The group, calling themselves the "Center for WSET Reform" claim that the WSET has violated state laws in at least thirteen states. Moreover, the group believes that the Trust's actions may inadvertently expose their students to potential civil and criminal prosecution in at least nine other states.
At least twenty affiliated schools offer WSET programs (Foundation, Intermediate, and Advanced) across the United States. These affiliated schools, including the WSET's flagship International Wine Center in New York, continue to claim to offer professional training for the wine trade.
The Center for WSET Reform claims that none of the WSET programs or its affiliated schools have been properly licensed in any state to offer professional training. "A school --even a wine school-- cannot run a professional training program without a state-approved license." the group states on their website, "doing so is illegal, and perpetrators could face criminal charges along with tens of thousands of dollars in civil fines."
In order to bring awareness to the problem surrounding the problems surrounding WSET and its certifications, the Center for WSET Reform have redesigned their website. The site is now designed to be a clearinghouse of the legal issues surrounding the WSET, and helpful hints as to what those affected can do to protect themselves and their careers: http://tinyurl.com/
