Certified Crop Adviser Program
Knowledge. Experience. Dedication. That's the CCA Value.
Are you looking for a local agronomy or crop expert? Someone who has been certified as having knowledge and experience? Then you need a certified professional from one of the certification programs of the American Society of Agronomy.
The American Society of Agronomy has developed a tool to search for a CCA based on location and specialty.
To Become Certified
Applicants for certification must:
- Have two years crop advising experience with a Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy, or four years post high school crop advising experience (must be documented with transcripts, detailed description of experience and supporting references or three years of experience with an associates degree in an agronomy-related field).
- Pass both a local and international CCA exam, covering four major competency areas: nutrient management, soil and water management, pest management and crop management.
- Sign a Code of Ethics.
- Submit references from a grower and a colleague/employer.
- Earn 40 hours of continuing education every two years.
Program Overview
Continuing Education Unit Requirements and Policies
- 40 CEUs every two years
- A minimum of five CEUs in each of the four competency areas
- A minimum of 20 CEUs must be board-approved
- Ohio accepts approved CEUs from all states
If you are certified by the Ohio Department Agriculture as a “pesticide applicator," you may receive 10 CEUs in pest management for your two-year CEU cycle. To obtain these CEUs you must send a copy of your current Ohio Applicator License to:
American Society of Agronomy / CCA Program
5585 Guilford Road
Madison, WI 53711
Exam Information
The CCA Exam is now an internet-based exam, available within a one week window in the spring and fall each year via a remote proctor.
Exam Week: Wednesday, February 3 – Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Exam Details: The CCA Exam is offered exclusively online, completed at the examinee's computer and monitored by a proctor via the examinee's webcam, with additional security features to protect the integrity of the exam. The exam can be taken 24 hours a day within the designated exam week, including Saturday and Sunday. Examinees must schedule their exam time at least 24 hours before they plan to complete the exam (this is an additional step to registering for the exam).
Registration Period: Exam registration is available online starting October 5. The registration deadline for the February 2021 exam week is December 11. Any individuals who were signed up for the February 2020 or August 2020 exams, but did not take the exams will NOT automatically be rescheduled for the February 2021 exam week.
Scheduling Period: After registration closes and closer to the scheduling window, emails will be sent to all registrants with an exam specific link to schedule your specific and preferred test time. Registrants are encouraged to schedule their exam early in this window. The scheduling window will be Monday, January 25 – Monday, February 8.
The following information is included in the registration packet.
- Registration Form
- International Performance Objectives
- Tri-State Performance Objectives
CCA Exam Cost:
International Exam - $248 (includes remote proctoring fee)
Tri-state Exam - $91 (includes remote proctoring fee)
Link to exam registration:
There are two exams, the International Exam with 150 multiple choices questions and the Tri-State Exam with 100 multiple choice questions. Both exams are timed - two and a half hours for the International Exam and two hours for the Tri-State Exam. The exams cover four performance objective areas:
- Nutrient Management
- Soil & Water Management
- Pest Management
- Crop Management
In addition, we now have four specialty exams that you can take which will be offered for OH CCAs:
- 4R Nutrient Management Specialty (4R NMS) Certification
- Precision Agriculture Specialty (PASp) Certification
- Resistance Management Specialty (RMS) Certification
- Sustainability Specialty (SSp) Certification
Information on the specialty exams is linked from the exam page here: https://www.certifiedcropadviser.org/exams.
Click here to learn more about the CCA Exams from the American Society of Agronomy.
All CCA Exam questions can be directed to certification@sciencesocieties.org.
CCA Links
Tri-State Performance Objectives
The Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Program is an educational program with two main goals: to certify individuals who have passed a minimum competency examination and to establish a mechanism of continuing education for those already certified.
Technical Service Provider Program (TSP)
Technical service providers (TSPs) offer services to agricultural producers such as farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners on behalf of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). TSPs help these producers plan, design, and implement conservation practices or develop conservation activity plans to improve agricultural operations.
American Society of Agronomy
The American Society of Agronomy (ASA) is a progressive international scientific and professional society that empowers scientists, educators, and practitioners in developing, disseminating, and applying agronomic solutions to feed and sustain the world.
Ohio Certified Crop Adviser of the Year Award
The Ohio Certified Crop Adviser of the Year award was designed to recognize individuals who are highly motivated, deliver exceptional customer service for farmer clients in nutrient management, soil and water management, integrated pest management and crop production and have contributed substantially to the exchange of ideas and the transfer of agronomic knowledge within the agricultural industry in Ohio.
Congratulations Wesley Haun - 2020 CCA of the Year!
Tiger-Sul Products, LLC - West Liberty, Ohio
Past Award Recipients:
2019
Don Boehm, Legacy Farmers Cooperative
2018
John Fritz, The Andersons, Inc.
2017
Timothy Berning, Precision Agri-Services, Inc.
2016
Matthew VanTillburg, VanTillburg Farms
2015
Chuck Gates, Seed Consultants Inc.
2014
Joe Nester, Nester Ag. LLC
2013
Melvin Lahmers, TMK Farm Service
2012
Mike Dailey, Independent Consultant
2009
Dave Moroschan, S & D Application, LLC
2008
Jeff Howard, Harvest Land Coop
2007
William Gombash, Berket Farm Center
2006
Roger Butts, Agro Serve Consulting
2005
Bill McDonald, Champaign Landmark
2004
Bill Lehmkuhl, Precision Agri-Services, Inc.
2003
David Scheiderer, Intergrated Ag Services
(also National AFBF Winner)
Ohio Certified Crop Advisor Board Members
Logan HaakeChair | Clint NesterVice Chair |
Jonah JohnsonPast Chair | Larry AntoschAppointed |
Sam CusterAppointed | Matt DeatonBoard Liaison |
Jason HartschuhDirector | Greg LaBargeEx-Officio |
Melvin LahmersDirector | Matt LaneAppointed |
Alex Lindsey, PhDAppointed | Grace LookerDirector |
Robert W. Mullen, PhDEx-Officio | Kevin OtteDirector |
Mary Ann RoseEx-Officio | Eric SchwabAppointed |
William UrbanowiczDirector | Harold WattersEx-Officio |
Rick WilsonAppointed |
