Professional Barista Skills Course Information
Updated Course Description: The Barista Skills Professional course is designed to test advanced skills and detailed knowledge of the science behind processes used by a professional barista (for example, a barista with 12 months or more of work experience). Successful candidates will have explored and demonstrated the advanced skills typically expected of a head barista. In particular, participants will learn a sophisticated tasting methodology and descriptive explanation of coffee flavors; gain a detailed understanding of drink ingredients and the techniques available to maximize the quality of the drinks made, understand how to manage the skills of others to produce quality drinks, demonstrate an understanding of how to develop brew recipes and a systematic method of structuring beverage menus, and finally be able to consistently apply the highest standard of latte art and milk steaming techniques. A written exam tests professional course knowledge while a practical exam tests the skills described above based on different working activities carried out during the course.
Course Length: Minimum 21 hours including practical exam.
Minimum course hours are met in the following ways:
The AST delivering live instruction in-person or through distance learning.
The AST conducting informal and formal assessments. (Note: This does not include time spent by the learner taking the online
written exam.)
The learner engaging in activities that introduce and/or reinforce the theoretical or practical course objectives.
Pre-requisites: Barista Skills Intermediate course.
Introduction to Coffee and Barista Skills Foundation are recommended. All knowledge and skills from these modules will be assumed as being held and may be tested through the practical and/or written assessments. Brewing Intermediate is also recommended. The ideal candidate has worked as a barista for a minimum of 12 months, in a role with some managerial responsibilities.
Barista Skills Professional Resources
Written Exam Information:
Total Exam: 30 Questions.
Total Time Allowed: 32 minutes.
Passing Score: 80% +
Practical Exam Information:
Total Time Allowed: 95 minutes
Total Number of Sections: 4
Passing Scores: The Professional Barista Skills practical exam tests the key skills demanded of a high-level coffee professional. Each section is carefully calibrated to evaluate the learner’s skill competencies. All sections must be passed in order to pass the exam as a whole. A 100% score is not expected, but competence must be shown in each section. Please refer to the exam for unique section passing scores.
