At the backbone of the Q Grading System are Licensed Q Graders, professional cuppers accredited by the Coffee Quality Institute. These Q Graders must pass a rigorous three-day exam to earn their certification, comprising of 22 sections on coffee related subjects, such as green grading, roast identification, coffee cupping, sensory skills and sensory triangulation. There are currently over 1,000 Licensed Q Graders worldwide.

Those who pass the Q Grader Certification Course are authorized to use the Q logo and the nomenclature "Licensed Q Grader" as a professional accreditation.

Note: This course is being held in a SCAA Certified Lab with a SCAA-credentialed instructor and follows the standardized teaching method in place by SCAA.