WSET Spirits Certification
The Wine & Spirit Education Trust runs three spirits qualifications: the Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 Award in Spirits. Napa Valley Wine Academy teaches all three entirely online. Levels 1 and 2 are fully self-paced with no cohort and no start date, and their exams are sat online under remote invigilation. Level 3 is a nine-week instructor-led course, and its exam — uniquely among the three — includes a blind tasting paper and is sat in person. Every level includes 12 months of access to the course platform, and exam registration and fees are included in the price.
Compare the three levels
| Level 1 Award in Spirits | Level 2 Award in Spirits | Level 3 Award in Spirits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Anyone starting out. No prior knowledge assumed. | Bar, retail and hospitality staff who already know the basics. | Working professionals who need production detail, quality assessment and blind tasting skill. |
| How you study | Self-paced on demand. No cohort, no start date, no live webinars. | Self-paced on demand. No cohort, no start date, no live webinars. | Nine weeks, semi-synchronous. Five live webinars of 60–90 minutes, Tuesdays at 12pm Pacific. |
| Total Qualification Time (set by WSET) | 6 hours, including the 45-minute exam | 26 hours — 15 guided learning hours plus 11 hours of private study | 84 hours — 32.5 guided learning hours plus 51.5 hours of private study |
| What to budget in practice | 8–12 hours | Most students finish in 5–6 weeks at 4–5 hours a week | Around 100 hours across the nine weeks |
| Spirits covered | Nine spirits plus vermouth | Around eighteen spirits across six families | Scotch, Cognac, Armagnac, rum, Tequila, Mezcal, vodka, gin and more |
| The exam | 30 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes, closed book | 50 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes | Two units in one 2 hour 40 minute session: 50 multiple-choice questions and 10 short written answers, plus a 30-minute blind tasting of two spirits |
| Where you sit it | Online, with remote invigilation | Online, with remote invigilation | In person, at a scheduled exam location |
| Grading | 70% to pass (21 of 30). Pass or fail only — no Merit or Distinction. | 55% to pass (28 of 50). Merit at 70–84%, Distinction at 85% or above. | 55% required in each of the three components independently. |
| Recommended before you start | Nothing. You must be 21 or over. | No formal prerequisite, but some basic spirits knowledge is assumed. | Level 2 in Spirits is strongly recommended, though not formally required. |
Current tuition for each level is shown on the course listings below.
Which level should you start at?
If spirits are new to you, or you want a credential to put on a résumé quickly, start at Level 1 — it is six hours of work and the exam is 30 multiple-choice questions.
If you already pour, sell or buy spirits for a living, start at Level 2. There is no requirement to hold Level 1 first, and Level 2 is where the category detail begins: how each spirit family is actually made, and why that shows up in the glass.
Level 3 is a different order of commitment — 84 hours, a written paper and a blind tasting exam. It is the qualification to hold if you are building a spirits programme, buying for a group, or teaching. We strongly recommend completing Level 2 first, even though WSET does not formally require it.
The three qualifications in detail
WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits
A foundation-level qualification covering the main types and styles of spirits, how they are made, how to store and serve them, and the basics of mixed drinks. Nine spirits plus vermouth are recommended for tasting alongside the material. The exam is 30 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes with a 70% pass mark, sat online. View the Level 1 Award in Spirits course.
WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits
An intermediate qualification covering the principal spirit categories and liqueurs, the production processes behind them, and the factors that shape style and quality. Around eighteen spirits across six families are recommended. The exam is 50 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes with a 55% pass mark, sat online, and Merit and Distinction grades are available. View the Level 2 Award in Spirits course.
WSET Level 3 Award in Spirits
An advanced qualification for the trade, covering spirits production in technical detail and the systematic assessment of quality and style. Our nine-week course runs on the Issue 3 curriculum with five live tastings led by an instructor. The exam is the most demanding of the three: a 2 hour 10 minute theory unit of 50 multiple-choice questions and 10 short written answers, followed by a 30-minute blind tasting of two spirits, with 55% required in each component independently. View the Level 3 Award in Spirits course.
About tasting samples
Spirits samples are not included in the price at any level, and students source their own bottles. This is worth knowing before you enrol, and it is deliberate: spirits keep indefinitely once opened, bottle sizes and shipping rules vary widely by state, and most students already own several of the bottles on the recommended list.
At Levels 1 and 2 there is no tasting component in the exam at all — WSET does not require candidates to taste alcohol to earn either qualification, so tasting along is recommended but optional. At Level 3 the blind tasting paper is examined, so tasting practice is essential.
Why study spirits with Napa Valley Wine Academy
- All three levels, from one provider. Very few US schools teach the full Level 1 to Level 3 spirits ladder, which means you can progress without changing provider or re-learning a new house style.
- One of the largest and most awarded WSET Approved Programme Providers in the United States, and winner of the Riedel Trophy for the WSET Educator of the Year in 2016 and 2019. See our published WSET pass rates.
- Genuinely online. Levels 1 and 2 start the moment you enrol — no waiting for a cohort.
- 12 months of platform access at every level, so the material stays available while you prepare for the exam.
- Group savings of 5% for two students, 8% for three and 10% for four or more.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to start at Level 1?
No. There is no formal prerequisite for Level 1 or Level 2, and many trade professionals begin at Level 2. Level 3 is the one case where we strongly recommend holding the level below it first.
Are the spirits samples included?
No. At every level students source their own bottles from the recommended list. Nothing in the course fee covers alcohol.
Do I have to drink alcohol to pass?
At Levels 1 and 2, no — WSET does not require candidates to taste alcohol, and neither exam has a tasting component. At Level 3 the exam includes a blind tasting of two spirits, so tasting is required.
Where do I sit the exams?
Level 1 and Level 2 exams are taken online with remote invigilation, so you can sit them from home. The Level 3 exam is sat in person, and travel to the exam location is not included in the course price.
How long does Level 3 really take?
WSET sets the Total Qualification Time at 84 hours. Our course runs over nine weeks, and we advise budgeting around 100 hours in total to be comfortable going into the exam.
Is there a Level 4 in spirits?
No. Level 3 is the highest WSET spirits qualification. The Level 4 Diploma is a wines qualification.
What about beer and sake?
WSET runs Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications in beer, and Levels 1 to 3 in sake. We teach the Level 1 Award in Beer, the Level 2 Award in Beer, the Level 1 Award in Sake and the Level 2 Award in Sake, all online.
WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits Online | On-Demand Course
WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits Online | On-Demand Course
