THE BCE/ACE PROGRAM AND YOU

1. THE BCE/ACE PROGRAM AND YOU

2. WHAT IS CERTIFICATION? • ESA conducts a program that tests the knowledge & experience of practicing entomologists & certifies their professionalism. • Continuing education & adherence to a strict code of ethical standards are required to maintain certification.

3. IS CERTIFICATION FOR ME?

4. In today's increasingly complex and highly-specialized economy, credentials are everything.  Sure, you know you've got the skills to do the job, but how do you convince potential customers and employers???? 

5. For many career-minded pest management professionals, certification is often the answer.

6. CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

7. Do you work frequently with the public, or among other professionals who are not scientists? • Does your employer require you to stay current with the latest industry developments? • Are you the kind of person who likes to be the best at what you do?

8. Are you considering switching jobs and want to make the best impression possible? • Is there a lot of competition in your field of work (e.g., do you need to stand out from the crowd)? • Are you required to maintain an annual license as a professional to practice?

9. If you answered yes to any one of these questions, then perhaps certification is right for you. Many professionals (such as crop consultants, administrators, public health, veterinary, urban entomologists, and pest control professionals) frequently choose to become certified.

10. BOARD CERTIFIED ENTOMOLOGIST (BCE) OR ASSOCIATE CERTIFIED ENTOMOLOGIST (ACE) WHAT IS THE BEST AVENUE FOR YOU?

11. BOARD CERTIFIED ENTOMOLOGIST PROGRAM

12. BCE ELIGIBILTY PhD or Doctoral degree A PhD in entomology or a related field, plus 1 year work experience in the field. Masters degree A Masters degree in entomology or a related field, plus 2 years work experience in the field. Bachelor's degree A Bachelor's degree in entomology or a related field, 3 year's work experience in the field.

13. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NEEDED IN BCE APPLICATION • Academic transcripts (for degreed candidates) • Current CV • 2 contacts for letters of reference (or a minimum of 2 completed letters of reference) • Required fees, & a willingness to abide by ethical standards set in the BCE Code of Ethics.

14. EXAMINATIONS FOR BCE CERTIFICATION • A GENERAL ENTOMOLOGY QUALIFYING EXAMINATION IS FIRST REQUIRED TO TEST GENERAL KNOWLEDGE • A SECOND EXAMINATION IS REQUIRED IF CANDIDATE WISHES CERTIFICATION IN ONE OF (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) 6 CATEGORIES, THESE ARE:

15. BCE CERTIFICATION SPECIALTIES • GENERAL ENTOMOLOGY • URBAN & INDUSTRIAL ENTOMOLOGY • MEDICAL & VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY • REGULATORY ENTOMOLOGY • PLANT-RELATED ENTOMOLOGY • PESTICIDE DEVELOPMENT, ANALYSIS, & TOXICOLOGY

16. BCE APPLICATION AND INFORMATION ON STUDY GUIDES AND PROCTOR SELECTION FOR THE EXAMINATION CAN BE ACCESSED THROUGH THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA'S WEBSITE: http://www.entsoc.org click on "CERTIFICATION" or go directly to: http://wwwentocert.org ALL APPLICANTS MUST TAKE AN ONLINE

17. MAINTAINING YOUR BCE CERTIFICATION ALL BCE MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A PROFESSIONAL MAINTENANCE & CERTIFICATION REPORT EVERY 3 YEARS TO THE ESA CERTIFICATION COORDINATOR

18. BCE PROGRAM FEE SCHEDULE

19. ARE YOU CURRENTLY A STUDENT BUT LACK THE PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE TO BECOME A BOARD CERTIFIED ENTOMOLOGIST? THEN THE BCE INTERN PROGRAM IS FOR YOU!

20. ADVANTAGES • No application/testing fee. • $20.00 annual fee as ESA member until experience met ($40 nonmember). • Use testing as preparation for prelims and/or departmental written exams! • Use to prepare for Linnaean Games competitions! • Must take BCE General Qualifying Exam and may take one or more specialty exams as Intern. • Once work experience requirement is met, BCE Interns must take a specialty exam and become a full BCE.

21. ASSOCIATE CERTIFIED ENTOMOLOGIST PROGRAM

22. ACE ELIGIBILTY • The Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) program makes entomological certification possible for those without a formal degree in entomology. • If you have extensive experience and knowledge in entomological pest management through on-the-job training, experience, and self-study, you may qualify to become an ACE.

23. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN ACE? • Be eligible to use the ACE Designation after your name (business cards, advertising, etc.) • Receive on-line subscription to ESA newsletter • Be able to attend ESA meetings at below-market rates

24. APPLICANTS TO ACE PROGRAM MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING: • Current pesticide applicators license (a copy must be sent to ESA's Certification Coordinator) • A minimum of 7 years of verifiable pest management experience • A willingness to adhere to the ACE Code of Ethics

25. ALL ACE CANDIDATES ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE AN ONLINE EXAMINATION ALL APPLICANTS MUST TAKE AN ONLINE • The ACE examination is designed to recognize practicing pest management professionals who have a solid grasp of the practical aspects of applied entomology. The major categories of competency covered by the exam include: • Basic entomology • Identification, life cycles, practical control measures for important structural pests • Health impacts of pests • Ecological principles pertaining to pest control • Environmental impacts related to pest control • Integrated pest management (IPM) principles • Pesticide safety and health issues • Pesticide technology and resources • Organizations & associations of significance to pest control industry • Laws and regulations affecting the industry

26. ACE PROGRAM FEE SCHEDULE Application Fee - $125 ESA members, $150 nonmembers Includes your first year of certification, online examination, and processing of your application. If you become an ACE after October 1st of the current year, your application fee also includes the following year's certification. Annual Renewal Fee - $100 ESA members, $125 nonmembers Each year an ACE will be required to submit a renewal application with a copy of current Pesticide Applicators license. Failure to submit renewal in a timely fashion will result in the revocation of certification status and loss of all rights and privileges associated with certification. Reinstatement may require re-application to the program. Re-testing Fee - $50 ESA members, $75 nonmembers This nominal fee is assessed in the case where an applicant does not pass the examination on the first attempt and needs to retake the test. The fee will be assessed each time that the test needs to be re-administered.

27. MAINTAINING YOUR ACE CERTIFICATION To retain their certification, ACEs must renew annually with ESA. For those who are ESA members, the process is simply a matter of ensuring that the appropriate fees are included with the standard membership renewal and that a photocopy of the pesticide applicator's license is submitted to the Certification Coordinator.

28. CURRENTLY, THE FASTEST GROWING PART OF THE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IS THE ACE PROGRAM

29. ACE APPLICATION AND INFORMATION ON STUDY GUIDES AND PROCTOR SELECTION FOR THE EXAMINATION CAN BE ACCESSED THROUGH THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA'S WEBSITE: http://www.entsoc.org click on "CERTIFICATION" or go directly to: http://wwwentocert.org ALL APPLICANTS MUST TAKE AN ONLINE

30. SHOW YOUR PROFESSIONALISM BECOME CERTIFIED TODAY!