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  • What is a Cicerone?
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What is a Cicerone?

The word Cicerone (sis-uh-rohn) designates hospitality professionals with proven experience in selecting, acquiring and serving today's wide range of beers. To claim the title of Cicerone, one must earn the trademarked title of Certified Cicerone® or hold a higher certification. Those with a basic level of expertise gain recognition by earning the first-level title Certified Beer Server. Only those who have passed the requisite test of knowledge and tasting skill can call themselves a Cicerone. If you want to see the full scope of what a Master Cicerone® should know see the Master Cicerone Syllabus.

A Quick Introduction

"Cicerone" is pronounced "sis-uh-rohn"

The Cicerone Certification Program seeks to ensure that consumers receive the best quality beer at every service occasion. To facilitate this, those who sell and serve beer need to acquire knowledge in five areas:

  • Keeping and Serving Beer
  • Beer Styles
  • Beer Flavor and Evaluation
  • Beer Ingredients and Brewing Processes
  • Pairing Beer with Food

To encourage participation by those with various interests and ambitions, the program offers four levels of certification beginning with the simplest and building to the most complex and demanding:

  • Certified Beer Server
  • Certified Cicerone®
  • Advanced Cicerone®
  • Master Cicerone®

This website offers extensive information about the program, including free study resources and sample exam questions. It also allows you to access or register for the certification exams and the optional paid education programs that we offer.

Become a Cicerone

How Do You Get Certified?

Your starting point for becoming certified is to register on this website by clicking on "Create Account." Once you register, your "My Account" page will be customized to your level and progress so that you will see the courses and exam(s) that are appropriate for you. As a registered user, you also gain access to additional free materials such as the syllabus for your level, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you don’t see the information you need, send us a message and we’ll do our best to get back to you with a prompt response.

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Can anyone call themselves a cicerone?

  • Read more about Can anyone call themselves a cicerone?

No, they can not. The Craft Beer Institute holds registered trademarks on the use of the word "cicerone." Please see our "Titles, Trademarks and Proper Use" page for more information.

What is the origin of the word “Cicerone”?

  • Read more about What is the origin of the word “Cicerone”?

Cicerone is an English word referring to "one who conducts visitors and sightseers to museums and explains matters of archaeological, antiquarian, historic or artistic interest." A Certified, Advanced, or Master Cicerone possesses the knowledge and skills to guide those interested in beer culture, including its historic and artistic aspects. These titles now designate a person with demonstrated expertise in beer who can guide consumers to enjoyable and high-quality experiences with great beer.

How is a Cicerone different from a Beer Sommelier?

  • Read more about How is a Cicerone different from a Beer Sommelier?

While many beer sommeliers have received excellent training, the content of each program differs. Furthermore, anyone can use the title "beer sommelier" — even if they know very little about beer! The Cicerone exams provide well-known and respected benchmarks for assigning beer expertise. Since the Cicerone titles hold trademark status in the US, Canada, Europe, and other parts of the world, only those individuals who have passed these exams can use those titles. To ensure the validity of a Cicerone title for any individual, in any country, check the online certification directory at cicerone.org.

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