SCA Authorised Campus · Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur
The SCA Certification Pathway.
Eight Courses. One Global Standard.
Specialty Coffee Association certificates are the only coffee credentials recognised in 70+ countries. Barista or roasting, beginner or professional -- every level taught and assessed here by an SCA Authorised Trainer with 27 years in specialty coffee.
A Certificate That Works in Melbourne, Dubai, London and Home.
An SCA certificate is not a piece of paper -- it is a passport. Every course also earns CSP points toward the SCA Coffee Diploma, the highest credential in specialty coffee.
Global Mobility
Recognised by employers and coffee institutions in 70+ countries. Your certificate travels with your career.
Hiring Advantage
SCA credentials are required or preferred for head barista, head roaster, trainer and management roles.
CSP Points
Every level earns Coffee Skills Program points toward the SCA Coffee Diploma -- the pinnacle of coffee education.
Assessed, Not Attended
You earn it. Practical and written exams mean the certificate actually proves your level to any employer.
Barista Skills Track
From First Shot to Head Barista.
Foundation, Intermediate, Professional -- or bundle the first two and save. Each level includes the online course, practical assessment, written exam and official SCA certificate.
SCA Barista Foundation
Your first step into the global coffee community. Espresso preparation, milk technique and cafe hygiene to SCA standards -- the credential every specialty cafe recognises.
SCA Barista Intermediate
The level that separates hobbyists from professionals. Extraction science, advanced milk texturing, workflow efficiency and customer service.
SCA Barista Professional
The pinnacle of the barista pathway. Advanced sensory calibration, production workflow, training methodology and business operations.
Experienced Barista? Skip the Intermediate Course Entirely.
More than 3 months working behind a machine? You may not need the course -- just the certificate. Apply with 2 of your latte art patterns and a short questionnaire. If you meet the requirement, you go straight to the exams.
- Apply: submit 2 latte art patterns + a short experience questionnaire.
- Prepare: approved applicants receive a PDF study guide for the online written exam.
- Certify: sit the 2-hour practical exam at our campus, then the online exam. Same official SCA certificate.
Applications are assessed individually. If we spot gaps, we will recommend the full course instead -- so you cannot make a wrong choice.
Roasting Track
The Science of Green to Gold.
From basic roast theory to professional production management -- taught and assessed on real commercial roasters at our Petaling Jaya lab.
SCA Roasting Foundation
Roast theory, basic operation and safety. Understand how heat, time and airflow transform green coffee -- the entry credential for every roastery role.
SCA Roasting Intermediate
Profiles, development time and defect identification. Deeper control for people already around a roaster who want recognised technical knowledge.
SCA Roasting Professional
Advanced thermodynamics, cupping for quality control, production management and green buying. For those running roasting operations.
SCA Roasting Foundation + Intermediate
The complete roasting pathway in one booking. Ideal for anyone entering the roasting profession or moving from cafe to roastery.
Save RM590 vs booking separatelyPure SCA Course -- or Practical Course + SCA Add-On?
Both paths end at the same certificate. The difference is how much hands-on skill you build on the way.
So You Got Your AST Licence. Now What?
SCA issues the Authorised Trainer licence -- but their support for new ASTs stops there. We teach you how to actually run a course, structure a curriculum and manage a classroom.
Barista AST Prep
Deliver engaging, effective barista training that students actually learn from. Curriculum structure, classroom management, assessment techniques and handling the tricky questions.
Learn MoreRoaster AST Prep
Translate complex roasting science into teachable content that sticks. From green coffee to production roasting -- help your students become confident, competent roasters.
Learn MoreCoffee Expert Pathway
The Coffee Diploma is the pinnacle. We help you accumulate CSP points across disciplines, identify knowledge gaps and prepare for the advanced assessments.
Learn MoreNote: Only the SCA can issue Authorised SCA Trainer licences. Our AST Prep courses are designed for trainers who already hold their licence and want to develop world-class teaching skills.
Certification Is the Start, Not the End.
Lifetime WhatsApp Support
Complete any multi-day course and message our trainers forever -- recipe questions, career advice, troubleshooting. We are with you for your entire coffee journey.
Alumni Discounts
Graduates receive exclusive alumni pricing on future courses, workshops and events. Keep levelling up without breaking the budget.
Before You Enrol
Do I need experience to start with Foundation?
No. Both Barista Foundation and Roasting Foundation are designed for complete beginners. You learn everything from the ground up -- no prior coffee knowledge required.
Can I skip the course and just take the SCA exams?
Yes, for SCA Barista Intermediate. If you have more than 3 months of professional barista experience, submit 2 latte art patterns and a short questionnaire. Approved candidates sit the 2-hour practical exam and online written exam for RM990, with a PDF study guide included. The certificate is identical to the full-course version.
Can I skip Foundation and go straight to Intermediate?
SCA recommends completing Foundation first, as Intermediate builds directly on its concepts. With significant industry experience you may be eligible to skip Foundation with instructor approval -- message us on WhatsApp to discuss your background.
What are CSP points and why do they matter?
CSP stands for Coffee Skills Program. Each SCA course earns points -- accumulate 100+ across modules to earn the SCA Coffee Diploma, the highest credential in specialty coffee.
Should I choose a pure SCA course or a practical course with an SCA add-on?
Pure SCA courses focus on theory and exam preparation -- ideal if you need the certificate quickly. Our practical courses include extensive hands-on machine time with SCA certification as an add-on (+RM400-500). Choose practical + SCA if you want job-ready skills AND the credential.
Are the exams included in the course price?
Yes. Every SCA course includes the online course, practical assessment, written exam and official SCA certificate. No hidden exam fees.
When are the next intakes?
New intakes run every month with limited seats per class. Message us on WhatsApp with the course you want and we will confirm the next available dates immediately.
Ready to Get Certified?
Pick your track, choose your level, and join the global community of certified coffee professionals. Not sure where you fit? Tristan will point you to the right starting point.
SCA Authorised Campus · Small groups · Exams and certificates included
Secure checkout via Samcart · WhatsApp: +60 12-650 1615 · Cottle Coffee Academy, Petaling Jaya