Q Grader Certification in 2026: SCA, CVA and the CQI Transition

The Q Grader system changed materially in late 2025. From October 1, 2025, the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) took over operation of the Q Grader Program from the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI). The current course is based on Coffee Value Assessment (CVA).

The current pathway

New candidates take SCA's Q Grader course. The course lasts six consecutive days and focuses on sensory evaluation, cupping, green coffee grading and CVA.

Candidates complete nine assessments: eight practical evaluations and one written exam. All must be passed to earn the Q Grader license.

The license is valid for three years. Renewal is handled through continuing professional development under SCA's current program.

What happened to CQI Q Arabica and Q Robusta?

Those were the legacy pathways. Both Q Arabica and Q Robusta graders were eligible to transition into the updated SCA Q Grader program. The new SCA license is not species-specific.

This is important for Fine Robusta because older articles often describe an active R-Grader or Q Robusta certification route. That is historical context, not the current 2026 pathway.

What remains useful from CQI?

CQI's historical role in building the Q system and Fine Robusta quality language remains important. Its post-harvest processing education also continues independently of the Q Program transfer.

Historical CQI Fine Robusta records can still be useful evidence when their date, protocol, evaluator and lot identity are preserved.

Buyer checklist

Before relying on a Q-related document, verify:

• the date;
• the issuing organization or system at that date;
• the evaluator's credential;
• the assessment framework;
• the sample or lot identity;
• whether the document is historical CQI Q evidence or current SCA/CVA evaluation.

OCC routing

This page supports the Fine Robusta grading cluster and should not compete with the grading or standards Owners.