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The Certified
Crop Adviser Program (CCA) is one of the
professional certification programs offered by the
American Society of Agronomy (ASA). It is a
voluntary program providing a base level of
standard through testing and raising that standard
through continuing education.
The program is
administered, locally, by 37
state/regional/provincial boards called "Local
Boards" throughout the United States and Canada.
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All states,
except Alaska, are directly involved in the CCA
Program; the program continues to grow and
currently has 14,523 individuals registered. Each
CCA had to pass two exams (international and
local) and submit credentials detailing their
education, crop advising experience plus two
references. They must sign and adhere to a code of
ethics.
The exams cover
four major competency areas: nutrient management,
soil and water management, integrated pest
management and crop management. Continuing
education must also fall into one of these four
areas to be valid for CCA Continuing Education
Units (CEUs).
Education level related to percent passing the
exams:
|
Education Level |
% Passing |
|
< High School |
35 % |
|
High School |
57 % |
|
< Bachelor Science |
69 % |
|
Bachelor Science |
81 % |
|
Masters |
89 % |
|
PhD |
89 % |
Average passing
percentage over all testing opportunities is 60%.
The number of
CCAs with at least a Bachelor of Science Degree is
greater than 70%.
To maintain the
certification, the CCA must earn 40 hours of
continuing education every two years. The program
has averaged a 94% renewal rate.