited to sit the Practical and Tasting portions
Scholarship Info
SommFoundation provides scholarships for the Advanced Sommelier Course & Examination and Master Sommelier Diploma Examination. Please visit their website at www.sommfoundation.com/scholarships for more information.
NOTE: The Court of Master Sommeliers, Europe continues to offer a five-day Advanced Course and Examination. The respective Boards of the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas and the Court of Master Sommeliers, Europe work together to ensure a consistent global standard. The only difference is the format in which the programs are offered. See Examination Site Policy for more information.
