Certified Crop Adviser

APPLICATION and

CREDENTIAL INFORMATION

2024

A certification program of the American Society of Agronomy

5585 Guilford Road • Madison, WI 53711-5801

International Certified Crop

Adviser (ICCA) Program

www.certifiedcropadviser.org

Office Phone: (608) 273-8085

Email: [email protected]

Contacts

CCA Representatives

Phone

(608) 268-4954

(608) 268-4959

(608) 268-8739

(608) 819-3900

Calling From

AL, AR, Canada, CT, DE, FL,

GA, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI,

MS, ND, NH, NJ, NY, PA, TN,

TX, VA, VT, WV

AK, AZ, BC, CA, HI, ID, IL,

Mexico, MT, NE, NM, NV, OR,

UT, WA, WY

IA, IL, KS, MN, MO, ND, SD,

Director of Certifications

Penny Magana

[email protected]

Grace Moran

[email protected]

Matthew Davey

mdavey@sciencesocieties.org

Dawn Gibas

[email protected]

Certified Crop Adviser

CREDENTIAL INFORMATION

Please consider not printing out this document and instead type and digitally sign in this fillable form.

When finished, download and email to [email protected] or your state's representative.

Table of Contents

Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Background . ...................

................................

CCA Certification Steps .

................................................................. 2

Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Program—Instructions. ........................................... 3

Application for Verification of Credentials. .................................................... 5

Code of Ethics ........................................................................... 6

Professional Expertise ....................

.................................................

Professional Experience Form—Example. ..................................................... 8

Professional Experience Form....................

...........................................

CCA Reference Form—Employer ............................................................ 11

CCA Reference Form—Client. ..............................................................

Summary of Short Courses & Internships .................

.....................................

Certification Maintenance .................................................................. 17

Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Background

The International Certified Crop Adviser (ICCA) program was developed by the American Society of

Agronomy (ASA) in cooperation with agribusiness retail dealers, cooperatives and manufacturers, state and

national trade associations, the USDA, and independent consultants. The representatives from these groups

acted as the CCA Steering Committee. Upon their recommendation, the CCA program was founded on four

principles.

1. The ICCA program should certify credentials at the base standards levels and initially should not require a college

degree to be eligible, but require all applicants to pass an international CCA exam.

2. The ICCA program must be administered in the states/provinces. Each state/province that participates will nominate

a local CCA board to review applications and develop a local board exam.

3. The ICCA program must be prepared to change as government policy changes.

4. CCA participants, once certified, will have to subscribe to the Code of Ethics, participate in continuing education

programs to maintain their certification, and pay an annual renewal fee.

The local CCA board that will administer the ICCA program will have to consist of at least seven

members with at least one representative from agribusiness, the state/provincial agency for

environmental protection, and extension, to ensure the program is educationally sound and meets the needs of

industry and government.

The American Society of Agronomy’s responsibilities are to coordinate the national activities, which

include providing the international exam and act as liaison with the federal agencies to keep the ICCA program in

tune with public policy. ASA serves as registrar and assists the local CCA boards with processing applications,

grading of all exams, and recording continu-ing education credits.

Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Certification Steps

Step 1 Pass both the international and local board exams.

Step 2 Complete this CCA Credential Packet within six months of passing both exams.

Step 3 The local CCA Board reviews your credential packet.

(NOTE: Once the forms are sent from ASA to the local board, usually on a monthly or

quarterly basis. The board has up to six weeks to grant or deny your certification.)

Step 4 Once granted certification from the local CCA Board, you will receive a certificate for framing

and a wallet card.

Step 5 In order to maintain your certification you will need to pay an annual renewal fee and earn 40

hours of continuing education units over a two year period.You may start receiving your

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the date on your CCA certificate. Any meeting course

hours taken before your certification date will not count towards your CCA.

Introduction

The International Certified Crop Adviser (ICCA) program is

open to anyone who provides crop management recommen-

dations to clients (e.g. farmers, growers, farm managers/

operators). The purpose of the program is to provide base

standards for certification for these individuals. The goal of

the program is to help agriculture as an industry meet its

environmental stewardship objective.

CCA Certification Process

1. All CCA applicants to be certified must pass the interna-

tional and local board exam and have their credentials

reviewed by their local board.

2. All CCA Credential Forms are sent to CCA, 5585

Guilford Road, Madison, WI 53711-5801.

3. Your Credential Forms are collected and permanently

filed in Madison. Please use an ink pen when completing

these forms. When your file is complete, a copy of your

file is sent to your local board for review.

4. You are notified after the local board reviews. If your

credentials are approved and you have passed the exami-

nations, you will be sent a Certificate of Certification. If

you are denied certification, you will receive a letter of

explanation.

Directions

1. Please fill out all of the information requested on the

Application for Verification of Credentials on page 5.

2. Pick the category—A, B, C, or D—that best describes you:

Full CCA Status

A. At least 4 years of crop advising experience, with no col-

lege degree.

B. At least 3 years of crop advising experience, Associates

Degree with 15 semester credits or 23 quarter credits of

agricultural sciences meeting minimum coursework

requirements as listed on summary of college course-

work pages.

At least 2 years of crop advising experience, BS Degree

and 15 semester credits or 23 quarter credits of agricul-

tural sciences meeting minimum coursework require-

ments on summary of college coursework pages.

C. Currently hold SSSA Certified Professional Soil Scientist

(CPSS) certification.

* NOTE: Your references may be used if your original

references are:

1. Dated less than 1 year old.

2. Specific to crop advising.

3. From a client you have given crop advice to.

If not all requirements above are met, then new

reference letters are needed.

Certified Crop Adviser (ICCA) Program

Provide all information requested for your category (A, B,

or D).

A. Full status with no college degree

B. Full status with college degree

-transcripts on file can be used if no additional

coursework taken since original application

D. CCA Candidate status if crop advising experience is

not met

CCA Candidate Status

D. CCA Candidate is granted to an applicant who has passed

both exams and has met all requirements as reviewed by

the local CCA board but does not meet the experience

requirement.

The applicant needs to indicate that they are applying for

CCA Candidate status. Please include any experience

that you have. If you do not have the required references,

you will need to provide at least one reference of any

kind which should be a non-relative such as former

employers from part-time jobs or professors. This refer-

ences does not need to be a farmer/grower.

The applicant will be notified by the ICCA Office of the

local CCA board’s decision. The applicant will be des-

ignated as a CCA Candidate for the number of months or

years that are required to fulfill the experience require-

ment. The time cannot be extended except in the case of

extenuating circumstances such as military duty, medical

related issues, or unemployment. At that time, the appli-

cant will need to update their experience form and pro-

vide the required references (employer and client) if they

have not done so already and submit those forms to the

ICCA Office to be reviewed by the local CCA board for

full CCA status.

CEU requirements and an annual renewal fee are not

required for the CCA Candidate Status. CEU and annual

renewal fee requirements will begin once the CCA

Candidate becomes fully certified and the status changes

to CCA as recommended by the local CCA board.

3. Sign application form and mail to CCA, 5585 Guilford

Road, Madison, WI 53711-5801.

Code of Ethics—page 6

• Make sure you read and sign the Code of Ethics on the

reverse side of the Application for Verification of

Credential.

Professional Expertise

The professional expertise areas allow you to connect, via

the “Find a CCA” directory, with other CCAs and share

knowledge within and across expertise areas. The “Find a

CCA” directory is available to the public – including farm-

ers, extension agents, and anyone else interested in the pro-

gram. In addition to the professional expertise areas, the

directory search can be based on name, location, type of

certification, and those self-identified areas of expertise.

And, designating your areas of expertise helps you market

yourself to current and prospective clients.

Crop Advising Experience Form—page 9

• To be certified an applicant must have either:

— Four years of crop advising experience working with a

client (e.g. farmer, grower, farm manager/operator)

and an unrelated degree or no degree; or

— Three years of experience and associate degree in an

agricultural related field; or

— Two years of experience and a baccalaureate degree

in an agricultural related field.

• Using the guidelines above, determine the years of

experience needed.

• A year of experience should be credited for each year

of qualified activity, if approximately one-third (i.e. at

least 30% to 35%) of your time is engaged in one or

more of the following activities:

a. Advising client(s) (e.g. farmers, growers, farm manag-

ers/operators) on crop production;

b. Teaching or educating crop advisers about topics

that are described in the Performance Objectives;

and

c. Advising or working with client(s) (e.g. farmers,

growers, farm managers/operators) to install soil con-

servation practices, or to meet state/province or

federal regulations that are related to crop

production (such as conservation compliance).

NOTE: If you spend less than 30% of your time

engaged in the activities described previous-

ly, partial credit might be assigned based on

the following:

Actual Experience CCA Experience

30% 1.00 year per year involved

25% 0.83 year per year involved

20% 0.66 year per year involved

15% 0.50 year per year involved

For example, an applicant spends 20% of his or her

time in activities outlined in a, b, or c and lists 10 years

experience. The applicant should receive 6.6 years

credit for experience (i.e.; 0.66 x 10 years = 6.6 years).

NOTE: If you spend less than 15% of your time in

activities outlined above, no credit for expe-

rience will be given.

• The crop advising experience form must clearly show

that you have the minimum number of years of experi-

ence providing crop advice to client(s) (e.g. farmers,

growers, farm managers/operators). (Review the exam-

ple on page 8.)

• Write in at the bottom of the page your estimate of

years of crop advising experience.

• Experience gained while farming may count as a

maximum of 1 year of the total work experience

requirement.

• Supervised Work Experience or Internship may be

used to substitute for six months of work experience

for each three months of supervised work experience.

Six months of supervised work experience may count

for a maximum of 1 year of work experience. The Crop

Advising Experience form should be used to describe

the supervised work experience. A separate attachment

is recommended.

Reference Forms—pages 11 and 13

• You must submit TWO non-relative references:

1) Reference form 1 is for your supervisor and

2) Reference form 2 is for a client (e.g. farmer, grower,

farm manager/operator) that you provide crop produc-

tion advice.

• If self employed, provide at least two references from

clients.

• You may send the completed references or have the

reference send them directly to Madison.

Summary of College/Short Course Work—page 15

• If you are applying under category B, you must submit

a transcript and complete the Summary of College

Course Work Form. Transcripts do not substitute for

the Course Work Form. Transcripts are kept in your

file in Madison. Transcripts must be “official” and

sent directly to ASA/CCA from the institution. Once

your file is complete, a copy of the Course Work Form

will be sent to the local board in which you are apply-

ing for certification.

Verification of Credentials

CERTIFIED CROP ADVISER

This does not register you for the exams.

Office Use Only

1. Applicant’s Name and Address

Please print or type: __ Dr. __ Mr. __ Ms. __ Mrs. __ Mx.

Contact No.

Last Name/First Name/Middle Initial ____________________________________________________________________________________

 Work Address  Home Address List in CCA Directory  Yes No

Address __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

City ____________________________________________________ State/Province ________________ Zip\Postal Code ______________

County ______________________________________ Country_________________________________

Business Phone ___________________________ Fax _____________________________ Email ______________________________

Cell Phone ______________________________________________ Home Phone _______________________________________________

Company Name ______________________________________________________ Title _________________________________________

Professional Expertise: See page 7 for options.

How would you like your name to be printed on your certificate?

2. PLEASE CHECK CATEGORY A, B, C, or D BELOW THAT BEST DESCRIBES YOU AND SUBMIT ALL THE FORMS REQUESTED.

 A. Full CCA Status—A minimum of 4 years of crop advising experience. Submit the following forms:

• Reference Forms—One from an employer & one from a client familiar with work history advising farmers, growers, farm managers or operators.

• Crop Advising Experience Form that verifies four years of crop advising experience.

• Code of Ethics Form—Please read and sign (on reverse side).

• Optional

— Summary of College/Short Course Form—In area III titled Supporting Short Courses/Internships, list continuing education

seminars or short courses most recently attended.

 B. Full CCA Status—A minimum of 3 years crop advising experience with an associates degree in agriculture or certificate OR

A minimum of 2 years crop advising experience with a BS degree in agriculture. Submit the following forms:

• Official College Transcript (Must be sent directly from university to our office--photocopies or faxes are not accepted.)

• Summary of College/Short Course Work form with college courses broken out in supporting areas I and II.

• Crop Advising Experience Form verifying years of experience.

• Reference Forms—One from an employer & one from a client familiar with work history advising farmers, growers, farm managers or operators.

• Code of Ethics Form—Please read and sign (on reverse side).

• Optional—If applying for internship credit, provide documentation in Area III of Summary of College/Short course Work.

3. SIGNATURE

I hereby certify that all information submitted in support of this application is correct and true to the best of my knowledge and that I have read and signed the Code of

Ethics on the reverse side. All information regarding this application will remain confidential. Digital print signatures are accepted.

____________________________

Date

__________________________________________________

Signature of Applicant

4. DOWNLOAD AND EMAIL TO: [email protected]

 Unrelated/No College Degree

• Reference Forms—At least one (See directions).

• Crop

Advising Experience Form verifying years of experience.

• Code of Ethics Form—Please read and sign (on reverse side).

• Optional—Summary of College/Short Course Form—In area III titledSup-porting

Short Courses/Internships, list continuing education seminars or short courses most

recently attended

C. Full CCA Status—Currently hold SSSA Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS) certification.

• Submit Certification number __________________________________

• Submit required forms on line.

*Under Directions—#2, category C, on page 3.

D. CCA Candidate Status (Still need work experience. See #2 under Directions on page 3.) Provide years of experience ________

Check which applies to you and submit the following forms:

 Minimum of Associate Degree in Agriculture

• Official College Transcript (photocopies or faxes not accepted)

• Summary

of College/Short Course Work form with college courses broken out in

supporting areas I and II.

• Crop Advising Experience Form verifying years of experience.

• Reference Forms—At least one (See directions).

• Code of Ethics Form—Please read and sign (on reverse side).

• Optional—If applying for internship credit, provide documentation in Area III of

Summary of College/Short course Work.

Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Code of Ethics

All individuals certified under the International Certified Crop

Adviser (ICCA) program must subscribe to the CCA Code of

Ethics. The ICCA Standards & Ethics Committee periodically

reviews the current Code of Ethics.

Article I. Preamble

1. The privilege of professional practice imposes obligations of

responsibility as well as professional knowledge. The ICCA

program certifies the credentials of individuals through state/

provincial certification boards.

2. When using the CCA designation, a CCA shall use profes-

sional conduct in all communications relating to this vocation

including but not limited to emails, blogs, and social media.

3. The ICCA program will award the title of Certified to indi-

viduals who meet the experience, testing requirements and the

continuing education requirements of the ICCA program. The

ICCA program does not require college level education. A col-

lege education will substitute for part of the ICCA work experi-

ence requirement as provided for in the ICCA guidelines.

4. Certified Crop Advisers (hereafter called CCAs), at the request

of a client or employer, must disclose the information used to

gain certification. CCAs who knowingly misrepresent their

credentials will face disciplinary action.

Article II. Relation of Professional to the Public

1. A CCA shall avoid and discourage sensational, exaggerat-

ed, or unwarranted statements that might induce participa-

tion in unsound enterprises.

2. A CCA shall not give professional opinion, or make a recom-

mendation, without being as thoroughly informed as might

reasonably be expected considering the purpose for which the

opinion or recommendation is desired; and the degree of com-

pleteness of information upon which it is based should be clear.

3. A CCA shall not issue a false statement or false information

even if directed to do so by employer or client.

Article III. Relation of Professional to

Employer and Client

1. A CCA shall protect, to the fullest extent possible, the interest

of the employer or client insofar as such interest is consistent

with the law and professional obligations and ethics.

2. A CCA who finds that obligations to the employer or client

conflict with their professional obligation or ethics should

work to have such objectionable conditions corrected.

3. A CCA shall not use, directly or indirectly, employer or client’s

information in any way that would violate their confidentiality.

4. A CCA shall not divulge information given in confidence.

5. A CCA retained by one client shall not accept without the cli-

ent’s written consent, an engagement by another if the interests

of the two are in any manner conflicting.

6. A CCA who has made an investigation for any employer or

client shall not seek to profit economically from the informa-

tion gained, unless written permission to do so is granted, or

until it is clear that there can no longer be a conflict of interest

with the original employer or client.

7. A CCA shall engage, or advise employer or client to engage

and cooperate with other experts, specialists and government

agency staff.

8. A CCA protects the interest of a client by recommending only

products and services that are in the best interest of the client

and public.

9. A CCA protects his/her credibility by disclosing to clients how

he/she will be compensated for providing recommendations to

the client.

Article IV. Relation of Professionals to Each Other

1. A CCA shall not falsely or maliciously attempt to injure the

reputation of another.

2. A CCA shall freely give credit for work done by others, to

whom the credit is due, and shall refrain from plagiarism of

oral and written communications and shall not knowingly

accept credit rightfully due another person.

3. A CCA shall not use the advantage of public employment (e.g.

university, government) to compete unfairly with other certi-

fied professions.

4. A CCA shall endeavor to cooperate with others in the profes-

sion and encourage the ethical dissemination of technical

knowledge.

Article V. Duty to the Profession

1. A CCA shall aid in exclusion from certification, those who

have not followed this Code of Ethics or who do not have the

required education and experience.

2. A CCA shall uphold this Code of Ethics by precept and exam-

ple and encourage, by counsel and advice, other CCAs to do

the same.

3. A CCA having positive knowledge of deviation from this Code

by another CCA shall bring such deviation to the attention of

the CCA’s Local Board.

Approved by

International CCA Board of Directors 07/97

Edited and approved by

ICCA Board of Directors 09/2016

I have read the Certified Crop Adviser Code of Ethics and agree to adhere to this code.

Print Name ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________ Date ______________________________________

Professional Expertise

The professional expertise areas allow you to connect, via the “Find a CCA” directory, with other CCAs and share knowl-edge within

and across expertise areas. The “Find a CCA” directory is available to the public – including farmers, exten-sion agents, and

anyone else interested in the program. In addition to the professional expertise areas, the directory search can be based on

name, location, type of certification, and those self-identified areas of expertise. Designating your areas of expertise helps you

market yourself to current and prospective clients.

Please check your top 4 areas of Professional Expertise that you would like added to your account.

Agricultural Regulation,

Business & Technology

(ARBT)

Agricultural Administration

Agricultural Development

Agricultural Economics

Best Management Practices

Ethics

Chemical/Fertilizer Labeling

Computer Assisted Design

Computer Modeling

Computer Uses

Conservation Planning/Food

Security Act

Crop Insurance

Crop Marketing

Crop Utilization

Dairy Economics

Digitized Mapping

Hazardous Waste Management

Information Systems

Labor Management

Livestock Economics

Pollution Control

Precision Ag

Product R & D

Regulatory Administration/

Enforcement

Regulatory Compliance Statistical

Analysis

Unmanned/Autonomous

Equipment

Integrated Pest Management

(IPM)

Agricultural Chemicals

Application Methods

Biocontrol

Entomology

Environmental Protection

Environmental Regulation

Fungal Pests

Invasive Species/Noxious

Weeds

Nematology

Organic Pest Control

Pesticide Use

Plant Metabolism

Plant Pathology

Resistance Management

Weed Identification

Weed Management

Wildlife Management

Nutrient Management (NM)

4R NMP (Nutrient

Management)

Comprehensive Nutrient

Management

Conservation Education

Farmland Preservation

Fertilizer Application

Fertilizer Blending/Formulation

Fertilizer Technology

(Variable Rate)

Manure Management

Micro-Nutrients

Plant Analysis

Plant Nutrition

Resource Conservation

Soil Sampling

Crop Management (Science,

Production &

Specializations) (CMSPS)

Biotechnology

Cannery (Processing) Crops

Corn

Cotton

Crop Breeding

Crop Ecology

Crop Enterprise Budgeting Crop

Forensics

Crop Genetics

Crop Physiology

Crop Production

Crop Quality

Farm Management

Forages

Grazing

Hops

Impact Assessment

Industrial Hemp Production

Land Classification

Land Management

Land Resource Analysis

Land Resource Development

Land Use Planning

Organic

Post-Harvest Physiology Pulses

Range Management

Range Soil Science

Reclamation

Rice

Seed Production

Seed Technology

Small Fruit Culture

Small Grains

Soybean

Tobacco

Tree Fruit

Tree Nuts

Tropical Crops

Turfgrass Management

Vegetable

Viticulture

Waste, Land Treatment/

Application

Wetlands Identification

Wheat

Soil Management (SM)

Acid-Sulfate Soils

Conservation Tillage

Forest Soils

Hydric Soils

Pedology

Saline Alkali Soils

Saline Soils

Sodic Soils

Soil and Water Conservation

Soil and Water Management

Soil Biochemistry

Soil Chemistry

Soil Erosion Sediment Control

Soil Fertility

Soil Genesis

Soil Interpretations

Soil Management

Soil Microbiology

Soil Mineralogy

Soil Morphology/Classification

Soil Physics

Soil Sampling & Analysis

Soil Survey

Soil-Plant Correlation

Soil-Water-Plant Relation

Streambank Stabilization

Surface Mine Reclamation

Waste Disposal, On-Site

Water Management (WM)

Ground Water Quality

Irrigation and Drainage

Irrigation Scheduling

Surface Water Quality

Water Diversion and Control

Horticulture (Gardens,

Nurseries & Turfgrass)

(HGNT)

Floriculture

Garden Center Management

Golf Course Management

Greenhouse Production

Horticulture

International Horticulture

Nursery Management

Ornamental Horticulture

Pomology

Plant Breeding

Plant Ecology

Plant Health

Plant Propagation

Sod Production

Specialty Agronomy/Ag

Education (SAAE)

Agricultural Climatology

Agro-Forestry

Agronomic Education

International Agronomy

Tropical Agriculture

EXAMPLE

Crop Advising Experience Form

CERTIFIED CROP ADVISER

INSTRUCTIONS

1. List full-time positions in sequential order, ending with current position.

2. List only positions in the area of crop advising. Work experience while obtaining a degree

should be included.

3. List beginning and ending month and year for all positions.

4. Show the percent of time on an annual basis for each work activity (should total 100%).

5. Under reference, list the reference(s) most familiar with each work experience.

6. Duties and responsibilities should be specific and detailed.

Employment Information

Length Degree Employer Professional % % Time/

From To Level Name, Location Title Time Duties and Responsibilities Activity Reference

7/91–7/94 High Agway Field Sales Crops/Dairy 100 25 Dave Smith

School Lancaster, PA 15 555-2143

Advising farmers on crop productio n

Develop crop plans for corn, potatoes, and tobacco

Take soil tests

Scout fields for insects

Application of pesticides

Dairy Sales

25% crop advising = .83 yr.

Total that applies to Crop Advising Experience is 2.49 years (.83 × 3 years)

9/94–9/01 High Sure Grow Field sales 100 40 John Brown

School London, ON 15 555-8693

Advise farmers on crop production

Develop fertilizer plans for corn, soybeans, and

snapbeans for 17 growers

Develop weed and insect control programs for

all crops

Field scouting

Oversee variety trials for corn and soybeans 5

15Manage blend plant

40% crop advising = 1 yr.

Total that applies to Crop Advising Experience is 7.0 years (1 × 7.0 years)

Years of crop advising experience this page 9.49

Actual Experience CCA Experience

30%

25%

20%

15%

1.00 year per year involved

0.83 year per year involved

0.66 year per year involved

0.50 year per year involved

EXAMPLE

Crop Advising Experience Form

CERTIFIED CROP ADVISER

Write graduation date next to degree obtained (MM/YYYY):

High School __________ AS _________

BS __________ MS _________ PhD _________

College/University ___________________________________

Major _____________________________________________

Employment Information—Please see example page 8 for instructions.

Length Degree Professional % % Time/

From To Level

Employer Name,

Location Title Time Duties and Responsibilities Activity Reference

Month/Yr–Month/Yr

Last Name _________________________________

Years of crop advising experience this page ____________

Today’s Date ________________________________

First Name __________________________________

Length Degree Professional % % Time/

From To Level

Employer Name,

Location Title Time Duties and Responsibilities Activity Reference

Month/Yr–Month/Yr

Last Name __________________________________

First Name __________________________________

Employment Information—Please see example page 8 for instructions.

Years of crop advising experience this page ______________

Total years of crop advising experience including all pages _______________ 10

The above-named individual is applying for CCA certification and has requested that you act as a refer-

ence. Once completed, please download and email to [email protected]. An applicant must

provide at least two non-relative references who are familiar with their experience providing crop management

advice to client(s) (e.g. farmers, growers, farm managers/operators). By completing this form you will be acting as

a reference for the applicant named above.

Please answer the questions and include any additional comments that you feel may be helpful. This form

will be reviewed by the CCA Local Board to ensure that the applicant has the necessary experience to be certified

as a crop adviser.

To become certified, a prospective applicant must pass the international and local board CCA

examinations. Applicants must have knowledge and skills in the areas of nutrient management, soil and water

management, integrated pest management, and crop management. As a reference, by checking 5 and 6 on this

form, you are acknowledging that the applicant has skills in these areas. The applicant must also have their

credentials reviewed and meet one of the conditions below:

Full CCA Status—

• 4 years of crop advising experience, or

• 3 years crop advising experience with an associate’s degree in agriculture, or

• 2 years crop advising experience with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture

CCA Candidate Status—

When finished, download and email to: [email protected].

CCA Reference Form—Employer

Click here to complete or send this form online.

The client fills out this entire form.

Applicant’s Name

Applicant’s Email

Reference Name

Reference’s Address

Phone

Please consider not printing out this

document and instead type and

digitally sign in this fillable form.

• Currently working toward full status, which will not be granted until enough experience and/or education is obtained.

 Supervisor/Manager  Client  Other as: ___________________________

2. What length of time have you known the applicant in the above capacity? _____________ years

3. For what period of time did the applicant work for you providing crop management advice to farmers/growers?

From ________________ to ________________ .

month/year month/year

 Yes

4. Knowing the minimum requirements for CCA certification, do you feel qualified to recommend this applicant to the local

CCA board to become certified in the area of certification as stated above?

 No

If “yes”, please proceed and complete the reference.

If “no”, please give a brief statement in no. 7 of your reason(s); sign and return this letter immediately.

 Yes

5. Do you feel that the applicant fully meets the eligibility requirements or is actively working towards meeting the requir-

ments of the Certified Crop Adviser Program?

No

6. Do you recommend this applicant to be certified by the local board as a Certified Crop Adviser?

No

7. Please list any comments that will aid the local board in making a fair evaluation of this applicant (optional).

 I hereby certify that all information submitted on this form is correct and true to the best of my knowledge.

CCA Reference Form—Employer

Please respond to the following items and include any pertinent information that you feel will aid in the evaluation of

the applicant’s credentials.

1. In what capacity have you had association with the applicant? I am (was) the applicant’s:

Signature _________________________________________ Date ______________________________________

(Type or Digitally Sign Name)

Organization Name _________________________________

Professional Title ______________________________

Location __________________________________

When finished, download and email to: [email protected].

CCA Reference Form—Client

Click here to complete or send this form online.

The client fills out this entire form.

• 4 years of crop advising experience, or

• 3 years crop advising experience with an associate’s degree in agriculture, or

• 2 years crop advising experience with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture

CCA Candidate Status—

The above-named individual is applying for CCA certification and has requested that you act as a refer-

ence. Once completed, please download and email to [email protected]. An applicant must

provide at least two non-relative references who are familiar with their experience providing crop management

advice to client(s) (e.g. farmers, growers, farm managers/operators). By completing this form you will be acting as

a reference for the applicant named above.

Please answer the questions and include any additional comments that you feel may be helpful. This form

will be reviewed by the CCA Local Board to ensure that the applicant has the necessary experience to be certified

as a crop adviser.

To become certified, a prospective applicant must pass the international and local board CCA

examinations. Applicants must have knowledge and skills in the areas of nutrient management, soil and water

management, integrated pest management, and crop management. As a reference, by checking 5 and 6 on this

form, you are acknowledging that the applicant has skills in these areas. The applicant must also have their

credentials reviewed and meet one of the conditions below:

Full CCA Status—

When finished, download and email to: [email protected].

• Currently working toward full status, which will not be granted until enough experience and/or education is obtained.

Applicant’s Name

Applicant’s Email

Reference Name

Reference’s Address

Phone

Please consider not printing out this

document and instead type and

digitally sign in this fillable form.

 Client/Grower  Other as: ___________________________

2. What length of time have you known the applicant in the above capacity? _____________ years

3. For what period of time did the applicant provide crop management advice to you as a farmer/grower?

From ________________ to ________________ .

month/year month/year

 Yes

4. Knowing the minimum requirements for CCA certification, do you feel qualified to recommend this applicant to the local

CCA board to become certified in the area of certification as stated above?

 Yes No

If “yes”, please proceed and complete the reference.

If “no”, please give a brief statement in no. 7 of your reason(s); sign and send in this letter.

5. Do you feel that the applicant fully meets the eligibility requirements or is actively working towards meeting the Certified

Crop Adviser Program?

No

6. Do you recommend this applicant to be certified by the local board as a Certified Crop Adviser?

No

7. Please list any comments that will aid the local board in making a fair evaluation of this applicant (optional).

 I hereby certify that all information submitted on this form is correct and true to the best of my knowledge.

Signature _________________________________________ Date ______________________________________

(Type or Digitally Sign Name)

CCA Reference Form—Client

Please respond to the following items and include any pertinent information that you feel will aid in the evaluation of

the applicant’s credentials.

1. In what capacity have you had association with the applicant? I am (was) the applicant’s:

Organization Name _________________________________

Professional Title ______________________________

Location __________________________________

When finished, download and email to: [email protected].

Summary of College/Short Course Work

CERTIFIED CROP ADVISER

Transcripts DO NOT substitute for this form and must also be provided.

___________________________

College or University

___________________________

Major

___________________________

Graduation Date (MM/YY)

Course

Number of credits

I. Core Courses

no. Dept. Title Sem. Qtr. Grade

Agricultural Science Courses

Agronomy

Soil Science

Crop Science

Plant Science

Entomology

Weed Science

Plant Pathology

Horticulture

Turfgrass

Other Specialized Crops

Minimum

15 Semester credits or

23 Quarter credits

Total

II. Supporting Core Courses

Biological Sciences

Botany

Biology

Zoology Biochemistry

Microbiology Genetics

Plant Physiology

(min. 6 hours)

Minimum

6 Semester credits

or 9 Quarter credits Total

Last Name __________________________________

First Name __________________________________

Course

Number of Credits

no. Dept. Title Sem. Qtr. Grade

Physical Sciences

Math

Inorganic Chemistry

Organic Chemistry

Physics

Climatology Statistics

Computer Science

Agricultural Economics

(min. 12 credits)

Minimum

12 Semester credits or

18 Quarter credits

Total

III. Supporting Short Courses & Internships Optional

List Additional Crop

Advising Experience for

Short Courses and

Internships

Optional

Total

II. Supporting Core Courses Continued

When finished, download and email to: [email protected].

Last Name __________________________________ First Name __________________________________

A. Renewal

1. Annual Renewal

a. Certification may be renewed annually

by payment of the appropriate fee. At the

end of the certification continuing

education cycle, renewal requires

evidence of completion of continuing

education units and the appropriate fee.

b. Renewal is due annually on 31 January,

and is considered delinquent if not paid

within 30 days after this date.

Certification is re-instated with payment of

the annual fee plus a late fee. The

registrant’s name will be dropped from

the active Registry if the fee is not paid

before 1 April.

B. Certification Maintenance/

Continuing Education Requirements

1. Every 2 years a Certified Crop Adviser

must complete 40 hours of continuing

education units (CEUs). One continuing

education unit is equal to one hour of

classroom training. Registrants are required

to take a minimum of 20 CEUs that have been

CCA Board approved. CEUs submitted by

registrants are subject to be audited by

the registrant’s local CCA board.

2. A CCA registrant’s certification may be

revoked for failing to maintain the required

CEUs. To regain certification a registrant

must appeal to the local CCA board for

reinstatement or pass the international and

local board exam and meet the current

eligibility requirement.

C. Denial, Revocation, or Suspension of

Certification

1. Rights and Responsibilities

a. The right to deny, revoke, and suspend

certification is vested in the local CCA board.

b. Since the certification is entirely voluntary,

the Society (ASA) assumes no responsibility

for any loss or disadvantage, real or

imagined, that may be alleged to have

resulted from denial of certification, or

revocation or suspension of an existing

certification.

2. Reasons for Denial, Revocation, or Suspension

a. Certification may be denied, revoked, or

suspended for any of the following reasons:

(1) If the local CCA board’s Ethics and

Standards Committee determines that the

applicant does not meet the minimum

requirements as stated.

(2) Violation of rules, regulations, or the

CCA Code of Ethics established by the

ICCA Board and the American

Society of Agronomy.

(3) Misrepresentation on an application or

willful submission of incorrect information

or failure to include relevant information in

any communication to the local CCA board

or Office of the Registry.

(4) If the local CCA board’s Ethics and

Standards Committee has substantial

proven charges of incompetence in the

area(s) of certification.

3. Appeal

a. Any applicant denied certification has the

right of appeal and hearing before the

entire local CCA board.

b. Any action to revoke or suspend

certification shall be preceded by a copy of

the complaint.

(1) Registrants will be given the opportunity

to appeal any such disciplinary action.

Certification Maintenance